Reference
Z629/15
Title
Letter from John Turner, baker of Milton to Thomas Turner, St Andrews, New Brunswick, British North America
1 sheet
Sending a small parcel via Mr Mann, who John met
won't send seeds as does not know if Thomas still keeps a garden Mrs Pain seriously ill
John had bad cold - can just weigh off a batch of dough
March wet and bad floods as a result
Thinks Whigs will 'do' for corrupt Church of England
Goes on to attack Church and village parsons with their 'sham zeal' Mr Mann will tell him trade in a better state in England - wheat 6-7 shillings per bushel
New Poor Law means manufacturers sending for families from the over populous districts
"several have past thro 'here from the Ampthill Union to Derby - some have gone into Lancashire" Poor Rates down - will save Father £25 pa.
'There are some defects and much oppression in the New Poor Laws .... An alteration was necessary and who could legislate in such a mighty work to perfection, yet the Wigs being in office have the honour of the thing (ie) of starving many to death which during the Winter has absolutely been the case. Yet Wigs and Tories have equally the sin of starvation lying at their door for both alike held up their hands for the Amended Poor Law Bill'
If amended New Poor Law will produce good not evil. Old and helpless dealt too hardly with.
Many parish officers extremely callous. Guardians too powerful, poor next to none means of redress
'Yet the able bodied now begin to see the propriety of thinking about providing for themselves and it is high time they did'.
Mr Mann's 'a sensible and intelligent gentleman', will tell him about 'our Railway enthusiasm'.
Does not think there will be sufficient money for Thomas's proposed railway suggests Thomas makes winter visit to England Maid servant using fact Elizabeth ill to rob father
Father won't interfere, mind on his accounts for the Turnpike Commissioners.
'No doubt he keeps one girl and her bastard - the next girl came here laughing to Eli and said her master had given her 6d in his bedroom .... and I have a great notion he has been very good to his present maid, if she is a maid.
Date free text
16 Mar 1836
Production date
From: 1836 To: 1836
Level of description
item