Passionate Abolitionist and
Witness to the American Civil War
Passionate Abolitionist and
Witness to the American Civil War
Elizabeth is once again asking her father how he would like her to get home once her classes end.
Ashbourne December 11th, 1840
My Dear Father
I was delighted to receive a letter from you containing such pleasing news of your all being well; very soon I hope to join my dear friends at Eastwood. – School closes on Saturday the 19th Instant, and I shall be much obliged to you to send me word of if it will be convenient for you to meet me at Derby on the Friday, or whether you will come forward to Ashbourne –The Omnibus
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goes as usual three days in the week, and reaches Derby about a quarter past ten.
I am very glad you think I have made improvements in my writing, when we meet I hope you will find I have advanced in all my studies for I assure you it is my earnest wish to do so; we are busily engaged with Repetitions, in which I am anxious to give satisfaction. I suppose John has by this time, passed his examination, he would try to acquit himself satisfactorily – Miss Pidcock is wishes me to tell you that the flour you sent her arrived safely –
I shall so soon see you that I need not give you any
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further account of our proceedings. – accept yourself and distribute my best wishes to my dear mother, brother, and sisters. The Miss Pidcocks beg their kind regards, believe me to be my dear Father your very affectionate daughter Elizabeth Slater.
No envelope . The sheet was folder, addressed and seal with wax. The address reads
Mr. Slater
Eastwood
Nr Nottingham
postmark reads (ash)bourn(e)
DE 11
Elizabeth clearly attended a private school in the village of Ashbourne about 20 miles from Eastwood.
The school appears to be run by two Pidd00ks (miss Piddooks) and the learning sounds to be very boring by today’s standards. Thus “repetitions” was one subject and great attention to the disciple of handwriting was a major part of the expected learning.
Formalities and courtesies aside the burden of the message is “Father are you going to come and collect me from Ashbourne or shall I get the bus to Derby and meet you there?”
The letter was really one sheet of paper folded into thirds, addressed and sealed with sealing wax. This is year the very first postage stamp was issued in England “the penny black” but they were newly available and still relatively infrequently used.