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Mary Ellen Strange to Samuel May Strange 30 April 1861 Reigate 30.4.61 Dear Sam, It is such a season since I wrote to thee that unless Gertrude has treated thee better, I am afraid thou art very much behind in the news of the day.- In the first place Papa has been up in these parts & is now at Tottenham. Although it is very nice to see him again and find him looking pretty well, yet the cause of his coming was too unpleasant to render his visit altogether a comfortable one. Thou remembers Neale of Marston; well, he has issued Papa with a Writ and Mr Edwards advised him to get out of Herefordshire and out of his way for a time whilst they tried to settle the matter. So Papa has been here for a fortnight and the business is not yet settled; I can't think what will be the end of it but as soon as I hear anything I will let thee know, as I am sure thou wilt be anxious. When Papa first came up, he was looking miserably thin, and his whiskers were outrageous, but we contrived to fatten him a little here & he really looked pretty much as he used to.- How I wish we could get settled somewhere again, but I see no chance of it at present. Papa is wishing to be able to go back into Herefordshire for a few months and superintend Aunt Mary's farm as she has now no one there, but as this is not bringing in anything, of course he does not look to staying there long. Walter's wedding is to take place on fourth day week; I was invited to be present but with this unpleasant business hanging over us, I did not feel inclined to go & so have declined. Ted came down here on first day week to see Papa & we thought him looking very well. His writing is beautiful, improved I think since he has been in London. How dost thou get on? I hope thou wilt look out sharp for any higher situation at Robson's that may be vacant. I shall go away from here in about a fortnight as Henry & Bessie White with Ellen and the baby & nurse are coming and there will not be room for me; I am not sure where I shall go to, but probably to P.T.C.[Pear Tree Cottage?] Uncle Francis has taken a house in the Isle of Wight for the six month so as to have a large family party there, I shall then return here to take care of the house. I hope thou sometimes writes to Dory & Annie; I understand Dory has got down at the examinations and Annie is afraid she shall lose her place which is the second in the school. We are house-cleaning here & very busy but I could not feel easy to delay writing to thee any longer. Frank has taken a very good likeness of me & given me two prints from it, but Papa has one, & Margaret asked for one, so I have not one for thee.- Willie is going to Walter's [son of Charles May] wedding as his "best man", Uncle & Aunt are asked, but Aunt does not feel equal to going. I shall be very glad to hear from thee, when thou can write. With dearest love Mary Ellen. Envelope: penny red S.M.Strange REIGATE SAFFRON WALDEN care of Robson & Greene 30.4.1861 1.5.1861 Saffron Walden Essex

30 April 1861

From: 1861 To: 1861

No. of pieces: 2

paper and envelope

item

Strange, Mary Ellen,
Strange, Samuel May,
Strange, Gertrude,
Edwards,
Neale,
Robson & Greene,
May, Walter,
Strange, Edward,
White, Henry,
White, Bessie,
May, Francis,
Strange, Theodore,
Strange, Annie May,
Strange, Edward Harris,
May, Margaret Sims,
May, Charles

business, Robson & Greene, photography, , writs, health, MARRIAGE, MARSTON MORETAINE, Tottenham, Herefordshire, Reigate [Surrey], Isle of Wight, London, Saffron Walden