X953/2/12/6

Letter to Mary from her sister, Elizabeth (Lizzie).

n.d. [c. early 1870]

From: 1869 To: 1870

Written at Littleton, ‘Tuesday night’. ...As I shall be busy Ironing in the morning I take the present time[?] for writing. I have had a reply from Mrs. Sharpe this time[?] saying she is very comfortable and would be happy to wait upon me. I think I should like to see her but want to fix about Eliz[abe]th going home first [likely Elizabeth Corby, a servant from Draughton]. Perhaps you know I am changing nursemaid. I have been in communication with Mrs. Miskin and today she and her step daughter have been down and I have engaged with her to come. She seems what I like; is 17 but short[?]. I do hope to be comfortable and able to keep her. She is not to have her meals in the kitchen but in all else to act the nurse-- it seems a great relief to my mind to have that and the other business settled. Have you acquainted[?] your Dr. yet? Of course I have[?] not. I was very sorry to hear by Mama’s letter today[?] tho’ not surprised about poor Uncle John. One more familiar face gone. I shall miss his hearty shake if ever I go home again. How are you feeling? I do suffer so with my back. Cannot walk far and have the cramp or something[?] in my legs. Your naughty husband. Tell him I crawled from it [illeg.] if I could I w[oul]d[?] making fun at our expense. Since I wrote to you Mr. Abbott has been dangerously ill; was taken worse a week tonight just after Mrs. William Abbott who had come for two nights arrived. It has been stoppage[?] and Inflammation of the Bowels. They had a physician from London but both Drs. on Saturday night gave up hope but notwithstanding[?] on Sunday morning the dangerous symptoms had abated and now they hope he will recover tho’ Mrs. Abbott says it is like one being raised from the grave. Hugh was up there twice on Saturday and they all seemed to have thought his end was very near. Mr.[?] and Mrs.[?] Merrifield[?] were both there and Mrs. William seemed head[?] nurse. I was up myself on Thursday. I am very thankful as his life seems doubly desirable[?] now. Now do send me a nice long letter in return for this. I think you might give a little more time to me. I can’t come in and take a cup with you so I can’t hinder you much, only in reading my scrawls. Mrs. Miskin made kind enquiries after you; she is also expecting an increase in March. but Farewell. Mama seems not just right, rather Bilious she says. Accept lots of love from us all and Believe me Your loving sis.... M. L. [Mary Lizzie] does wish so Cousin Arthur or Willie[?] would come over here; she often says can’t he walk here? Frankie[?] and she play at ball[?] nicely together.

item

Abbott,
Miskin,
Sanders, Mary,
Sharp,
Welford, Elizabeth,
Welford, Francis William,
Welford, Mary Elizabeth,
Wiggins

Reigate [Surrey], family correspondence, domestic servant, gastro intestinal conditions, pregnancy