SIDE 1

Alfreton Aug 4th, 1858

My dear William,

I was very pleased to read another letter from you for West, and from my dear brother Will, though it was rather shorter than said and a joint affair too. We cannot afford to lose any of your communications. I assure you we will pardon you this time if you promise to do better for the future. Johns holidays began last Friday for a fortnight. I have not been home since Monday. Mrs Hatfield has been over and spent a few days with us, yesterday Sarah came from Ripley and Mary has been for a few days to the fair, and returned home this afternoon, so that all are gone and left me, except Elizabeth Newton who is not one of the most entertaining in the world. I heard Alfreton Fair was on Saturday last. It was not half so thronged as I have seen it, not many people with notice.

Several days have past since I wrote this above, and I now try again. Alfreton is today quite thronged by a gazing multitude to look at Cookes Horse Riders. There was a first cession at 1 o’clock today, a very grand one too, there were about 10 men on horseback in Armour,  For I suppose they acted Richard the Third and the Battle of Bosworth Field, and at 6 o’clock in the evening they drove 40 Horses in Hand. The town seemed fuller of people than on the Fair day.

Sarah came from Ripley to see the first cession but we did not go in but stayed out and saved our brass. I expect Sarah has told you about our sea voyage, and what captital sailors we are. I enjoyed the trip to the Isleof Man exceedingly. I pray I shall again go again. If John  cared not that I was in love will the place,  it is very well to go to for a change. I did not think the Island a perfect paradise nor the people angels. The lower classes seen exceedingly respectful to their superiors I thought. Mr Hatfield is first rate fellow to take anyone, so merry, and agreeable, we had some rare fun Will the New marines . I said we only wanted you with us, then we should have all sides I think. How are you getting on, I want to hear now of your own dear self, I want to hear the you are getting on well in every sense of the  word. Give my love to Miss Jackson when you see her and tell her I shall be

SIDE 2

glad to have a letter from her and will answer it as soon as well as I can, though I am not like Little Cowper at letter writing. John is having his holidays and I feel very lonely for I am not troubled with too many friends here. I suppose Miss Lizzie is thinking of leaving very soon I fear she is not what she seems to be and the sooner she goes the better. I think though she does not trouble me much. Mr Wilson called here on the Fair day, Mrs W did not some having and their little son to take care of now. Captain Holmes or rather Lieutenant Colonel (for he has been promoted) thinks of leaving the town, if he does I tell him I shall have to leave too. I feel sometimes quite tired of living in Alfreton and should vastly like a change for the better though. Do you happen to know of anything in any line that would suit? This is the worst quarter in the year for me, and always makes me mournful, but I must wait and hope for a good time coming. I expect Mary will tell you all particularly about the Church. I think it a very nice place and like the pew that Fastan as you call him alotted. I suppose he sent holes for parties to attend at different times, Fathers was at ten minutes past four Mr Pickering was somewhere about eleven and himself as right as one o’clock I should think and I have not the least doubt he was quite satisfied with himself. They have not got a minute yet at Northpool M Wild’s father was there

Last Sunday I had wedding card a few weeks since from Mr T Williams had is married to Miss Macfarlane. I suppose the old people, ?Samson and Elizabeth live with Bobby out of town somewhere.  I have written to Mrs Thomas and she has given me a very kind invite to be there. I hope you don’t leave these letters about to be read by others, it would not be agreeable at all at all. I hope to have a few lines next time you send and and don’t keep us longer waiting then you can help it we are always glad to have an American letter.How are you getting on in financial matters are you yet a capitalist. I have some thoughts of it someday but really some people are very backward at paying their bills and it makes it awkward for us.

SIDE 3

I should think John will write you a far more long letter this time  for he has plenty of time. You have never mentioned anything about the revival meetings among the Americans. I should think you must have heard of them if you have not been amongst them I think it as shine day the English too for there are mission meetings in different parts of the country Alfreton for one place. I went to one  at the meeting chapel at the Lower end of the town but the members are so exceedingly noisy so it is more than sweat and nerves and fear. Mrs Hardy has a brother in New York working in a factory   William Foster I suppose he is doing well.  He tells his sister Mrs Hardy she might do well there as it was hiring    they are so well paid for it.

I’m glad to hear you meet for singing sometimes and to have a little music. Perhaps you remember Henry Evans who is an American   the former I suppose has plenty of music too but he says the performances are the nasty vermints  Toad and Frogs which may be heard a mile off     a very nice place to be in it is  Ottawa City Canada. I suppose they have heard from Henry Slater again he is doing wonders in the farming line   perhaps Sarah will tell for she has heard all particulars from Eliza and Sam.

SIDE 4

I hope you will get some better ink for when we get your letters it takes us so long to make some of it out because the ink is so pale. I have not much news so send you for I think there is nothing going off here worth mentioning. Mr Colledge was here on Sunday and enquired when we last heard from William and asked how you were getting on. I think if William Davenport would but go to America for the summer season he might be made a genteel figure. He does not often come here now. To see him come into Chapel after milking on the Sunday evening so hot and red with his rust hair is quite enough for me.I think I have almost scribbled enough this time. At this moment some singing has just commenced which sends all the Toads and Frogs completely in the shade. Your Father would wish them to hold their yammering noise So do I .

Accept my best love and believe me

Your very affectionate sister

Elizabeth