North Shields

March 22nd 1879

Dear Cuth,

I am sorry to say that Annie has been verry poorly this week. I got the doctor in yesterday. he thinks her a little better to day. she was getting verry week and hardly able to sit up. he says she must be kept warm and have any nourishing thing. so we gave the lodgings up and are staying in the same house until July when the new Minister comes. so you can direct your letter to the old place.

I had a letter from John this morning from Dartmouth. they sailed on Wedensday and have a fine vesel and every thing firstrate. he says the children are enjoying themselves. Kate has got acquainted with some shildren on board, & John likes being on deck looking at the sea. he says they have first rate acomadation new milk for John. they have a cow on board, the North shields people were verry kind. they got lots of presents before they left.

I hope Phebe has got a place before now. would you say in your next letter as I am anxious about her, John says in his letter Annie is not to think of going to any place till she is quite strong again. I hope if the fine weather was here she will improve.

we are very quite now. the girl left to day so she has nothing to disturb her. your Uncle Aunt & Mary were staying at Gibsons a few day. they were in twice. I must conclude as it is time for tea. with kindest love in which Annie joins yourself and the dear Bairns.

I am your Affectionate Mother
Jane Watson

Seaham Harbour

Oct 12 1881

My dear John

I received your letter last week and was glad to hear you were all well. I was thinking it a long time since I had heard from you, but I know you are kept verry busy.

Phebe and I were at Croft; but she does not get well fast as I could wish; but she had a good deal of waiting upon Cuth: he had such a long affliction, poor fellow. I hope if she had the winters rest she may get her strength again.

you ask me to tell you about Annie. I have never been at Sunderland yet, but I think she will be pretty Comfortable. Mrs Potts bought her a House of 5 rooms in Burlington road, which they say is a very nice one; and her Brother has sent the 3 boys to school; and Cuth bought some House property in Seaheam a few years ago, which will bring her in something every week, tho houses have not been letting very well lately; but the Pitt is getting to work again and the Chemical works are to be sold to day, and I hope they will get to work again soon. Then I hope Seaham will get into a better state: they have not been working for some time and things have been verry dull here. Annie's friends are all pretty well to do people and will be able to help her, so I hope she will be comfortable. her Mother called last week and she said Annie had been writing and giving you information about poor Cuth affliction & death. She keeps a young girl she had for Nurse before. her Mothers thought it would be as cheap as having one going in to wash and clean every week, and Annie would be so much confined.

we had John Watson of Brierhill in last week. he was down at Sunderland for a week. he told us his Brother William died about 3 weeks since. he says a great number of [folk] have left and are leaving the dale for America. things are still in a dull state up there. I had a letter from stephen about a fortnight ago: he is still thinking of Australia. I sent him your letter up, but have heard nothing more from him: they were both well. I never seen the Primitive M. since I came from shields. John Watson said he saw your article on Africa at his Bro Williams. Phebe Ann is still a Primitive.

next time you write, tell me something about the children, as you forgot in the last one. I will write sooner if all be well. I am in good health myself, but find myself growing old verry fast. I must conclude with kind love to all

I am your Afft Mother
Jane Wat[son]

Seaham Harbour

Oct 26 1881

Dear John

You will be surprised to receive another letter so soon; but more so to hear that Stephen has gone to Australia. well, I had a letter the day after I sent yours of, to say that he expected to sail on the 17th; but he was not certain -- it might be a month after, but they were going to have their sale of furniture on the Friday. wel, I got another on the Tuesday, written on the Sunday, to say they were going of next morning to Plymouth, to sail for Sydney; and asking me to write and let you know, as he had not time. I think they got of in a great hurry. at last, he wrote a forthnight befor, saying they were going to get of if they could; but I thought they would not be able to manage it. I had a letter from him on Thursday, saying they were on board and expected to sail on that day. they call the ship Forfarshire; but we dont know whether they got off.

the weather has been verry strong all over England. there has been a great loss of both life and property. I have not heard anything from Annie since I wrote last. Phebe is laid up with a bad cold to day. I had one last week, but am better now.

I hope you are keeping well. your summer will be coming and our winter. I would be glad to hear from either you or Ellie or Kate or all. Mr Watson caled last night, as he was going to chapel, and got your last paper and saw your letter; he likes to se all that comes; he was hoping he would be getting a letter soon. they were verry kind when Cuth was ill: he came and sat up Night after Night, and Mrs W sent him things down; they are very kind with us as well.

I cannot tell you anything about the C works: they were put up for sale and bought in, I heard, by the share holders. Sarah Ann has two Brothers in Australia, so I think they must have gone to them; but I cannot tell, as I have forgot where they are.

I must conclude with kindest love (in which Phebe joins) to you Ellie and all the dear children

I am your Affct Mother
Jane Watson

Seaham Harbour

Jany. 25th 1882

Dear John & Ellie

I was so glad when I received three letters about three weeks ago, and another this morning: I was going to write to day anyway. I put of, thinking I might have heard from Stephen; but I have heard nothing since he left Plymouth. you may be sure I have been verry anxious.

I had your Uncle over the week after I wrote. when he heard Stephen had gone, he was verry glad he had left, as the dale has been in such a poor state. the mines have been laid in again, but I heard Mr Beaumont and the commissioners had got setled. so I supose they will be working again.

you will have had a letter from Mr Watson; he would tell you about the chemical Works. the papers say they will be commencing soon as a limited liability Co. of course, Mr Watson will be chief again .

we have beautiful Weather. we have had no snow or frost, with the exeption of a slight shower at the begining of the winter. the rain tubs are all dry, a verry uncommon thing here.

you were asking me if I would go to Australia. I dont know whether I could bear the journey. it would be some thing awful, for a coward like me, too be three months on the sea. but I will have time to think about it before your three years are over. but I would not advise you to come home, as I think it might be better for your family in Aust.

I have not seen Annie or any of the Children for a long time; but they are well, I suppose. I had a letter and Chrismas card from Robert: his Uncl stephen and he coresponded a few times and he left him a book or two, which young Mr Watson brought when he was up in the dale, a weeks shooting before Xmas. he staid with Thos Watson of Riggs: they were all well.

I was glad to have a letter from Ellie, as she told me all about the children. she must be kept very bussy, making dresses and underclothing for the Children and herself: the sewing Machine must have been a great boon. she would not have been able to have got throug without it.

you will see in the papers about a young man being hurt among the salvation Army. the papers call him Emmerson Davidson, a converted wrestler from the North. we think it may be E.D. of Carnwell, as he was of in London, training to be a Captain.

Phebe has been taking Cod liver oill: she is a little better, but her side is week yet.

with kind love from both to you, Ellie and all the family,

I am, dear John, your affct Mother
Jane Watson

Seaham Harbour

May 29th 1882

Dear John & Ellie

I received the sad news of dear little Johns death a forthnight ago. it quite upset me for a day or two: it was so unexpected. I can assure you we deeply sympathize with you in your painfull bereavment. I have gone through it to often, not to know how parents feel the loss of their children. but there is one consolation: he is safe from all the troubles of life -- no more suffering or sorrow. I was glad to get the portraits. I think the group are verry good, all but Kates eyes -- she has been to much in the sun; John has been a fine little fellow; Annie takes well -- she seems a nice little girl. I should like verry much to see you all once again.

you will have got my letter before now, informing you of Stephens arrival in Australia. I have heard nothing more from him, and I cannot write to him, as I dont know his address, as he wrote from the ship. I hope it will come in his mind: he said I was to write soon; I cannot without directions. if you get a letter and write to him, tell him I feel verry anxious about him.

I hear things are in a verry poor state in Weardale: so many people have left the dale; there is a number of houses standing empty. I have heard nothing from your Uncle Cuth, since I wrote last. Mr Watsons people are all keeping well. we were up last week: they were sorry to hear of the loss of your dear boy.

the weather is verry fine: we are beggining our summer, and you will be in your Winter. have you any snow. we have neither had frost nor snow this winter -- a thing verry uncommon in this place.

tell me, next time you write, how you are getting on in your circuit, as I never hear anything but what I see in the C. World; and it has no African news. Mr Allison said he would send down the primitiv when there was anything in from or about you. I think there will be a good Increase in the Conexion this year, from what I have seen in the C. World. tell Kate to write me a long letter next time, and tell me all about hersef and Annie. she will be walking now.

I have verry little new. I am so seldom out, since Annie & family left. it will be a year next month since Cuth died -- how time goes. we are both Pretty well at present.

with kind love to all from Phebe and myself,

I am your Affction Mother
Jane Watson

21 Frances Street
Seaham Harbour

Nov 1st 1882

Dear John & Ellie

I riceived your letter a few days ago, and was verry glad to hear you had got a little boy, and that Ellie and baby were both doing well. Mr Watson was down with his letter and intended writing; but he was in the other night and said he was so busy just now: he thought he would write in a week or two, but sent congratulations on the babys Birth. his youngest daughter, Jenny, has had scarlet fever, but is now nearlay better. so we have not been up for some time.

this place has been verry dul for a long time. I saw in the paper that a new company was forming for the lead mines in weardale. I think Beaumont will be done with them by this time, but the men were declaring at a public meeting that they would have nothing to do with Lane[?] and Rumney: they would take no more bargains from them. so I do not know how they will get on: time will try. they have had a long time of adversity, poor things.

there has been tirrible storms at sea this last week: a good many vesels lost. there was 3 went out together and all were lost: one belonging too Mrs Sanders, our lanlady.

I did not get the paper with the babys birth. I think it went some other way, as I only got the last weeks on Saturday night and the letter on the Wednesday before it. the paper had gone to mardstone[?]. if you put seaham Harbour on, it would be sure to come wright.

I have had no letter from Stephen yet. I shall have to write to him to the direction yu sent if I dont get a letter soon. I am anxious to know what he is doing. tell Kate I will write to her the next time. she does write nice letters: I like to get them. I am glad you are going to call baby Thomas Paker -- it makes it both after mr P, and dear Thomas that has gone. I hope Ellie is quite strong by this time, and that all the rest are keeping well. Phebe ...

[rest of letter missing]

Seaham Harbour

July 21st 1883

My dear John

I have not written for some time, not knowing whether you would get the letter; and since I got yours, I have not been in verry good trim for writing; but I see there is a vessel leaving on Thursday for Australia.

well, I am verry glad you have got so far safe on your journey. I hope by this time you will have got to your destination, and will be happy in your new sphere of labour. I sent the paper up to Vine House to Mr Watson, with your farewell in, and he saw your letter: he said it was a splendid letter. there was an articile in the Primitive, which someone must have sent from Aliwal. he read it too, and was quite pleased with the kindness you had received; but said he was glad you had got away, as things were in a disturbed state, and you would have more room where you had gone too.

you said you had seen a Cablegram at the Cape about the Sunderland misfortune. I would have sent you a paper, had you been staying in Aliwal. there was none of Cuthberts Children there, nor any that I know. we have had a bad Set in Seaham with smallpox: a good number died. I dont know whether there any cases now.

Phebe has not been verry well since we came home, and I have had some pains in my legs. I hurt my knee and it has prevented me from going out: it is a great deal better now. but, you see, I am getting verry old -- I was 71 in June. we are going to try to get out more, but we have had verry wet weather latley -- rain everry day.

they have got a new Company formd in weardale, and are going to commence in earnest to work the mines. they have had a long night of adversity, poor things. I have not heard from my Brother latly; I wrote to him a week or two ago; I think he will be coming over soon. he intended to come before, but I told him he had better not, untill the smallpox was better.

it must have been verry gratifying to you and Ellie, the kindness tat was shown you when you left Aliwal. I was verry much pleased with Kates letter -- how well she writes, and dear little Annie. I would have been deligted to see them, and all of you. have you got Johns portrait? is it a good one? you must write as soon as you are settled, and tell me about your new place. we have nothing new here: things are in dul state.

remember me kindly to Mr & Mrs Parker and family. with kindest love to you, Elly and the dear children, in which Phebe joins,

I am your Affct Mother
Jane Watson

[P. S.] I get the Primitive rgular JW

21 Frances St
Seaham Harbour

Feb 5th 1884

Dear John,

I received your letter and the P.O.O. for 10£ last week all safe. I got a letter a fortnight before with no stamp on, saying you had sent a P.O.O. for ten £ - but there was nothing inside. I could not understand how it was so I went along to the Post office to see if they had got their part but they had not. I went again a few days after; they then said it was all wrigt: the money had been paid. He had got his part that morning, so I thought it had been sent in a mistake and it would come next mail, so I would not write until it came. Many thanks for the money: it will do nicely. The chemicals are begginning again: the Petrie's have bought them.

Annie and her sons came over one afternoon since I wrote last. They were all looking very well. The three oldest goes to a private school: Mr Cameron's. I think Robert will be going into his Uncle's shop after this half year to be a Chemist. Annie was asking after you all. She thinks you have forgot them. She has not heard from you for a long time. We sometimes have Mr Watson in. They are a small family now at Elane[?] house: only the youngest daughter at home.

I wish you would send your own address: I have always to direct to Mr Parker. I have not had any letter from Stephen yet. I wrote to him when I wrote to Kate and you and directed it to Harp Hotel. When you write to him will you ask if he got it. I would like to hear from him. We have had no snow. It is beautiful to day: almost like summer. You will be in the midst of your fine weather.

I am glad to hear your are getting on in your Church. Do you get the Christian World? I send it once a fortnight. What is Freddy Parker going to be now that he has finished his education? Phebe and I are pretty well but I have got rheumatism into my knee. I hurt it about half a year since and it prevents me from walking much. I must conclude with kind love in which Phebe joins to you Ellie and Mr & Mrs Parker and family.

I am dear John your Affct Mother,
Jane Watson

Seaham Harbour
21 Frances St.

April 28th 1884

My Dear John

I received your letter and P.O.O. about 10 days ago, and am verry much obliged. I was rather surprised to hear you were going to remove so soon. you will have more room, and I think it will be pleasanter to have a larger circuit, tho I dont think that would influenc you. I suppose you will have removed by this time, so I shall direct to the new place. I am glad you are all keeping in good health: I though the heat would have quite upset you.

I seem to have no news, as I have not been from home since I last wrote. I have been bad of my back for about two years, and have had reumatism for some time, so I am not able to walk far at a time. I hope I will be better after the warm weather comes. I have had no pain and am well in other recpects. Phebe has not been verry well for two or thre weeks: she is going about but has not felt verry strong.

I have not heard from Stephen yet. I wish you would ask him, when you write, if he got my letter I wrote last summer -- I directed it to his first place. I have not heard from my Brother latley. Mr Watson caled when he was passing by the shop, a short time ago: he said he was looking verry well, and that he was coming over to see me during the summer. this place is verry dul: the boat building is done and the pits are not working well at present. I have not heard from Annie latley; but Mrs Watson was down about Easter, and they were all well at that time. they are all at school but the youngest, and she will be going in the summer. Robert will soon be finished his schooling, and he will be going into his Uncle's office: they intend him for a Chemist. John draws verry niceley.

tell Kate I will write to her soon; she will be in her 12th year now; I thought about her on her birthday; I oft think about her, and wish I could see her and dear little Annie. Ellie will mis Mrs Parker when you remove; but a few miles is not so much when there is no sea between. I have never heard anything from Byker, but I suppose Mr Robert and family will be there still. the boys will be quite young men now, and Lizze will be a nice help to her Ma. I will be glad to have a letter from any of you.

I must conclude with kindest [love], in which Phebe Joins, to you, Ellie and the dear Children.

I am your Affectionate Mother
Jane Watson

Frances St.
Seaham Harbour

Nov 16th 1884

My Dear John

I received your letter and P.O.O. a few days ago, and am much obliged. I am sorry to hear Ellie has had such bad eyes. I hope by this time she is quite better, as they are verry painful and troublesome.

I had my Brother Cuth over a fortnight ago. he is looking verry well for his age: he was 76 last August. he had been up in Weardale in the summer with Charley and his wife. she was there for a fortnight, staying at Blackdeen with Whitfield Harrisons Widow, and Charley and him went up for a few days. it was their first visit, and they had been quite taken up with the dale. the miners are all employed now, tho a great number have left and a good many have died: John Watson of Brier Hill and his brother Stephen. we have hardley any friends living now in the dale.

I was glad to hear of Kates successful examination: it was wonderful for her to pass in every thing. you must take care they dont let her have too much: it might injure her health. I have not seen Annie or any of her family since March.

there has been a great deal of distress in Sunderland for a long time among the working Class; and now Newcastle, Gateshead, Jarrow and all the once bussy towns on the Tyne and the Wear. I fear a bad Winter for the poor. Seaham is better Employed at present: it was verry bad for some time, but the Pitts are working pretty well, and the Chemical works and bottle Works; but things seem so uncertain in those places. there has been a good deal of stir about a Railway up Weardale; but they cannot get it in this parliment, tho they seem determined to have it.

i think I told you about Mary Harrison going to marry: she was Married in Sept to a Mr Willan of South Shield, a draper. I had a letter from Stephen since I wrote last: he was living in Tarago; but that section was nearley done, so he will have removed. they were both in good health, but I think he likes the old country better than Australia.

I must conclude. we are about the same in health. with kindes love to you, Ellie and to the dear children.

I remain your Affct Mother
Jane Watson

[P. S.] I thought your new minister had fallin throug. Mr Allison said the men you had chosen were all appointed to circuits. what is his name? JW

21 Frances Street
Seaham Harbour

April 28th 1885

My Dear John

I received your letter and P.O.O a few days ago, and am much obliged. I was verry glad to hear you were all in such excelent health, and doing well in your circuit. you must have been kept verry bussy, having the whole of the circuit to work yourself. it will be quite a relief when your new minister gets setled down: your circuit will be verry compact now. I hope he will suit; I dont know him at all. our ministers both leave: Mr Guttrey goes to London, Mr Allison to Newcastle: they have done verry well for this circuit.

you will be sorry to hear your Aunt Agness died about 3 weeks since. she was quite well up to going to bed on the Saturday night; but took seriously ill on Sunday Morning at 5 o clock; and after suffering from severe sickness and palpitation of the heart, passed away at 4 o clock on Monday afternoon. it has been a great schock to them, coming so suddenly. I had my Brother and his daughter Agness over on Saturday afternoon; he has broken his house up and gone to live with Mr Whyte. I was verry glad, as he would have felt verry loneley when all his family were gone; and Mr Whyte has no children, so he will be verry comfortable. he was asking after you all, and was glad to hear the place suited you so well. I enclose his address.

I have been verry unwell for a long time, but am getting better I hope as soon as the fine weather comes I will be all right again. I have only been once across the street for about 5 months. I am still lame: I dont know how I would have done without Phebe, and she has not been at all well lately.

I had Mr & Mrs Watson in a fortnigh ago: they were all in good health. he is always asking if there is any news from Australia. you say nothing about stephen, and I have not heard from him since last summer. I wish he would write and let one know his address, and how he is getting on. he said, would I send him a Cronicle some times; but I dont know where to send to him.

I will be glad to have a letter from dear Kate. it will be nice for her having the school in the street: she wont need to go of so early in the morning. it will be getting into your winter. I am glad Ellie has got quite better; I see she is kept well employed, collecting and house and children. and dear little Annie -- I will never have the pleasure of seeing her: she will be nice company for Mama when you are all out.

I must conclude, with kindest love from Phebe and myself to you, Elie and the dear Children.

I am, dear John, your Affct Mother
Jane Watson

PS I had Robert in from Sunder land last week. they were all well then, but the children had all had measles. I send you their address. JW

Seaham Harbour
21 Frances Street

April 27/86

My dear John

I received your letter a few days ago, and the post. O. O. I was verry much concerned to hear that Ellie was so poorly. I hope by this time she is much better: she must take great care of herself. the heat seems to suit you and the Children: I am glad you are all keeping so well. you will have got my last letter before now: I could not write for about 3 weeks, I was so unwell.

I gave yo all particulars about Mr Watsons death: it was verry sudden. We had his son Eddy in yesterday; he is spending a few days here with some friends. he was telling us that Emmerson Lowes had died a short time ago: I think most of the old people are dead in Weardle. we miss Watsons verry much -- either him or some of the family were often calling. I think I told you they had gone to live at Gateshead.

I have heard nothing from my Brother since I wrote last: he will most likley be over as soon as the Weather is warmer. it has been a severe winter, and everything verry dul, both here and all over. I hope things will grow better soon: it has been verry hard upon tradesmen, and others as well. I realy have no news, with never going out and not having many callers.

as far as I know, our people are getting on pretty well in the circuit. they are going to have a new chapel at the Colliery. they are holding a Baazar there yesterday and to day: I am afraid money will not be very plentiful. I see Mr Guttery is getting verry popular in London, so he was in this circuit. the present ministers are very well liked: Mr Sheen is a verry good useful man; and Mr Loyd seems a nice yung man -- I have had him in once or twice; they are both Welchman.

I have not heard from Annie since she was here in Feb, getting Mrs potts rents. Robbert is a pupil Teacher, and he intends to be a schoolmaster; and they are looking out for a place for John -- he is turned fourteen. Willie, the third boy, his Ma says will talk about nothing but going to Sea. the youngest, Edward, is a very delicate boy. Meggie and Jenny are both fine healthy girls.

Phebe and I are both better than we have been for some time. after the New year came in, we were both verry unwell, first one and then the other were in bed. I feel better than I did last spring. Miss Watson is engaged to Charles Barkes, youngest son of T. P. Barkes of Newcastle.

I must conclude, with kindest love to All.

I am, dear John, your affect Mother
Jane Watson

PS you did not say whether you were going to get another Minister in place of Mr. Weatherel; or you would have the whole work again. JW

Seaham Harbour

Feb 1st 1887

Dear John

I received your letter, the P. O. O. and the two papers, with thanks: you are verry kind. I was verry glad to hear you had got your salary, and that things are looking better in the part where you live: I hope it will continue.

their has been a great deal of suffering all over this country for a long time: whether thers is any prospect of better times, I dont know. Now there is a talk of strikes in the Northumberland colliery; but, as I seldom se a paper, I dont know any particulars. I dont know that we will escape here any length of time. the men have been holding meetings: some want a strike, but not all. It is some disatisfaction about the non union men. it would be a pity, as they have been well employed all the winter, and so has the Bottle works; and the two are all they have to depend on, since the Chemicals were stopped.

you say you have not heard from stephen for a long time. I wonder if he has left the place he was at. I had a paper from him a year gone Christmas, and I have heard nothing since. I would send him a paper some times, if I was sure he would get it, as they wont get much english news at them out of the way places. I am glad you are all keeping well; you still keep Ellie bussy with sawing meetings; I have not got Kates letter yet. I was pleased dear Annie got the nice doll: she would be quite proud, and I think the cage and birds would be better for Kate.

I have been much better this winter than I was the last two. I have taken small doses of cod liver oil nearly all the winter, and have never had the bad cough, such as I had the last winter. Phebe is much the same: she does not get much better. I have not heard any thing from your Uncle since I wrote last from Sundrland. the boys did not get over at Cristmas: the weather was so bad. I suppose they are all well.

I must conclude, as I realy have no news. with kindest love to you, Ellie and the dear girls, in which Phebe joins.

I am, dear John, your Affectionate Mother
Jane Watson

Seaham Harbour

April 26 1887

Dear John

I received your letter and P.o.o., and was surprised you had not received the christian world, as it has been sent regularly every fortnight. I dont know what can have become of them. let me know when you write if they have [???] up. I am glad you are all keeping in such good health. I got kates letter and newspaper, and will write to her next time, as I am not verry well at present. I hav[e] been laid up twice since [you] wrote, with verry bad colds, but am much better now. you must not let Kate study to hard: it might Injure her health.

I realy have no news. I go none out, and we have few visitors since Watsons left. every thing now is Jubilee. the weather is verry cold here yet. I dont understand Stephen being so silent: he must have removed. I would like to hear from him, but will have to wait his time. you talk of Union, but I think it will be a long time before the old Body and you unite. I dont think they want it, without it be with the new Conexion and the free churches.

I must conclude, with Kindest love, in which P. joins, to you, Ellie and the children. tell Kate to write when she has time, and dear Annie to.

I am, dear John, your Affetionat Mother
Jane Watson

[P. S.] thanks for the PO. I send the paper with this. JW

Seaham Harbour

August 16 1887

My dear John

I received your letter and P. O. O. about a month ago; but was verry unwell at the time, and could not answer it; and cannot write verry well yet; my hand sometime swells, but is rather better now.

the weather has been verry hot this summer: it seemed to quite paralize one. there have been great doings all over England, on account of the Jubilee in Newcastle. they have had an Exhibition, which is open yet, and will be untill october. it has been visited [...] is well worth going [...] and the prince of Wales and 2[?] sons; had the agricultural show a short time ago. we had Eddie Watson, was in on Sunday. he was Inviting Phebe and me to go to see it, but I cannot go annwhere now but a cros the street.

I have heard nothing from your uncle for a long time, but he is getting an old Man: he will be 79 this Month. I am in my 76 year now; so you must excuse bad writing, and not being so punctual as usual. I got Kate and Annies letters last week -- how well Annie writes for her age. you did not say whether Mr Hopper had come to live in Australia, or was only on a visit. I see Mr Smith leaves Aliwal next year, at his own request.

I must conclude, with thanks to you and Ellie for the p.o.o. I am glad she keeps well: she must have had a busey time this summer. with love to all, in which Phebe joins.

I am your Affct mother
Jane Watson

[P. S.] [page torn] [...] fire [...] other places and miles of moors burnt: every thing is so dry with the long drought. the weather is cooler the last few days. JW