Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    Z506/3/14/3
  • Title
    Letter: John Field to father
  • Date free text
    30 Apr 1871
  • Production date
    From: 1871 To: 1871
  • Scope and Content
    Often regrets sorrow he has caused him. Will continue a total abstainer. Can trace all troubles and hardships of life to besting sin, drink. Everything he had undertaken would have prospered if he had kept sober. 'I now bless the day you thought of Australia as our future home'. If he had stayed in England, would have continued in old courses. Attends Primitive Methodist new connexion church. From time he left home until he got married, never entered a place of worship. Same 'til about 12 months ago. Now attends regularly. 'They preach one, and the only way whereby sinners may be saved, viz through the belief in the complete and finished sacrifice of the Son of God'. Needs his prayers as much as ever. 'I know I am no ordinary sinner'. Still saw sharpening. 'It was a bright idea of yours starting as jobbing gunmaker'. 2 in a few years have made a fortune. Has spent 3 days with Marianne at Geelong. Her medical man advises a liberal diet with porter daily. 'She tells me she has been compelled to wear a mask'. She never has a moment to spare – after teaching her time is occupied looking after her family. Henry is a nice man indeed. He has purchased the house they inhabit. Marianne took their daughter for 6 weeks – the change did her immense good. Geelong is notorious for bracing air and healthy situation. Octavius calls occasionally, and frequently on Marianne. They have an income equal to Marianne, with no family, yet continually plead poverty. Henry Martell and Frederick Lowe have great difficulty in getting what they have lent him. He is a great lover of horses, which is perhaps hereditary. 'He is a very important man in Ondit'. Marianne says he is a very efficient teacher. There has been a fracas between Mr Welch and his partner resulting in Mr Wilkie being placed in a private lunatic asylum. Great event of day is arrival of Cerberus as a filibustering expedition was reported. Have been delinquencies in war department - 'Have any occurred at Chatham?'
  • Level of description
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