[to aunt Jane Watson]
Feb[?] 1, 1891
Dear Aunt,
I send you a Cord[???] my Brother. I sent the Photo to you; am hoping you will get it. I was sending a Parcel to George; he may get you it sent. I Came back here on the Monday, after I was seeing you. George Come with me to Newcastle; we were seeing his Uncle John. He had been very ill 6 weeks before; he thinks he will never see Winter over.
When I Came back here, I found Mr Neill the Assistant very poorly. He had been at home 4 days, and got Cold and got very dry[?] [???]. Tom got the Docter; he ordered him to bed. He was Confined to it 10 days. We had a nurse Came night and morning; the rest, I and Tom's wife had to do it. He was on the top storey; we have 33 steps to Clime; I found it hard work. He went home a fortnight yesterday; since then was[?] a letter from him this week. He intends Coming back next Saturday, if he is better; he lives at Leeds.
It has made Tom a busy time of it, as he had the Books in keeping and most of the business letters to write. They were very busy in the work room for a great ball that CaMe up on the 9 of last month. There was 9 dresses they had made there; they have eight girlls in the work room; they all have their teas[?] every day,
I took my ill a week gone thursday -- bile of the Stomax. It was bakery day; I had to take bed. I have only been Middling since. They have a young girl Comes during the day; we have a large house; we have had 4 fires going.
Remember me to your son John. Hoping to hear from you soon. Let me know how you are, if you are still in bed. Your aunt[?] Conie is farely[?] weel; they send their regards to you. Hoping Phebe is weel; tell her to write, if you are not able.
I reymane your Affectionate Neice
Jane Gibson
[to cousin Phebe Watson]
March 13 1892
Dear Cousin
I have been Wondering how your Mother is, and if she be living. I got the letter that your Sister in Law wrote, write and let me know how she is. I have not been so week lateley. I went up to Eastgate for a Change for a week. The Weather being so Cold, I Could not bear to go out. I Come back worse than when I left. I have the Docter: it is my stomach and kindeys.
I had a letter from George this morning. There is very unsettled work with the strikes; it is all oven[?] trades; the place is feelling the affects all ready with it. Tom and wife are both well, and is kept busy. They have seven girlls in the work room, a boy in the shop, and an Errant boy and a servant; the girls all gets their teas every day. James and Sarah has gone to Oldham to live in the shop they were in before. James had a Place in Wales last year for the season: his Master said he would like to have him this year again, if Sarah Can Manage the business where they are. I am going to stay with her while he is away.
Remember me to your Brother John, and wife and famely. Have you had any letter from Sthepen: is he in Australia still? Do you ever see Cousin Phebe un[?] Marshell[?]: give my regards to her. Accept the same yourself.
I remain your Affectionate
Cousin Jane Gibson
[to cousin Phebe Watson]
Dear Cousin
I received your letters. Was glad your Mother was some better since I wrote last. We have had Ralph Martindale from America; it is 3 weeks since he was here; he Come on Saterday night and left on Monday morning. We had a letter from his Bother Tom; he was expected home on the 30; Tom had been seeing his Mother in Canada, my letter has arrived when he was there. They were very sorry that I was not going. I donet got letter if ... [several lines missing] ... night for London a 4 days trip; they expect to return on Friday morning.
The district meeting is held in this town this week. We expect a Minester to dinner and tea, 3 or 4 days. I had a letter from George, wanting me to go to Ja[???] next week, as there is gone to be 2 new[?] [???] to set up on the 25; they are preparing for a banquet, 500 is invited. I have not much thought up going. I intend going up Weardale soon, if I be any better. I will have to go to Oldham in sept: Sarah is expecting to be Confined then.
Joseph Watson is talking of leasing[?] Ling Riggs: he is gone to let his farm. You will see in the Papers that the railway is likely to go up Weardale. Ralph Martindale and Tom and Conne[?] was up at Riggs an Sunday. Whal[?] he was here, he was taken up with the Country that he left when 4 years of age. He took a Globe and put it on Brothers Thomas Grave, and gave 10 shillings to get it here up and left in order. He has seen very little of his Mother for 25 years; he is 700 miles [from] her home. She is fairly weell, when his Brother saw her; also sister Mary; they are living beside each other. Mary is living with her younger Daughter; she is Married.
We had a letter from Brother John in Australia. He had an Accident 2 years since, and has not been Able to work much since. He has been a Gold Mine Manager for 30 years; he has had to have a man to do his work. He is 61 years of age. He has a son and a Daughter Married, the oldest is not Married.
I hope your Mother is Ceeping better. Write soon and let us know how she is.
I remain your Affectionate Cousin
Jane Gibson
[to cousin Phebe Watson]
Friday morning
[first half?] 1892
Dear Cousin
Yours to hand: am glad to hear from you. I think your Mothers back will be sore with lo[???]ing so long. I sent you the Coushins we got for my hussband when he had to sit so long. I had to use them when I had a bad foot; Ii don't know how I Would have done without them. You Can either put warm Water in them or blow air into them. They have been Lent far and near. I hope you will feel relieved when you get used to them. We used the small one for his feet, when he was sitting in his Chair; he was Dropsy, and the Water used to run out of his legs.
I have been very poorly since I wrote last, but is some better now. I have had the Docter a fournight; I am much troubled with my stomac; it is very little I Can eat; I am living in the midst of Anxiety of every thing, and have not an Appetite to eat eny thing. I have been living a good deal on medicine and milk: it is very soon prepared; it is to boil in the milk three minitues, a little salt and Sugar in it; I after put a little nutmeg in, or Ginger.
I am sorry about Stpepen not been well: he is a long way from you. Every thing is in an unsettled state with the strikses. The Weardale naives has to be Closed to women; I don't know what the place will have to do for a living; the Iron-stone has been doing nothing for some time. There is many Strangers in Weardale since you left. Fanny Tindale of Lane hill was Married with Old Willey Featherstone son Thomas. He was out in Australia twice; he Come home about 3 years since. John Carick[?] of Cold nockles Died about Christmas; also John Whitfield of Justone, and Joseph Watson -- all above 60 years of age.
I am intending going up Weardale in a few weekes time. You will see in the papers a good deal about a railway from Stanhope to Wearhead: some wants to go to Alston. Joseph at Riggs has got in to be School board guardian: we had him down a fortnight since; his wife's Father is living there. Old Willey Featherstone, he is 80 years of age. Old Joseph Dalkings[?] up Westgate has been very poorly for many weeks; also Joshua Dawson is very like going down. they are standing[?] highest On the Pestion[?] Plow.
Has your Mothers any to Call and see her?, as you will have a dull time of it. The Lord has promised to be with it always ever at the end. Write soon, and believe me to remain your Affectionate Neice [mistake – should be Cousin]
Jane Gibson