Bowden head Chapel en le Frith September 6th 1854 My dear son, Your letter to your Uncle William of October last came duly to hand, and I am rejoiced to find by its contents that Providence is smiling graciously upon you, and I need not say, that all your relatives and Friends here are equally well satisfied, that you appear to be comfortable, and have a fare share of worldly prosperity. We have this year a most bountiful harvest throughout England, and a prospect of cheap corn through the winter, a thingh for which we have great reason to be thankful. Had the crops of corn been small and harvest - weather bad, no one can tell the misery that would have ensued in this country, for as we are now eng- [next page] aged in a severe and expensive war with Russia, our Taxes are very heavy of every kind. Applies, Pears, and all kinds of stone [???] fruit are very scarce this year, but of Gooseberries we have a most abundant crop. In my last letter I told you I had received 5 pounds from M Mortin, and in February this year I received 6 pounds more, making in the whole 11 pounds, but as you paid Henry in March 1853 we shall of course consider ourselves as having received it then. When M Mortin paid me the six pounds, he said, he should most likely be able to give me the remaining 9 pounds himself in a short time, as he should have money to send to Henry, and would give it me instead, but I have not heard a word about it since M Goodwins death. You will no doubt think it strange that I should have deferred writing so long but when [next page] I tell you that my mind has been so dreadfully harrassed with one thin or other, you will no doubt excuse, in the spring of this year, we lost the best cow we had, together with a sheep and three lambs, to say nothing of your Uncle Matthews conduct, he lived with us all the winter, and then, as soon as the Hay harvest commenced he went away from us, and I believe he is gone into the Corn Country. Your Grandfather, who is now bowed down with age and infirmity, is not gone to Harvest this year, your kind remembrance of him has been in part complied with, and the rest shall be given him very soon, for which he gives you hearty thanks. I believe all your relatives are very well in health, (except - Cousin Lydia uncle George's daughter) and their love and kind regards to yourself and your wife. In the spring of this year, your uncle Mark had a blast in his hand, which kept him from his work two months, he came to Bowdenhead and stopt with us three weeks, while going to the old woman at the wheel, and by way of return, he came and assisted us in the Hay, he is got well and is still living at Wardlow. Misses [underlined???], William, Charles + Mary, Ann Lingard send their best respects to your wife, yourself, and the little ones. Harriet + John also, join Richard + myself in love to your wife yourself, and little ones, and believe me in earnest. your affectionate mother Ann Nall [next page] N.B. After finishing and sealing the letter, I found that I had not told you, that my Uncle Joseph Needham and his daughters Martha and Betty, all died last winter, and his daughter Hannah died some time ago. By referring to my last letter you will find that I asked you several questions which you have not answered, which, I trust you will do in your next, and I beg of you to write soon [double underlined] and not neglect as I have done, you will also please say, whether Bang up [both words double underlined] as been of any service to you and what sort of Bread you use. I dont know whether any body has written to you since we entered upon the year 1854, but if not, I may just say, that on the 4th of January, we had such a heavy fall of snow, as no living person ever remembers to have seen before, accompanied with a very high wind, we were unable to give the cattle any water on that day, and even the day after, only such as we melted at the fire [melted - fire double underlined], the snow came on the hearth stone even when the door was shut, notwithstanding all this, we were much better off than scores of others, the mails [underlined] were prevented running and all the courts of law were closed, and scores of people completely blocked up in the Railway carriage [both words underlined] which were entirely stopped [both words underlined]. Aunt + Uncle Morten of Great Rocks desired to be kindly remembered to you, and again desiring to write on receipt of this I remain your affectionate mother Ann Nall [name underlined] You will please give my respects to Mr John Goodwin and family and to Mr and Mrs Henry Mortin and family. ann nall [name underlined] [Crimean war 1854-1856, England/France/Turkey/Sardinia vs. Russia]