10 Lorne Street,
Chester
Dec. 27th. 1892.
My dear Sister,
I enclose you a letter from our Cousin Jane Gibson's son. He makes enquiry about my mother's death. I have just written to Mrs. Gibson. You will see she wishes you to return the air cushions which she lent my mother.
As ten pounds of the money in the Store is yours, I enclose a note which you may present to Mr. Gibson, if you wish to draw the whole, or any part of it. You might want a pound at some time for some article for your house, and you would feel that you could get it when you liked.
It is bitterly cold this Christmas, but we all keep well. Ma and Kate had severe colds, but they are now better.
Mr. Eccles is over for a few days, but we are going in very quietly. I hope you keep in good health. I wish you would try to write, if it were only a few lines, to say how you are doing.
We join in kind love and remembrances,
I am yours as ever,
John
10, Lorne Street,
Chester
March 8th 1893.
My dear Sister,
Enclosed is a P. O. Order for £1-15-0 with which to pay your rent.
I have been very much pressed with work of late, and expect to be for some time to come. My wife and Kate have just gone out. The sewing meeting tea is being held this afternoon. I am going to join them in half an hour's time
With the coming spring I hope you will be able to get about, so as to look about matters, and arrange your house, &c.
What is likely to concern us soon is the question of servants for the College. Some of them are leaving. The Cook wishes to re-engage; but, while she is a good cook, honest & respectable, she has got a bad temper. The other servants will scarcely live with her. My wife has, therefore, put her off, until she goes over to Manchester, and sees all the servants.
We are all in good health, and join in love to you,
I am Your Affte Brother,
John Watson
PRIMITIVE METHODIST
COLLEGE,
ALEXANDRA ROAD,
MANCHESTER.
September 10. 1893
My dear Sister,
I enclose a Cheque for £2-5-0. My wife and I were in Weardale a fortnight ago, but I had to make a very short visit, arriving only on the Wednesday evening. Then I lectured on the Friday evening, & returned by the first train on Monday morning. Kate had to take charge of the establishment in our absence.
I hope to be able to see you in November when I come to Thornley, but I have great difficulty now in getting away from home.
There were some friends in Weardale enquiring after you. Ann Philipson of New house. She thought you would be more comfortable if you had a house in Weardale, where you would be among people you know. Rents are much cheaper there than they are in Seaham.
Next year I should think the Railway will be far advanced when I visit them again. The people are full of excitement about it, and it seems likely that their expectations will be fulfilled this time.
I wrote to Stephen after my mother's death, but I have not had any letter from him. There is some relative of his wife's who was in Australia for a time, & returned lately who had seen him. She said he had a large boot shop, and employed a man to do repairs.
We are kept very busy at the College, but like our life very much.
Annie went to-day to a first class High School, where I hope she will do well.
We all join in kindest love,
Yours as ever
John
Primitive Methodist
College,
ALEXANDRA ROAD.
Manchester
Jany 1. 1895
My dear Sister,
Enclosed you will find a P.O.O. for £ 2-0-0. And with this we join in wishing you a Happy New Year, and many blessings from the Lord. You would receive on Christmas week a small box, which Ellie sent you. I enclose a card which you will post, if the box and this P. O. O. have safely arrived.
We had Kate and Mr Eccles staying with us for a week or two. We have enjoyed their company, as you may suppose, very much. They went on Saturday to Tadcaster, where they will stay until Friday or Saturday next.
Annie, my wife, and I have all been in London since they went there to live. They are very comfortably placed, and doing well in their Church work. Annie stayed with them for more than a month. She improved very much by the change, and will, I trust, be able to get on with her School work, after the holidays.
We have been giving and receiving a few presents, mainly of books. Wilson & Kate bought me for a Xmas present a silver pencil case; and as our Silver Wedding will be held on the 26th of Jany., and they will not be able to be present, they have presented us in anticipation with a Silver kettle on a stand, a very handsome thing it is.
The many beautiful presents Kate got at her wedding set off her house very much. Besides these her own leather work, in various forms, looks well.
Our Conference in June is to be held in Edinburgh - to open on Wednesday the 12th of June. On the 2nd of June I preach at Earsdon, in the North Shields Ct., and on the 9th at Amble, in Northumberland, then on to the Conference We think of spending the week between at Whitley, bringing Annie with us. I hope to see you then.
With kindest love to you from all
of us,
I am your affte Brother,
John
P. Methodist College,
Manchester
Oct 3rd / 95.
My dear Sister,
I enclose a cheque for £ 2-0-0.
I trust you are keeping in good health, and now that the cold weather is coming are trying to keep yourself warm and comfortable. You must not, if you can help it, get the Influenza again, and to keep from it you must keep yourself warm, and get plenty of good food. Better use your money for these than to pay the doctor with.
I have been kept very busy for some time - going from one kind of work to another. When I was in the North I had so many engagements at different places that I could not get to Seaham. I hope to visit you at some not far distant time.
Kate and her husband were down here a few weeks ago. She is a good deal better than she was, and I hope she will soon recover altogether from the shaking she got from the Influenza in February, and will not have a return of it again this coming winter. Annie and my wife are in excellent health, and I was never stronger than I have been this summer.
I often receive papers from Stephen, but have not had a letter from him since I saw you.
As I was passing through Darlington a while ago I saw Jane Gibson; I also met her at Oldham, where she was hearing me preach. She was asking very kindly after you.
We all join in love,
Yours as ever[?] Affte. Brother
John Watson
Primitive Methodist
College,
ALEXANDRA ROAD.
Manchester
June 29th 1897
My dear Sister,
I enclose a cheque for £ 2.
We have had a very busy time lately, what with alterations in the College, & the Conference. We had six people staying with us.
The College opening was a splendid affair; several thousands were present, and everything passed off well. The College, however, is not yet finished, and will not be for some weeks yet. We are still living in a house, outside the College.
The next year will be full of work for us, as sixty students are to enter the College a month hence, about twice our present number. We shall need at least three additional servants.
My time as Governor of the College will be up a year hence, but it is probable I shall stay as a Tutor. It is not, however, settled yet. If I do it will be an easier position for my wife & myself, as I should only have to teach.
I had a letter from Stephen a few weeks since. Business is slack in the Colony, & he is in rather low water. I sent him other three pounds, which he will receive in a couple of weeks time. After I sent him two pounds some time ago, he wrote asking me to send nothing more, as they would have to try to do for themselves. I am glad, however, that he has changed his mind & written again. I trust matters will look brighter for him soon.
Annie, Kate, & Mr. Eccles left us on Saturday for London. This week they are going to the Isle of Jersey, where they will stay for nearly three weeks. Mr. Eccles is supplying for one of the ministers, and will occupy his house.
My wife & I join in kindest affection.
Your affte. Brother
John Watson
Primitive Methodist
College,
Alexandra Road,
Manchester
March 30th / 1898
My dear Sister,
I enclose a cheque for two pounds thirteen shillings. There is not full interest on £ 50 for last half year, as the amount had to be in the Chapel Aid Association four months before I got 3 ½ per cent. I hope you are keeping in good health. We are all well.
I am writing to Stephen to-day to send him a remittance. Besides the £ 5 I sent last Sept. I remitted to him £ 2 in December. I am sending him £ 3 to-day, so this will make £ 10 within the last eight months. I hope it will help to place him in better circumstances. He seems to have been, as I expected, rather hard put to it before he got my £ 5; but he says this did them a great deal of good. He does not seem to fall into much work. I hope matters will get better with him.
I was in London a few weeks ago spending a few days with Kate. She is 25 years of age to-morrow, so she is getting on in years as we all are. We are expecting her and Wilson down in the course of a fortnight. We shall have them nearer to us permanently soon.
Annie is getting on very well, sticking to her music and singing, and my wife is also in good health.
We have got the College about completed. The Clock Tower was opened two or three weeks ago. We have had a very busy time of it, but are now getting into smoother waters.
We all join in kind regards, &
affection,
Your affte. Brother
John Watson
PRIMITIVE METHODIST
COLLEGE,
Rev. J. WATSON, Principal.
ALEXANDRA ROAD,
Manchester
June 28th 1898
My dear Sister,
I enclose a cheque for £ 2-0-0.
My wife & I are going to Scarboro' to-day for a short holiday.
I am appointed for this next year to a circuit in Manchester. The Conference has appointed a young man with me to take all the week day work, so that I can come to College to teach. On Sundays I shall take work in the Circuit, except 3 or 4 Sundays per quarter. The young man - my curate - will preach every Sunday. This is only a temporary appointment for this year. Next Conference a regular & permanent arrangement will be made - probably with me. We have got all packed for removal, & the College cleaned. After we come from Scarboro' we shall remove to our new place.
I expect Stephen will get my letter informing him of what I have arranged as to his coming home, & the following week the money I sent and order for tickets. When I get word from him I shall inform you. I trust he will get something to do in Seaham, or Sunderland.
Kindest regards from all.
Your ever affte Brother
John Watson
11 . City Road,
Higher Openshaw,
Manchester,
Sept 19 / 98
My dear Sister,
Stephen & his wife arrived here safely on Saturday evening. They have had a splendid voyage, and are in good health. I am unable say when they will leave here. Have you heard of anything likely for Stephen to do? I enclose an addressed envelope. Please to say what prospect there is. My wife & Sarah Ann are going out to do some shopping this morning Stephen & I are also going out. Kate has been staying here for a few days, whilst Mr. Eccles has been at Wakefield preaching.
Kind regards & love from all.
Yours as ever,
John Watson.
Miss Watson,
44, Adolphus Street,
Seaham Harbour,
Sunderland.
Rev J. WATSON, D.D.,
11 CITY ROAD,
HIGHER OPENSHAW,
MANCHESTER
Jany 18th 1899
My dear Sister,
Stephen & his wife will arrive at Sunderland on Saturday at 1-41 . P. M. They will go on to Seaham by the next train. There is one at 1-40, but I am afraid they will be too late for that, & will not get away until 3-15 from Sunderland. You must arrange to meet them, or for some one else to do so, at the Seaham Station. I shall be obliged to go on to Newcastle.
Kind regards.
__________________________
postcard, no signature
Lymm.
Near Warrington,
Cheshire,
Feb. 1. 1900.
My dear Sister,
Mrs. Watson, Annie, & myself came here on Monday, and will stay until Saturday. My wife needed a change & I a rest for a few days before I recommence College work next week. I have had a bad cold, but it is getting better. Kate is very well at present, but is ordered by the doctor not to go out at nights, owing to her liability to Bronchitis
We are moving on, in other respects, much as usual. Mr. Eccles is [away] from home for missionary services. He returns to-morrow morning.
I wonder how Sarah Ann is getting on since she reached home in Weardale. You will, of course, have heard nothing further from her.
How do you keep during this cold winter weather? It will pay you to keep on a good fire, and get plenty of good food, even if you have to draw some money to do so. It will do nobody any good for you to pinch yourself. Be sensible in this matter. You will naturally feel lonely since Stephen died & Sarah Ann left you. But you have neighbours very close to you, and who seemed to me to be sensible, pleasant people. And then there is always the Lord to go to, & if you find Him there is then One of Grace & love with whom you may hold communion day by day
The war is all the talk here. There are many Manchester men at the front. The loss of life is very great.
With affectionate remembrance in which we all join.
Your brother as ever,
John Watson
11, City Road,
Higher Openshaw,
Manchester.
Dec. 10th. 1900.
My dear Sister,
I enclose my cheque for £1-10-0.
My wife has got, we think, a turn for the better, and is getting much stronger than she has been. But she is still very thin. In less than 18 months she had gone down in weight from 13 stones 5 lbs to 7 stones 12 lbs, so you may judge how weak she became. She never has been unable to walk about, but at times she could not walk far without weariness & faintness. Her tongue & mouth are still inflamed and sore, but her general health has decidedly improved, and she is now able to do a good deal of work. She is more like herself again, and can walk for a couple of miles or so without weariness. We were together at Chester last week for a few days.
Annie has been at Kate's since last Tuesday, but we are expecting her home this evening. She was not very well, partly through having too much work at home and in the church. She still takes lessons in singing, and often sings in public, both in our own church & other places. She is a very good, useful girl. I do not know how we should have done when Ellie was so ill, if we had not had her.
Kate & her husband are in very good health, and doing well in their church work. We often have them over, and are expecting them to spend Christmas week with us.
My health is splendid. I am thankful to say that I have never been stronger for all kinds of work than I have been this year. I still go a great deal from home to preach & speak.
I trust you are keeping in good health, and trying to make use of what you have, so that you may get some comfort out of it while the Lord spares you.
Wishing you every blessing from the
Lord.
I am your affectionate brother,
John Watson.
104. Station Rd.,
Swinton,
Manchester,
July 24th, 1903.
My dear Sister
Your last letter shows that I have somehow made a wrong impression upon you both in respect to my health and my circumstances.
1. What I meant by being weak was that through my stroke of paralysis I was much weaker than I was before, and unfit for any labour, either in the church or world, and also that through a partial lameness it has left I find it much more difficult to walk about. But I have no complaint either in my lungs, heart, or digestive organs. Besides since I came here I have wonderfully improved, and feel during this week almost like a new man. The only entirely incurable complaint I have is one doctors cannot cure -- namely old age. I shall be 71 in December, but the doctors have told me that if I am willing to lead a quiet life I may live to a very old age. But this is just as the Lord wills. I am ready either to go or stay. So you need not fret about me on this score.
2. As to a holiday by the seaside, we have taken a house for a month on the island of Anglesey, in North Wales. Annie and I will be there the whole month, and Mr. and Mrs. Eccles for a fortnight. A friend from Australia, Miss Howchin, will accompany Annie and me. We go at the beginning of September. This arrangement was made a week or two ago.
3. This will, of course, be expensive, but I must spend money on myself, if I am to keep in tolerable health. Besides, Annie needs rest and change. This is why I said we needed to be economical. I did not mean to say that I was hard up for money. I have still a very fair income, but very much less than when I was in work, both in a circuit and at College.
I am indeed very comfortable. We have a large house, with six rooms, scullery & bath room, and cellar. The house is well furnished, the walls adorned with pictures, we have a piano[for]te, and all that we really need for comfort. My bedroom has a good bed, with a spring mattress, and is rendered quite attractive with a lot of pictures. We have a large study, where I am now writing, with pictures and shelves laden with hundreds of books, a sofa and handsome writing desk, where I can read, or write, or rest as I am inclined.
I am, indeed, surrounded by everything loving care can provide me with. Lymm was a most beautiful place, but Swinton seems to suit my health vastly better, and I am very hopeful that I shall have fair health here. I have long walks every day.
I am afraid I must have been in a gloomy mood when I wrote my last letter - probably there was thunder in the air. I am cheerful now.
If I knew that you were taking more from the Store to live on, & so making yourself comfortable I should be happy concerning you. Above all, do not forget your father & mother's God. Pray to Him & he will not fail you. We all unite in love.
Your ever loving brother
John Watson
[P. S.] I have forgotten the most
important member of our family - Winifred. She is a bright &
active little lady who is now chattering to her mother She is
a great friend of her Grandpa. She would give you a kiss if she
were near enough.
104, Station Rd
Swinton
Manchester
May 10th, 1904
My dear Sister,
You will have been informed, I have no doubt, of Sarah Ann's, (Stephen's widow) death, on the 7th May and her burial on the 9th, yesterday. I was grieved to hear of it. It is another taken away from the circle of our friends. She has not been many years in following Stephen, somewhat over four years. Well, they have rejoined one another in a world, where they will have freedom from the many privations and trials they had in this. When one's friends pass away it makes that other life, which is "life indeed", seem nearer and more real. I feel that very soon by the course of nature our turn will come. In John Wesley's Journal I have often read of late this passage in respect to one of his visits to Weardale: " I rode over the great mountain into Weardale. But I found not my old host: good Stephen Watson was removed to Abraham's bosom."
He was our great grandfather. It was in June 1784 that Wesley entered this in his Journal, about 120 years ago. What a host of Watsons, descendants of his have removed to Paradise since then! I trust when our time comes each of us will swell the number.
As to myself I am very much better in health, stouter and stronger than I have ever been since my breakdown. I am also very peaceful and contented. Kate has had rather a serious accident. She fell while doing some cleaning from the top of a stepladder. She went backwards and had it not been that Annie caught her partly & broke her fall it might have been even worse than it is. She lies on her back in bed and cannot stir and it will be some time before she will be able to get about again. We are glad the doctor says there is no inward injury. Her back is bruised and weak, but it is a great comfort to know she is in a fair way to recover, although it may take some weeks. The rest of us are well, and join in love & good wishes
Your ever loving brother,
John Watson
Miss Watson,
7. Adolphus Street,
Seaham Harbour,
Sunderland.
From Rev. John Watson,
104, Station Road,
Swinton,
Manchester.
[May 1904?]
Your box of wild flowers came this morning. They are very pretty. Kate has arranged them very prettily in a glass bowl. Thank you for this kind token of remembrance. May you have a pleasant Whitsuntide. Swinton and Pendlebury are alive to-day with Sunday School processions. The Catholics have just passed by with Band and Banners. Wilson is going to lead our Pendlebury School. Kate, Winifred & I are about to go soon to see schools pass along Manchester Rd. The day is bright. Nancy & I are likely to go to Llandudno a week next Monday, to stay for a fortnight. Kate & Wilson after we return go to the Isle of Man.
Love from all.
___________________________
post card with letterhead
of his son-in-law, Wilson Eccles; no signature
104, Station Rd,
Swinton,
Manchester,
August 31st, 1904.
My dear Sister,
I herewith send you a copy of "History of our Church", which contains a picture of our old house, and portraits of some you know. It will, I think interest you. You might show it to Aunt Annie when she comes to see you. There is a good deal of reading which you will like.
I trust you are in good health, and doing well in all respects. We had a holiday in June, and Nancy and I think of going away again for a few days before the winter sets in. This time to a place called Grange, near to the Lake District. I am in very good health for one who is nearly 72 years of age, and who has been so broken down, and I hope that 8 or 9 days change in Sept. will still further do me good. Nancy will also be the better for another change to the seaside.
I usually send you a small gift in
the middle of the year. This time I must make it about Christmas.
Meantime, look after yourself. May you have every blessing. Love
from all.
Your affte Brother
John
104. Station Rd,
Swinton,
Manchester,
Aug. 19th, 1905.
My dear Sister,
I am wondering how you are, and getting on in your daily life. If you should need a few shillings I should send them if you would let me know, although I shall be able to do this more easily when I send at the beginning of September your other money. In the meantime draw as much as you need from the Store. As long as we have access to any sources of supply there is no wisdom in doing without what is necessary. I trust your health keeps good. As for myself I am in a very good state. I cannot take long walks but I get a good many short ones, and as much of the fresh air as I am able.
Have you seen Sister Annie Watson of late? I have not heard from her since last Xmas. Has John got anything to do yet? If you have any news of friends in Weardale or elsewhere I shall be glad to hear it. We are all in good health except occasional colds. Winifred is growing. She is probably going to School in a short time.
I must not forget to say that we enjoyed our holiday during the month of July in Yorkshire. We were near to a large population and yet quite high above it, most of it on a high hill, with a higher hill rising above us. It has invigorated me very much. We live amid so many people here and so much of the noise of mills and the railway that it is a rest to get away from it.
And now, my dear Sister, I must close. May you have a constant feeling that you have a friend "that sticketh closer than a brother", our friend & brother who died for our sins! Love from all.
Yours as ever,
John Watson