Reference
X953/3/1
Title
Letter to Mr. and Mrs. John Goff from the Reverend George Bull Phillips and his wife, Ann [née Everitt].
Date free text
14 June 1839
Production date
From: 1839 To: 1839
Scope and Content
By his own account [see his diary, ref. X242/3/3], G.B. Phillips started having trouble speaking in the spring of 1839 and spent most of the time from then until the autumn at Ramsgate, under doctor’s orders, with Ann and their daughter Mary (the ‘Polly’ in this letter, not with them at the time of writing). 'Mr. Josiah' is possibly Josiah Bull, a Congregational minister at Newport Pagnell at the time.
Written at Ramsgate.
[Letter begins in Mr. Phillips’ hand]
My dear Brother,
I knew you and other friends would like early to how [sic] we are getting on so I thought you should hear soon. I found Mr.[?] Bull at home but not Mr. Josiah[?] [fragmented]. I told [him] I wished very much if he could manage it to have the sacrament administered by him during my absence. He said he hardly knew how it could be done for Mr. Josiah was gone to London and it was rather uncertain as to his arrangements respecting the Sabbaths. I find Mr. Josiah is very shortly to be married I think at the beginging [sic] of the vacation. I asked whether Mr. Josiah would come before that period for I found he did not like himself to be out the whole Sabbath as he purposes[?] [.B?]being aware the vacation he said he knew Mr. Josiah would to go to Harrold if he possibly could. I told him you would call upon [him] when you were at the fair, now I think the only day that he could go would be the last Sabbath that[?] will not be suitable as that will be the feast[?], so you must try and get Mr. Josiah for the first Sabbath in July and if not you must try Mr. Lord[?]; but I must leave it with you.
When we reached Newport we went in front of the Coach and had a pleasant ride to London. I was very glad to get there and as soon as I had had some tea I went to Dr. Bull[?] and stayed some little time with him [illeg.] 7 or 8 [?; broken and blotted] I went[?] again[?]. He says I must take great care of myself. He wished to see me twice in order that he might particularly notice my pulse, my breathing &c. & c. He told me from the present state of my lungs and my health generally for he said I was far below any[?] work that in connection with the medicine he prescribed he thought nothing was more calculated to do me so much good as sea bathing and the sea air. He wished me to bath every morning for 10 days and to keep upon the beach as much as I possibly could and not to speak to any one. I must he says keep very still and in every respect be very careful of myself. His kindness was abounding for when I offered to pay him for his advice he not only refused to take accept any but he said if I had 5000£ per annum he would not take any thing for he said he had not a high respect for me himself but he knew that his mother had and therefore everything that lay in his power he would do in order to make me well. He wished me to write him in a few days and he says he will come down to Ramsgate to see me and it shall be no expense to me.
It was a beautiful morning yesterday but after we had gone about two thirds of the way a dreadful squail [sic] come on and upset nearly all on board. The scene baffles all description: men women and children were completely upset. I was indescribably sick and so was Ann but nothing near so bad as Mary. Neither of us were obliged to go down into the cabin but some time before we reached Ramsgate we were pretty well recovered. I did not feel fainting only so very sick and when my stomach was quite empty I recovered; the sun again came out and sea was quite calm and so though it had been rough on the way it was all right at the end. I thought it was a beautiful emblem of the Christian going into the Heavenly harbour; though a part of the ocean of life may have been rough all was right at the harbour. I could not help thinking as the sea began to get rough of what you will find recording[?] in the 109[?] Psalm from the 23[?] verse to the 31st[?; blotted]
[Letter continues in Ann Phillips’ hand]
My dear Sister,
As Mr. P has given an account of our journey to Ramsgate I will proceed to inform you how providentially we were provided with appartments [sic] immediately we assended [sic] the steps from the vessel a gentleman came up, and said he had appartments on the West Clift[?]. We followed him to the spot [paper fragmented; possibly ‘Mr. P.’] appeared to like the situation very much: a sitting room in front with sofa and every requisite, and bedroom on the same floor that looks into a small garden, a servant to wait upon us and with a view of the sea for 15s per week. We have taken them for a fortnight and if needful for a month at the same price. We have two ladies on the ground[?] floor with their own [ser]vant. Mr. Austin, our Landlord, does not reside in this house[?]; he is a Grocer in Queen Street so you will suppose we may be very quiet. Mr. P appears much more at home than I expected. After ten[?] yesterday[?] we took a walk towards the Chapel, found there was service. The same good woman[?] [paper fragmented; possibly ‘put us into a seat’] as formerly[?]. Heard a very good sermon from Mr. Beris[?] from those words in St. John’s gospel ‘Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is Truth’ [John 17:17]. Returned home and retired to rest early. We both enjoyed very great rest, rose early, took a walk. Breakfasted at 7, afterwards walked down to the Sands with Mr. P. He Bathed and from all appearance agreed very well. Mr. P. has become a subscriber to the Arcade; has spent most of his time upon the sands to day and appears to enjoy it. I sincerely hope God will be pleased to bless this means he is now using. O my dear Sister, how we were reminded of our dear little Polly on Board yesterday but how thankful did we feel she was not with us as she probably would have suffered with us as many doz.[?] of the dear little creatures did. Never shall I forget the[?] [paper fragmented]
I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Attenborough of Braybrook with Mrs. Richard from London on the pier this morning. They have taken a house a short distance from us. They have 18 in Family. I cannot tell you who they all are. They have not one gentleman. Miss A has promised to call this evening. Present my kind love to Mother, my Brother and my dear Polly with many many kisses in which Mr. P wishes to unite and respects to all inquirers and accept the same yourself from your affectionate Sister A Phillips
[p. 3 cross-writing, in Mr. Phillips’ hand]
I must just write a word or two over your Sister’s writing. I will write a letter to be read publicly when I have been a little while that I may [have] an opportunity of seeing how this place suits me. I shall never forget the feelings with which I left Harrold last Wednesday. I could not remove the impression from my mind that I should not labour much more in Harrold. I have for some time felt far [from] well; my chest has frequently been the seat of pain when I have not mentioned it and my fears for some time have been excited as to the result of it, but I will use all the means[?] and then so I shall satisfactorily[?] leave the result with him who does all things well. If I had consulted my own feelings I would rather I have staid at Harrold. The only charm that Ramsgate has is the hope that under the divine blessing the sea will prove[?] beneficial. With[?] wishing you and the other officers of the Church and all the members and the whole congregation much of the influences of the divine Spirit
I remain Your affectionate Brother
G. B. Phillips
If my Essex [illeg.] should go to Harrold next week perhaps you will take and put a fresh cover[?] up[?] and
direct No. 7 Rose Hill
Ramsgate Kent
If you can find time or your Sister will you go and[?] see Esther Crouch[?] and Mrs. King’s[?] lad[?]. I am frequently thinking about them[?].
[upside down, top p.3:]
N.B. Present my kind regards to Mr. Maitland and my thanks for preaching for me and do you receive my hearty thanks for taking the time to fetch him &[?]
[upside down, top p.1:]
N.B. I think when you are at Newport if you ask Mr. Thomas the[?] [illeg.] Student[?] he will preach for me one Sabbath in the vacation. I forgot it when I saw [sic] on Wednesday.
N.B. It is such very bad paper that Ann has bought this morning that I am afraid you will not be able to read what I have scrawled. We shall expect to hear next. Kindly remember me to your Father, Mother, and Sister and to all who may inquire after me. Be so kind on Monday to step up to Mr[?] John Rogers and present him[?] my kind respects.
[vertical writing on p. 4, with portion of postmark:] Please to direct No. 7 Rose Hill
[addressed to:] Mr. John Goff, Harrold Beds.
[written upside down:] Phillips
Paper is very poor quality and fragile; fragmented in places. Use facsimile in lieu of original (facsimile kept with original).
Level of description
file