Bowden head
Chapel en le Frith
March 30th 1856 [3 written over a 2]

My dear son,

I now write you our of the ordinary way, and I cannot express what
pleasure it gives me to hear of your success from time to time, and as
you have now got Uncle Mark and his Family with you, no doubt Cross
plains will appear more like Home.  You are aware no doubt of the
heavy responsibility which you have taken upon yourself, in sending
for Mark, and I sincerely hope and pray, that he may blessed with
health and soon be able to repay you for the kindness you have shewn
towards him and your anxiety for the future welfare of himself and his
family.  In your last letter you alluded to the fact of your being as
happy as you could be, and it was no small degree of pleasure to me to
hear you speak in such pleasing manner of your amiable partner.  I
have to request that you tell us

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more of your own Family when you write again, which I trust you will
do immediately on receipt of this, and prrobably Mark will give us
some account of his voyage.  Of course I am quite aware, that you said
a great deal in your last letter, but it had reference mainly to Mark
and an answer to Uncle Joseph, and when he saw your answer he said he
should be like to come to America and see for himself.  Your Uncle at
Great Rocks said he would write to you, and send it by George Gyte,
and I expect he has done do.  I want to know more of your own Family,
such as the names of your children and their sire etc.  The crockery
which has so much been talked about you have now got, and I wish you,
and your dear wife, and Family, long life and health to enjoy them, I
dare say when you see the crockery, it will bring many a thing to your
recollection of by gone days, there are 40 pieces of crockery.
Harriett has made and sent, two small Frocks for the Groins [???], and
some of the print, so that your wife can alter, or improve any parts,
which may happen to be defective

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You will also find that I have purchased a black silk dress for your
wife, for which George Gyte found the money, the dress and lining
comes to L2..a11..a0 [L=pound sign, all letters above the numbers,
couldn't read the last two letters] and George Gyte has the Bill,
which he will no doubt give to you.  Harriet has taken considerable
pains in making the Frock, which she has done at nights, after she has
done her work, and all since your last letter, it was a proposition of
her own, and she has all along prosecuted it pleasure.  In the
crockery Box you will find a Funeral Buscuit, in rememberence of
William Ford son of William Ford of Bowden head, who was unfortunately
killed at his work at Bugsworth by a fall of earth on the 29th of
February, Richard Hall [Kall???] of Glossup [Glossip???] son of
Richard died in November last leaving a wife and six children.

I was at Chelmorton about a month ago, and saw your Grandfather who
was in his usual health, but of course very lame, he desires to return
you many thanks for your present, and to be remembered kindly to you.
The rest of your Uncles and Aunts, Cousins, and other relatives and
Friends, Mark will be able to say something about and also as to
whether you may expect any more of them at Cross Plains.  Mrs Lingard

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Mary Ann, William + Charles send their best respects to you and your
wife.  I have also sent you in the Box 2 pairs of Stockings for
yourself 3 pairs of Socks for the children 4 Skeins [???] of silk 4
Bobbins of cotton 1 on Thread 1 shief [???] pins and some needles +
tape + stay laces.  Mark and his Family arrived here on the 20th
instant and should have sailed on the 25th but owing to some
disappointment they did not sail on that date consequently they had to
remain here until Monday the 31st so that you see we had them eleven
days which you may be sure made us very busy.  I shall be anxious to
know at your earliest convenience what sort of arrangements you and
Mark have made, for him paying you back the expenses to which you have
been put [???] in bringing him and Family.  We all join in love and
Kind regards to yourself and wife and children and Remain

your affectionate mother
Ann Nall

NB I have also sent you one pair of trousers and another pair for Mark
AN

[Across the back page it reads (perpendicular to the letter writing
from bottom of page to top):

Mr Daniel Vernon
Crossplains
]

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[Bill of sale as described]
Bakewell Feb 18 1856

Mrs. Nall

[description of goods, expenses, one penny payable on demand stamp
(signed), etc.]