Green Brier Nr Newton Hamilton

Mifflin County Pa

May 4/58

My dear Sister Elizth,

You will perceive by the above address that I have migrated out west some little distance I left Reading on Monday Morning at 10 am reached Harrisburgh about12 1/2 o clock then got on board the Cars on the Pennsylvania Railroad and arrived at Newton H. At 5 p.m. and went the reg, big, tea, pot [?regular, big, teapot] all the time so you may guess it is above a hundred miles   I made enquirey for Thomas Murfin and was told it was about 2 1/2 miles so I started and reached the house in something like eighty consecutive minutes, and I think as a general thing I’m not so long in walking that distance but as you are aware this is a big country and such a deal of land about the people perhaps think they may as well give a fellow good measure when he is going to tramp a mile or two. but as soon as ever I reached here and they were glad to see me although Thomas was not at home but they expect him to night then I expect to do a little in the clocking business.  His wife is a Derbyshire woman I could very soon perceive she seems to stick to her old lingo such as “havnex donner”, and most of the other Derbyshire slang that is spoken, not with Lindlay Murray and a great many others have very ably & clearly elucidated the impropriety of using such expressions  perhaps she never had an interview with Mr Murray [we guess was a school teacher] in any shape or form so that is probably the reason she sets him at defiance   She is me of the old school keeps the wheel agoing and spins her own Jersey she sat against the window that looks down the road I had to come to the house so she told her daughter to look who that Gent was that was coming and wondered if it was me and sure enough it was.   They lived at Muggington before they came here and know

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all the places round Heage “talk” Belper , Alfreton, Derby and lots of other places that I need not enumerate. You have written me a rare long letter my dear Tetty [we guess that this name was originated by Betty spoken as a child and continued to be used affectionately by the family thereafter) for which I thank you but can not promise you one so long in return because you know I must write to you all and not have a coat of many colors you understand   You may write to Mr Simmeons if you will and tell him I am well and give my very best respects to him, I knew that his wife was dead before I started, and you told me about Mrs Bowen before. I am glad to hear of Sarah being Mss of a school of her own. I hope she will succeed and I think when she lays hold of the money it won’t be squandered away foolishly. I am very sorry to hear of Mr Leighton’s having had to resign through ill health and also that his letter did not reach me. remember me very kindly to them all when you see them. I am glad the old cow got over her gorgement I know it is my Fathers way to shuff them as full as ever they can hold. I think he likes to hear them grunt when they are laying down and chewing their cuds ( if that is the way to spell it) You tell me of H Evans coming to Canada it is a question whether I ever see him. I did not know he wanted you   I thought it was Sarah. You must remember me to Mrs Bramley Mrs Williamson and other Alfreton folks not forgetting Eliza Webster tell her I am much obliged to her for the reporter that had the account of the Duke of Devonshire’s death in it   I read all except the patent medicines that was the only one I got of that kind.  Tell her I’ll give her a kiss for all the papers she sends wether I get them of not so she must keep count till I come back. Tell Mr Gray when you see him I have not set a river on fire yet but I have helped to make a fire round a tree to burn it down   Cousin Mary Jackson is going to write to some of you but she says you are such a good writer that she is ashamed of her scribble so you must answer it and let her see that you know how to ___ as well as write but write your best. I like to hear my Sisters praised   There is just room for me to subscribe myself

your very affectionate Brother

William Slater

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P.S I don’t know how that nook got torn off , so can’t tell you