Mary Ann Fowle was the second child, and first daughter of James and Mary Ann Fowle (Hill), who married in Stoke Newington on 23rd October 1823. There were three other children, all girls: Elizabeth, Jane and Maria. Her parents were strict Wesleyan Methodists as letters from both her parents show.
In 1869, she married, as his third wife, John Smith II, a widower whose two former wives had died either in childbirth, or shortly afterwards; he already had two daughters, Ellen (Della), daughter of his first wife, Anne Collins and Sarah Elizabeth (Trot), daughter of his second wife, Philadelphia Wright.
Mary Ann and John Smith had two daughters, Grace Marian and (Edith) Adeline. Mary Ann died in 1901.
Example Manuscript Letters
 James Fowle 1860 |
 Mary Ann Fowle Snr 1841 |
Letters to Mary Ann Fowle (1830–1901) from her Father and Mother
Ramsgate
September 18th 1841
My dear Mary Ann
We were pleased last evening to receive the letters from yourself, Ellen and Charles and very thankful to hear so good an account of you all – they did not come to hand till 8 o’clock, just as I was writing the letter I wrote yesterday to Ellen. Therefore I had scarcely time and space to let you know they had been received, the Post Office finally closing for the day at half past eight and it being, as you will remember, some distance from our lodgings.
We were pleased to hear that you passed your birthday on Tuesday last so pleasantly and that you had two visitors whose company would be so agreeable to you on that occasion. May you live to see very many happy repetitions of that important day, the eleventh (I believe) anniversary of the day when you commenced a never-ending existence – it has been a cause of thankfulness to us to hear that your throat has been better.
You may be sure we have sympathised and wish you on that account and, therefore, gladly join you in thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father, the Author of all our Mercies in this fresh existence of his goodness to you and to us and are especially grateful that he has, by his Holy Spirit, made you acquainted with his Love of the Source from whence all our blessings and lasting happiness flow. May he continue to bless you and to lead you on in the good and the right way. May you prove faithful to His Grace; enjoy his Peace now and his Glory hereafter.
Although it has no doubt been a trial to you to have had your Mother so long absent from you, I am sure your affection for her and the hope that a change of air, with the Divine Helping, would improve her health, has made you willingly submit to it, and I sincerely hope you will see her return better than when she left home and that her visit here will be beneficially felt by her for a long time to come.
Tell your Grandmother we all unite in love to her and thank her for feeling so much interest in our account and for that disinterestedness in keeping the attentions of your Mother for a season; a few more days, I hope, will again unite us.
The weather has been very delightful nearly all the time we have been here, only one rainy day. Yesterday was particularly fine. Ramsgate continues pretty full of Victorias and I suppose will continue to do so as long as the weather continues so favourable. This morning we will walk to Broadstairs and back between breakfast and dinner.
You will, no doubt, do your best during Ellen’s absence for three or four days next week (if all be well). If she should come along your attention will be necessary to both Maria and your Grandmother. Should next Tuesday morning be wet, Ellen had better defer coming till Wednesday as she would find it very unpleasant to be so long on the wet in a rainy day.
We propose, at present, returning on Friday next, but I shall write to Charles next week and fix the day positively.
Please to give our kind love to you and Maria and tell her to keep the cupboard sufficiently supplied during Ellen’s absence.
With kind love to you all and to Uncle, Aunt and cousins.
I remain, dear Mary Ann
Your affectionate Father
James Fowle
Tell Charles there is a list of prices of stuff in the yard, I think, in the top drawer under the back parlour bookcase – 1: beech 2½d – 1¼d, 3¼d and so on.
Should Bickford’s, No 4 Little Bolton St, not be suited with a house, which Charles will perhaps hear on Monday, they could stay another week or two (on paying rent, of course) without my requiring notice from them.
Should we be spared I have the opportunity of paying another such a visit in a year or two to this place or somewhere, it will be your turn and Charles’s to participate in it
Ryde
Isle of Wight
August 28th 1846
My dear Mary Ann
Perhaps you have thought me a long time in fulfilling my promise of writing to you, your Father having occasion to write to Charles, was the reason of my delay, you have already learnt from your Father that we have lost no time in circumnavigating the Island; as to its length and breadth and inland beauties, we are still mere strangers, having had only one ride, that to the lovely village and castle of Carisbrooke.
I am a poor companion for your Father, not being able to walk so far, as in the neighbourhood of Stockwell, on account of the hills and dales
We have abundant reason to offer praise to our heavenly Father for his preserving mercies, the early paprt of our visit was rendered uncomfortable by our not obtaining suitable lodgings, we seem now just to be settled at last after the great trouble we have had, we should not be despaired to leave home again this season, so I hope you will not think the time long if we stay eight or nine days longer, as it may with the blessing of God be more likely to benefit my strength. Upon the whole, I feel better.
Yesterday, we had a delightful sail to Southampton, the sea was so rough that General Tom Thumb’s mother told me she had experienced more sickness than when fifteen days crossing the Atlantic, her son Charles (alias Tom Thumb) was also one of our companions, which excited no small degree of interest; I shook hands with him.
He was very amusing in his ways, a chubby, fresh-coloured face and beautifully formed hands and feet; he was carried into the boat like a baby. His French governess was also with him.
Southampton is a fine old town; it equalled our expectations but did not exceed them. The Queen visited this town yesterday during our absence.
We expect Mrs and Miss and Master Storr to tea this afternoon. You would be pleased to hear of our acquaintance with Mr and Mrs Goff, they are nice people. Your father has made so many acquaintance that he seems quite at home here, in good health and cheerful, chatting with one or another.
I can assure you we much long to have you all here with us but cannot have all we desire on this side of Heaven.
We have thought it would be desirable for Jane and Maria to come for a week, if Ellen could have someone to supply her place, from Wednesday next to Friday next; for instance, Mr Gee or Caroline and William for a night, if she can; or Mrs Saltmarsh. It would be giving Ellen a break and I could entrust my little darlings to her care. Ellen would require nothing but night clothes and the others night gowns, pinafores, white frocks and best bonnets – to come in claret frock and black Spencer; also black mantles on, or if Ellen cannot find the claret, or think the green and white better, they may wear them but I had much rather they should wear the claret.
I think they are in one of the trunks, I am sure they are not in the great chest. Ellen must be wrapped up warm, it is very cold on the water. I got a bad cold in coming, stiff neck and rheumatism in my shoulders but I have quite lost all those pains and also those in my head and neck.
A small band box with a wrapper round will be sufficient; Ellen should bring an umbrella but no parasol; she can use mine unless it is in case of rain her parasol may serve one of the little ones.
I trust, my dear girl, you are drawing daily supplies of living water from the fountain of life, to refresh your thirsty soul. May the Father of Mercies, and the God of all comfort, pour the influences of his Holy Spirit upon you all, and upon us, that we may ever hunger and thirst after righteousness, for then shall we receive of his fullness grace to help in every time of need.
I remain, my dear children,
Your loving and affectionate
Mother, Mary Ann Fowle
On the same letter:
Dear Mary Ann
I wish it to be understood that Ellen and the little ones must not leave home if there is any difficulty or doubt of getting someone to stay with you and apply her place that would be satisfactory to us and pleasant to you during her absence. We only wish her to come in that case on Wednesday morning by the nine o’clock train and return to you by the middle of Friday. The little ones, if they came, would remain till we return.
If they should come, Ellen must take third class tickets for Gosport, where I should be at the terminus by 12 o’clock to meet them. The charge for Ellen to Gosport in 3rd class would be 6/6d and half that price for each of the others.
I have altered the days to Wednesday to Friday as I think it will not be the week for Charles’ long weekend and as it would give him another opportunity to write next Monday so that we might have a letter on Tuesday in case anything unforeseen should arise with us to make it necessary to put off him coming.
In case of their coming, Charles should go with them to Nine Elms and see that there is no mistake in their being put into a carriage for Gosport, otherwise by might be carried to Southampton. Charles will supply Ellen with more money than ticket money, in case of such a circumstance happening as her missing of me when she would have to go to Gosport pier and cross to Ryde to our lodging at 9 Castle Street, Ryde.
Your affectionate
Father, J Fowle
25 Addington Place
Ramsgate
1848
My very dear Girls
Your Father has this morning left us for a few hours, for a peregrination round about the town of Deal; he went by rail and we expect him home to tea, although I have little to communicate to you, yet I know right well, a few lines from your affectionate Mother will impart pleasure, not only to yourselves but also to your dear Brother.
We were much gratified by your sparing him to participate in our recreation for a few days, we only regret that you cannot conveniently have a turn, if our heavenly Father spares us to each other another year and prospers our lawful undertakings, we shall anticipate the pleasure of you both having a turn here, or elsewhere; we find our own home so happy and comfortable, that we seem very unsettled and uncomfortable for some days after we leave it, and are wont to think we shall never do so again.
Nevertheless, after a while, feel more satisfied and thankful that we are thus permitted to make such an experiment, hoping and trusting to be benefited thereby.
We had come conversation with Mrs Pennington yesterday, she had heard from Mrs Harris she said she did not know what they should have done without Charles, they found his assistance in looking after their luggage and conveyance home truly acceptable.
We heard Mr Hoare preach at Christ Church on Wednesday; he is so plain and faithful he reminded me of our local preachers, but so searching pointed and separating I was also reminded of Mr Dawson. His text was ‘Enter in at the Strait gate’. He remarked God would take care that no secret sin should squeeze in through the narrow Gate.
Thursday we hear Mr Bevis, the Independent Minister and last evening we attended a very interesting Bible meeting at the Town Hall, the speakers were two clergymen, two Baptist and 1 independent and our Wesleyan Minister, it is very delightful to see those of different denominations so united.
Elizabeth’s face was so sunburnt coming here that it is very tender to the touch and skinning, she also suffered a little from sickness. Your father and I were pleased to hear you had your esteemed friend with you and that you find Fanny tractable.
I cannot think much of your knowing that in the absence of Elizabeth as well as myself, you have much more to do and much more to think of but I consider such exercises profitable, it is well that young folks should occasionally thus be tried, if it is a mean of preparing them for future life, being case on their own resources for arrangement of household concerns; and what is still more important, as more duty devolves upon you, as the children of God, your petitions are fuller, your faith in more lively exercise, you feel your dependence more, in short you are let to lean and to trust more sensibly on the arm of your beloved and your friend, whilst engaged in the duties of each succeeding day, and at the close of each, to unite in raising your fresh Ebeneezers saying ‘Hitherto hath the Lord helped us, to him be ascribed continual praise and thanksgiving for the daily and hourly fulfilment of his promises.’
I believe your Father mentioned in his last that we purposed returning on Thursday next. We have not heard from your Uncle, therefore do not expect the pleasure of seeing him, we were sorry to hear of Williams’ indisposition, hope by this time he is recovered.
Remember us kindly to all friends.
With our most affectionate regards to you all
Believe me
Your loving Mother
M A Fowle
PS Jane longs to receive a few lines form Miss Bodnam
Clapham Road
November 17th 1854
My dear Mary Ann
Although I have nothing of importance to write about yet knowing that a letter from home is generally welcomed by the absentees, I proceed to write to you a few lines.
Your Mother’s letters would inform you that we arrived safely at home last Saturday at the time we expected all well after a dull ride as to weather, but the journey was relieved somewhat of its tediousness to me in consequence of a communicative person becoming our fellow traveller to London from the Tunbridge Wells station, who being fortunately well-informed and sitting next to me caused the later part of our journey to be more pleasant than it would otherwise have done in such gloomy weather.
This person was present at the funeral of ‘Old Humphrey’, who died at Hastings on the 2nd November and was buried there at All Saints Church on the 9th, the day I went to Folkestone. Had I been aware of this circumstance, I should almost have been tempted to have given up my journey and have become a witness also of his consignment to his last resting place.
Our travelling companion, who knew ‘Old Humphrey’ personally informed me that he was very partial to Hastings. Though generally resident near London, supposing that his recent illness would terminate as it did, he chose Hastings as the place of his last conflict and as the locality where he desired his flesh might rest in hope of a glorious resurrection.
His juvenile works went far to prove him today a pious man. You will remember him as the author of ‘Grandfather George’, ‘Grandmamma Gilbert’, ‘Wanderings in the Isle of Wight’ and many other pleasing and instructive books for little folks. May he now be of the number of those who surround the Throne.
We have now the usual November weather as we have scarcely seen the sun this week; rain and fog mostly prevailing.
I am glad we did not determine upon going from Hastings to Tunbridge Wells to stay a few days – it would have been more unpropitious at the latter place than at Hastings or London, since he country around Tunbridge Wells is the principal charm of that delightful place. We regret, too, that the weather has not been more clear and settled so as to admit of Mr Hall’s little family getting daily outdoor exercise, but perhaps it has been finer at Hastings than with us, which also we hope it has been for all your sakes.
I believe the rain has been much heavier in the country, therefore we will lose sight of personal discomforts and be thankful in that which will be likely to prove generally beneficial.
In the time you receive this letter, the week which Mrs Hall at first invited you to stay with her after our departure will have expired. We find by your last letter that she has kindly invited your to remain over Wednesday next. We are greatly obliged to her and as they are managing very well at home will leave the day of your return next week to be determined by her and yourself. Write the day before and inform us what train you will come by and either myself or Charles will meet you at terminus London Bridge. Most likely Mr Hall has a timetable, if not you can get one at the station.
I think there is a train that leaves Hastings a little before twelve, arriving in London about three, which I think would be well for you to come by, the journey to is not being much more than three hours.
Your mother has been sorry, especially as your stay has been prolonged, that you have not another dress with you – had we thought immediately on our return of forwarding you another, you would no doubt have been very glad of it. Under the circumstances your Mother trusts Mrs Hall will excuse the scant supply.
Since Sunday, I have been looking forward with pleasure hoping with one or tow others to attend the Brixton Hill missionary meeting this evening, it being the first meeting in this circuit this year. There is a considerable attraction on this occasion, Dr Bunting being advertised as being beside the speakers, Reverends Jobson, Wiseman, Rule, William Jackson, Ackroyd and others. Should the weather clear up, they will no doubt have a good meeting. While I am writing it is not promising, being both foggy and rainy.
Hoping to see you again in a few days and with improved health, and with united love to you and kindest regards and thanks to Mr and Mrs Hall and remembrances to friends at Hastings, whom you may again see (viz Mr and Mrs Phillips and Mr Cooper, etc)
Believe me to remain, dear Mary Ann
Your affectionate
Father
James Fowle
Spring Well Cottage
Cheltenham
September 14th 1855
My dear Mary Ann
You will be surprised at home to have another letter from me so soon, but as this is your birthday, and as I cannot in person have the pleasure of wishing you may happy returns of this day, I avail myself of the pen, ink and paper to do so, and to unite with yourself in offering our humble tribute of praise to the Father of Mercies and God of all comfort, for the help and grace he has graciously vouchsafed you through another year. We can sing of his grace from our earliest days, ever near to allure and defend.
Hitherto he has been our preserver from sin and I trust he will save us to the end. All the paths of the Lord are Mercy and Truth to those who fear him and keep his commandments, you my dear Mary Ann like myself have been the subject frequently of p ain and weakness, but we have proved even on earth that all things work together for good to them that love God, and at the last this note above the rest shall swell our Jesus has done all things well.
In the retrospect of the past year, I doubt not, but you have received riches and fuller communications of the voice of God the Father through faith in his dear Son, day by day you have felt his Spirit’s quickening power, and his consolations, neither few nor small. Be encouraged, my dear girl, in looking at the past to trust for the future. May the year on which you have entered be the best of your life, pray daily for an increase of faith, for a strong faith honours God; look less at yourself and continually to Jesus.
How sweet is this privilege that our lives may be one continual act of praise on account of that love wherewith God has loved us, in giving his dear Son to die for us. Oh, for this Love let rocks and hills, their solemn silence break, and all harmonised human tongues their Saviour’s praises speak.
Ellen and Charles went to Bristol this morn, though the sun does not shine, it is dry and pleasant walking after the rain of yesterday. Jane and I found this morn a road we had not traversed before a little more than a mile hence and we were interested by seeing an aviary in some nursery grounds – only a penny each for admission. Charles saw them yesterday.
Your Father has been very kind in writing such pleasant letters, it has been quite a comfort to us to hear he has got on so well. We should have been glad of a letter from Elizabeth or Maria to have heard how you three got on with school and household duties. I hope you have not found it too fatiguing and I hope Elizabeth’s cold is well by this time.
This air, I think, suits me as I am unusually free from soreness of the throat and cough. It is considered a very dry air. My hair never drops as it did at Leamington. I shall be very thankful to have another week such as this has been for Father’s and your sake. You will not find it so troublesome as we did because you’ll have a nice quiet home to come to. We have as much attention from our two servants as we can wish as to cooking punctuality and cleanliness.
Mrs Smith says she has been a servant all her life. You would be surprised Charles and Ellen returning tomorrow. I should have been glad for them especially Ellen, to have stayed till Monday but of course she will prefer having company, such a long journey alone and not getting to London till dark would be very unpleasant. I am afraid she will be tired going today and setting off tomorrow again.
With united love to all
I am your very affectionate
Mother
Mary Ann Fowle
Clapham Road
July 7th 1859
My dear Mary Ann
By the time this reaches you, you will, I suppose, be thinking of getting ready for your journey to Hastings, a brief visit to which I would hope, after the kindly prolonged stay at Mr Gough’s, will enable you to return to us and to scholastic duties invigorated in body and mind.
Your absence from home has appeared to us longer than in reality it has been and your return to us will be very agreeable to all. Nevertheless, we have, for your sake, been thankful for your prolonged visit at Mountfield and are greatly obliged to Mr and Mrs Mountfield for their kindness in entertaining your for so long and so well.
On Tuesday afternoon, Mr Root called here with a note for your from Mrs Root at Hastings. They seem to have been puzzled by our note to Mrs Root being dated from ‘Home Hill’, them not knowing there was another Home Hill besides the one near Camberwell and supposed you had returned to London and proposed going from thence to Hastings. Mrs Root consequently some London to Hastings timetables thinking they might be of use to you.
Of course, our interview set the matter right. Mr Root intimated that Mrs and Miss Root would return home about the end of last week. They had enjoyed their visit there and were occupying the same apartments, we think, that we had when last there, viz, 6 Spring Terrace.
Yesterday, the Southville school children, teachers, etc went to Richmond and the affair passed off very well. Charles and your sisters, I understand, did their best to amuse the children, neither of them going on the water. There was a cold dinner provided at a house or, rather, under a tent at the back of it, near the park at the low charge of 1/3d each and there were about thirty teachers and friends who partook of it.
The dinner consisted of fowls, ham, beef, salads and tarts and was very satisfactory and acceptable. Among the visitors were Mr, Mrs and Miss Tweddle, Mr Root and daughters, Mrs Champness and ditto, and Mrs Moseley and several of her family. Tea was provided at the same place at 6d each. I fear the entertainments were not very imaginative.
The weather here is very hot – July weather of olden time – but I presume it has been seasonable for the hay and corn.
Last Saturday night, about midnight, the rain came down in torrents and the road in front of us was like a river, the water not being able to get to the drains fast enough. The lightning had been very frequent and vivid in the evening. We understand Mr Spurgeon is to impress, on Sunday afternoon next, the death of a young man who was killed by the lightning while standing for shelter under a tree on Clapham Common in the manner of last Sunday week.
We are all her about as well as usual. Ellen and Ignatius were here last evening. Ellen seem pretty well – Ignatius has got the school circulars printed which are very neat and satisfactory.
And now, with earnest wishes for your improved health and increased happiness and with our kindest regards and thanks to Mr and Mrs Gough
I remain
Your affectionate
Father, James Fowle
They all write in love to you.
Clapham Road
July 25th 1860
My dear Mary Ann
Charles received your letter this morning by which we learn that through the kindness of Mrs Gough, you have been availing yourself, as weather has permitted of being out and, of this, derive what benefit you could from change of air and pleasant country scenes.
We regret not only in your account the unpropitious state of the weather but on account also of the loss already sustained by Mr Gough and the anxiety its continuance must occasion him and others engaged in agricultural pursuits. Let us hope that August may prove more seasonable than July has been and that the fruits of the earth may yet be ripened and safely gathered in, proving sufficient for man and beast and giving us fresh cause for gratitude to Him who is the bountiful donor of all we enjoy.
I had to be in town Friday, Saturday and Month, the first and last of which day and I got very wet with the rain, the latter day being exposed to it for about three hours. I had given it a thought a week or so ago of fetching you home, that is on the day of your return of going down by the first train and returning by the last so as to have four or five hours to spend at Mr Gough’s but I am not quite so well as I was then and am obliged to relinquish the design finding the fatigue would be too much for me to encounter.
I shall, however, be happy to meet you on Saturday at the London Bridge Station if you will let us know by what train you intend returning. There is one that leaves Faversham at 2 o’clock, arriving in London at a quarter before five – and another leaves at 4 and arrives at 7 – by one of which you will probably come.
Charles is gone to Richmond this afternoon with Mr Thomas to arranged about Tuesday next.
On Sunday, Mr Cocks preached for us instead of the Conference appointment who had not arrived. Most of the other chapels were similarly circumstanced in our circuit. Mr Cocks spent the day with us.
Last evening, I attended, by invitation, the open Methodist Committee Meeting at Central Hall – there were perhaps about 159 of our ministers present, many lay gentlemen; the meeting was interesting.
Tomorrow your Mother and Maria are invited to spend the day with Mrs Falmer at Gunnersbury and propose going weather permitting.
On Friday evening last I posted the Illustrated London News to Mr Gough and today I forward a ‘Times’.
Ignatius was commissioned yesterday to send from the City a knife sharpener to MR Gough – hope it has arrived.
Ellen and the baby are going on ‘as well as can be expected’, the latter is an object (of course) of general interest here – they all say it is a nice little thing but I fear it is at present very delicate.
The want of time obliges me to conclude.
With best regards to Mr and Mrs Gough
I remain, dear Mary Ann,
Your affectionate Father
James Fowle
611 Waterloo Street
King’s Road
Brighton
September 9th 1860
My dear Mary Ann
I write a line to say that if you hear nothing to the contrary from us by tomorrow evening, that you may expect to see Maria and myself at home some time on Tuesday. I cannot exactly say what time as I have some idea of staying some house at Reigate at the Hill on the way up and if we should do so, it would be about 6 o’clock but if we go direct to London, we should get home I think about 2 or 3.
Ignatius arrived at the Simmons last evening about half past eight where I met him, all well this morning and he, I and Maria went to the chapel in Dorset Gardens, North Street where we heard the Lewes new preacher. His text ‘You are my portion, O Lord’. A good sermon and an attentive company.
We hope sometimes that Jane appears a little better but a few more days will better show if the change has been beneficial.
Elizabeth had better hold herself in readiness to come down on Wednesday afternoon.
With our united love to all at home
I remain, my dear Mary Ann
Your affectionate father
James Fowle
Stockwell Terrace
June 4th 1868
My own precious Marian
Oh how can words with equal warmth, the gratitude declare which flows within my ravished heart, but Thou can’t read it there.
The superabounding love and mercy of my heavenly Father, on the past day, calls forth long and of loudest praise; though my dear girl, our loss is unspeakably great, yet I feel truly thankful that you are united to one whom there is every reason to believe will be to you all that yourself could desire, in affection and companionship.
We were indeed glad to receive your cheering letter this morning, it was more than we could have expected. This morning is dark and raining, yesterday was a glorious day. Jane compared the sun to the bridegroom and the moon to the bride.
All nature seemed to shine upon you especially all nature’s God.
It was truly a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits bestowed upon me, the number of my children which the Lord gave me has long been deficient on earth. But yesterday, I had the happiness like Job of seeing the number made up again it is worthy of remark.
The Lord has given me three sons in law, in the place of dear James, John and Henry and Lucy fills the place of dear Ellen. We had indeed a delightful gathering we only wanted Mr Avis and Mrs Gough to complete it. Mr Avis returned about 4 o’clock and was much vexed he had not remained with us now most of our gests had gone, even Walker and Maria.
We felt it a comfort to be alone after so much excitement. Elizabeth, Charles and I breakfasted about eight, we are all of us, including dear Jane, quite as well as we were yesterday. Hannah has just called in to enquire after us. She desires her love to Mr Smith.
Miss Scott was highly gratified it was so interesting to have the three ministers near us and hear their conversation. Tell John the dear children went off in high spirits with Mr W Smith and the joys Elizabeth brought them from Worthing.
I must hasten to conclude. Wishing you every blessing both temporal and spiritual and with best love from each of us to you both
I am, my dearest Marian,
Your loving Mother
Mary Ann Fowle
The coat was forwarded last evening to Vauxhall, carriage paid, let us hear soon whether you have received it.
Stockwell Terrace
January 13th 1869
My dear Mary Ann
How very welcome your letter was, I have truly felt anxious to hear how you were, the reception of your epistle turned the spirit of heaviness into the garment of praise.
I was thankful you were able to attend the Covenant service and glad to hear you had a little fire in your bedrooms. I had thought of sending one of our fire baskets in the carriage for that purpose. The weather has been much colder since you left us and damp.
How cheering for you to be received by the dear children so lovingly. I am sure your affectionate husband will take care of you. I do hope to hear you are suited with a servant, the one you saw here, I declined, Louisa went to the house and found her with her hair tied up with scarlet and long earrings, so I am obliged to put up with my dirty Scotch till I can get another. It is a long lane that has no turning.
I am thankful to say I have been partaking of the green pastures since you left Sunday. Jane and I heard Mr Crump in the morning from the Blowing the Trumpet and the Fall of the walls of Jericho. In the evening, Ignatius got through the service wonderfully well; the subject was Hezekiah receiving the letter from the King of Assyria and going directly into the House of God to spread it before the Lord.
Monday evening, Jane and I went to the service and also yesterday; we intend going tonight, indeed I hope I shall each evening, the attendance has more than equal expectations. The body of the chapel was full as a Sunday morning.
Yesterday the Communion rail was surrounded with Penitents. Lucy and Ignatius had to go down to help Mr Stevenson. They are interesting services. I trust we shall long feel the quickening influence.
I received a nice letter yesterday from Sarah Bradford informing me her Mother had another little boy and was doing well. Maria and darlings dined yesterday here. Hoping you will continue to gather strength and above all that you and your beloved may abound in hope through the journey of the Holy Ghost.
With much love from all to all
I am, my precious child,
Your loving Mother
Marian
No address
Undated
My dear Mary Ann
Elizabeth and I found the bassinette much more expensive than I had anticipated, the lowest price was 25/- without any bedding, it was stiff coloured furniture, I was quite at a loss how to act.
I thought it better for you to be spared further trouble so we ordered one and you must allow me to be a Sovereign towards it as a thanks offering for your safe deliverance.
Elizabeth remembers Maria’s was a guinea without anything in it and she had to pay 10/- for the bed besides sheets and blankets, etc/
Della and Trot were delighted with it. I am sure baby needs it and if it was put off or home made it would be a long, blundering, tedious concern.
I think the cloaks are reasonable.
I hope nurse is regaining her strength.
With much love
I am your affectionate Mother
M A Fowle
© VCRT