Bowden Head
Chapel en le Frith
February 2nd 1857

My dear son,

You letter dated June arrived here on the 13th of July and you may
easily imagine how glad I was, when I found that Mark and Family had
arrived safe and sound at Cross Plains.  I had considerable uneasiness
of mind before your letter arrived in consequence of the long delay, I
was also much surprised that more was not said respecting the voyage
as Mark told us he would state every particular, from going on board
at Liverpool, to arriving at Cross Plains, however he has not done so
and we are expecting a long Epistle [???] next time.  I was sorry to
hear of Mark's little girl having the small pox; but from your letter
I find the soon [???] reserved [???], and from what you say none of
the rest have taken the cermplaint [???].  I am also very thankful to
hear that Mark appears to like America, and I am quite sure from the
statement you make as to hages [???], and other arrangements, he also
has great course for thankfulness, he, no doubt has found out

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the difference between living at Cross Plains with plenty of something
to eat, and comfort of mind, and living at Water Grove, with rather
scanty food, scanty wages, and great trouble of mind, and if such an
agreeable change does not produce thankfulness, I am at a loss to know
what will, but I have not the slightest doubt that Mark knows how to
be thankful.  It is also very consoling to my mind to find your
Family, your trading [underlined] and Farming [underlined]
speculations appear to be one continued source of success, of which I
am pleased to see you are fully sensible.  I have to thank you also,
for the information which you give me, expecting your children, namely
their names + ages, and no doubt you do think them handsome
[underlined].  Uncle Joseph's William does not say anything about
coming to America since he saw your letter.  Mr John Goodwin has no
doubt been with you before this; but we have not, as yet, heard
anything since he left this Country; although, it is quite possible
they may have heard at Great Rocks.  Your dear wife says something in
the way of being much obliged for the Dress which I chose, you will
please give my love to her and say, that she is quite welcome to all
that I have done in the matter, Harriet also joins me in this with

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respect to the childrens Frocks.  I am glad that the crockery arrived
with so little damage.  You ask whehter I had anything to pay for your
last letter, in answer to which, I beg to say, that I had not, and I
would just say in this place, that I always prepay my letters, so that
you ought not to pay anything.  As regards the money which you refer
to I have nothing to say, about it this time, for as M. Mortin at
Great Rocks promised to pay the money, you may as well keep it, until
M Mortin pays me, he has not mentioned i very lately, and I dont like
to press him for it, as I am quite sure it is safe in his hands.  When
I last saw your Aunt Ellen, she said your Uncle William was very ill,
and that she would not think of going to America so long as he
continued ill, at that time, I was thinking of writing, when she said,
I must give hee and Uncle Williams respects to you and your dear wife,
and they would write at some future day.  Your grandfather continues
very much the same as regards health, although, as you must be aware,
infirmities keep creeping on, and he is very lame.  I am not aware of
any particular news in this neighbourhood.

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Uncle Joseph tenders his kind regards to Mark and begs to remind him,
that when he left the country he promised to make certain signs, by
which Joseph would know, whether all that we receive from Cross Plains
is really true or not.  Now it was understood, that if things were as
promising as we had been led to expect, Mark was to make round marks
like circles, and if not, he was to make crosses, now the paper that
Mark sent, was full of crosses: how are we to understand this?  He
also promised Matthew that he would give him something like an account
of Bugs, still he says not one word about them.  He further promised
to say, if they had any provisions left when they arrived!  Perhaps he
will say how the children appear to like the country and whether they
count nights that they may have to stay before going to the Water
Grove.  When Mark left here, I sent you a pair of trousers and Mark
had two pairs at L4/s1 [L=pound sign, s???, letters above numbers] per
pair, and when he is able, he may pay you, but as nothing is said
about them, I am at a loss to know whether you have ever got them and
how they fit.  It gives me great pleasure to compliment you on the
return of your Birthday [underlined] and wish you a many happy returns
of the day.  Let us know how Mark goes on about Tobacco.  When you
write again, do let us know how all are getting on namely all that I
know.

My paper being nearly full I have only to say that all your Uncles,
Aunts, Grandfather, Cousins, John, + Harriett and the Lingards join us
in kind regards to yourself + wife

your affectionate mother
Ann Nall

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[On additional blue slip of paper, same letter]

My dear son,

We heard here that when George Gyte got to Liverpool his wife refused
to go on board and George had to have recourse to string, but
unpleasant means before he could get her to go, perhaps you will let
us know on a slip of paper separate from your letter whether such was
the case.

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[Information about envelope]

[Addressed to]
Mr. Daniel Vernon
Cross Plains post office.
Blackearth Creek
Dane County
Wisconsin
America

[Written diagonally across top left of front]
For 3cts due

[six pence imperf English stamp on cover]

[missing another stamp???]

[Stamped on front]
5 cents

[Written in lower left hand corner]
pd [d in superscript]

[stamped on back]
Liverpool Fe 6 1857

[stamped on back]
STOO [missing some?
Fe 7 [???]
1857
B