15 Prospect Terrace
Byker Br
[Newcastle?]
Nov 29th. [18]74
My dear Phebe
You will have thought me long in writing. I have wondered sometimes how you got home from the dale. I got the things all here, it took me all the week to air them. I had all the quilts out and linen. I packed them all well in again and put them on the attic. I sold the blankets and beds, they did not bring very much. I will send you a bill, then you will see what they sold for then. you may tell me how much you paid in the dale. What you gave Betsy Pattinson and the carriage to Stanhope. then I will pay half of it, and give you half of what I got at the sale of the beds. please to write soon and let me know, then we will get settled. there is no demand for old china now, so I am going to keep them a while longer. I got two or three things broken in coming, but I am going to get some cement and mend them.
I had a letter from mother yesterday. she is quite well. she was very much dissapointed that we did not go to see her, but I told her the reason why we could not. I sent her a black cap and three chrochet [sic] ones when Ellie was here. she was very pleased over them. when you were in the dale, did stephens wife get her hat that I sent. I have wrote twice to them, but they have never wrote back, so I am afraid she has not liked it. will you tell me if you saw it and if it suited.
now I must close as I have some more letters to write. I have got a pretty grey cloth costume, double breasted and two rows of bright buttons down the front and black velvet cuffs and collar. it looks beautifull with my bright belt, and last week I got a pretty gold chain for my watch. I had them on Sunday, they looked well. I am going to try and save next a few pounds. I have got my wages raised to 12£ now, so that is a help. will you write soon and let me know how you are getting and how your clothes. did they like the things I got you when you were over. With kind love to you, I remain your dear sister Annie.
15 Prospect Terrace
[Newcastle?]
May 21st. /[18]76.
My dear Phebe
I have been long in writing, but you must excuse me as we have been very busy cleaning, and after I got done I felt so tired that I could not write a letter. I was at the town one day with Mrs Parker and we went into the sale rooms and I got a cheap dress, a stuff one. so I bought you 15 yards of black silk at 2s-2d a yard. I thought it would never come wrong, it was so cheap, it will make you a ...
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... dear sister ... I thought I would never have the pleasure of writing to you again, but however I am thankfull I have been spared a little longer. I am not very strong. I have to take great care now. goodbye dear Phebe. I will try and write soon again.