Page 1. Side 1. Portrait Format.

Alfreton June 11, 1858

My dear William

I received your very welcome letter and we were all exceedingly pleased to hear you were well. I think it is about time you settled down now for a while though I have no doubt the changes you make among such kind friends must be very agreeable. You seem to be first rate at introducing yourself into different societies. I had your letters on the Saturday and had to send them away on Saturday night so that I may forget a few things I would like to mention/. John & I have but a sheet between us so must make the most of it.

Things are going on about as expected here with very little changes.

On Tuesday after school I sent off for Ripley and got  up to Sarah’s just in time for tea. Elizabeth came down in a little while and then we all went to the Baptist Chapel to a Union service. There were some primitive brethren there without the shadow of a doubt for you might have heard them a mile off. They shouted so. But Sarah said it was nothing to the services held in their own chapel. Even my uncle Charles who is deaf was quite disgusted he said.

I return to Alfreton next morning and the next afternoon John and I had an invitation to Robert Williamson for tea and supper.  we both went also Mrs. Land opposite was there we spent a few hours very agreeably and this afternoon I have the pleasure of  of taking my pen in hand in the addressing of you.   I break up for the holidays in a week today that is next Thursday and on the Saturday after  Sarah and I hope to go to Manchester if my customers, as kate says, will come forward with the tin.

We think of staying till the last day of June and coming to Eastwood for the church opening for we must by all means see the see the awful Bishop Mr. Harris druggist of Nottingham fond? of paying my father visits on Saturday to see the grand ceremony etc.    It was the anniversary sermons last Sunday of Alfreton , Mr Grey preached then.  I just spoke to him as we were going up to Chapel so had not time to tell him you had not yet set a river on fire yet but I hope you yet do something to bath (?brag) about.   I should be glad to hear that you are in the way of making money for in this part of the world it is a scarce article everybody seems short of it, at least those I have to deal with.

Changing the subject, how about the weather now? I have been exceedingly warm here. Quite warm enough for Isaac I should think.

Well now I will try again since I am writing this on the kitchen table at Eastwood after a scorching walk to Piesanos bridge. I saw your friend Mr. Bullock at Langley Mill station who bowed most graciously as usual. I have left John and Elizabeth Newtons at Alfreton

Side 2, Portrait format on reverse of the first side.

We are expecting Sarah and your cousin Elizabeth to go Nottingham tomorrow for the fares are reduced as there is a market train on Wednesday and Sundays, there and back for ten pence they think.

Rudd is getting on too fast so they are giving him a kind of cuff. I suppose it is for a monthly visit on trial.

I am afraid you will not have to praise me for a long letter this time for I doubt for I don’t feel at all in writing mood some how I think it is because my purse is low and people don’t seem in a hurry to pay you much.  Give my love to Miss Jackson and tell her I should be most happy to hear from her and as for my writing I often feel ashamed of it but you know there is no necessity for me to be quite so particular as if I were setting copies for my young ladies. Since I came mother has told me it is a year this very day since you started for the west. We all very often think and talk about you and imagine all sorts of things about you. We came home and I think weeks and had an invitation to Wickerseys.  Sarah and Mary went but I did not. John went after tea.  Mrs. W was sorry she was obliged to be from home. They came home quite ready for their suppers hi came suppers I can assume.

Mother went there the next day to Mrs W’s party.  There we were Mrs. Brentnall, Miss Pickering, Miss Abbott and Miss Woodhead.  I will leave you to imagine the rest. Mother had said she had enjoyed it. they were all very agreeable and chatty.  Anna Pickering was there very poorly and obliged to keep her from for some days but I suppose she is better now love.  I saw E Webster this afternoon as I was coming through Alfreton. I just told her at first and she said I must not send any more there and I thought again and said she would send another soon she sent her love to you.

I dare say you remember what a job it is here when painting is about. they have finished the kitchen house and windows and made everywhere look smart and spruce.   and special May is not very fond of snivelling as she calls it but they will soon close.

I suppose the letters were lost in which we told you about Vincent  so it was labours lost.  He likes young men to be wide awake he said, and what o’clock it is, to a tick. Good is not it, ahh.   Mary will enlarge on that theme to your entire satisfaction.   Once more I will write again we have all been to Nottingham and it has rained nearly all day, thunder rain and have been at Mrs. Matthews for an hour or two. She enquired after you very kindly that passage

Side 3,  Reverse of sides 1 & 2 but extending horizontally across both pages.

at the back of Matthews was just like a culvert full of water and streets all of a swim especially Wheeler Gate and Lister Gate. We had the unexpected  felicity of Isaac Newtons company from Ilkeston to Nottingham in the railway carriage I am sure he tried to be very agreeable. Alfred Booth came and just said how do you do and such at Nottingham station. Today we have seen a view of New York, Philadelphia, Boston and New Orleans which we think are all very fine grand places. I do not wonder at your admiring scenery for it seems exquisite.

Store your memories well and take notes Mr. Dickens for you will have to tell us all about things when we meet.

I think my yarn is almost long enough for I have had to splice two and three times now so I’m must shake and wind up.  The next time we write I shall have to tell you (how)I have spent our holidays and all the grand sights that we have seen. Mr. and Mrs. E and Anna Pickering went yesterday to Woodhouse for the summer airing. I hope when you get this you will have settled down to work and have turned capitalist for I am sure it is necessary to do so.

I suppose Henry Evans has arrived in America He is at Ottawa city. He says so far the weather suits him very well and if it gets too hot or too cold he means to grin and bear and abide as he knows of no better plan. I think you hope not I think you have not had much to grin at, or for yet and trust you will not have without if it is something to excite your risible facilities. and then we will allow you and Edward to have a nice little guffaw or two. I think Edward Jackson seems a charming sort

Side 4 Reverse of horizontal side 3, also extending across full width of paper.

of a fellow so out and our out jolly good terrific.  I am sure we should be glad to see him in England and I hope as he says that if he does come it while being will be will be right side up with care and the same to you sir. . If he were to come I think we should soon have some singing. I can play now in two keys for the sol fa notation. John and I have it all to ourselves now on a Sunday generally for Sarah comes home oftener now than to Alfreton now on Sunday generally now more profitable to do so.  No place like home my boy. What think you of it now?

Mrs. Williamson saw the letters you sent and she cannot imagine what we can all find to say. There may be little sense in mine but I am afraid you may think them a good deal of nonsense. But certainly there less ?space  where you were at home formerly where we do not have school thorough laughs so often when we come home as when the absent one was with us. But we must to meet again after a time and then it will be a glad meeting

But I am very glad you went for I think it has done you good for you never complain of your eyes now. I have not yet written to Mr. Simmons. perhaps I may do it when I have time. But such important personages as yourself must be attended to. I think you’ll have to excuse Father from writing for you know he’s not first rate at hatch ups as we are.

Accept my best love and Father and Mothers and believe me

your loving sister

Elizabeth.