Bowden Head
Chapel en le Frith
Sep 10th 1860

My dear son,

It is my painful duty to inform you that your dear Grandfather died on
Saturday morning the 25th of August between 12 and one O clock, and
was interred on the following Tuesday at Chelmorton Church.  His
illness continued for a period of nine weeks although he was somewhat
better at intervals during that time, but about a fortnight before his
death he lay confined to bed and neither partook of meat or drink,
notwithstanding, he bore his affliction with the greatest patience and
fortitude, and was quite willing to bid adieu to this world and all
its cares and troubles.  Although it is quite natural for you to shed
a tear at hearing this, still you are aware that in the order of
Providence nothing else could be expected, and as it is a debt we must
all pay sooner or later, and as death never comes to any of God's
people except in mercy, it is the Christian's duty not to "sorrow as
men without hope for them that sleep in him"  During the whole of his
illness he was attended to by the clergyman and his wife (Mrs. Coates)
with the greatest possible kindness, and I am happy to say that all
his wants were by then fully supplied both in a temperal and spiritual
point of view,

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The reason for my writing to you at this time is to inform you of your
Grandfather's position as regards preparation for his burial, in order
to prevent you or Mark from being asked by your Uncle William to
assist in any way as I can assure you nothing whatever is needed.  In
the first place your Grandfather had 2/6 a week from the Parish ever
since his illness began, and Mrs. Coates told me she was sure he had
not had occasion to use any of it, for she supplied him with
everything necessary, both as regards meat + wine and whatever else he
could take, and other people were kind enough to send him wine after
his appetite failed, and the week before his death he had nine
shillings given him by different parties, + 22/6 from the Parish
towards funeral expenses, I am exceedingly sorry to mention these
things but as your Uncle William kept sending letters to me stating
how badly off he was in consequence of your Grandfather causing him
expense, when at the same time he was not costing him a single penny.
In order to make myself fully acquainted with every particular and in
order to see your Grandfather, I went over to Chelmorton in a
conveyance on the Wednesday before his death, and during my stay I
ascertained all these facts, and so far from your Uncle suffering any
loss, your poor old

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Grandfather had actually made provision for his funeral and had saved
six pounds, and a few days before his death he told your Aunt Martha
of it, and said nobody need to put themselves to any loss or trouble
to bury him as he had saved the six pounds for that purpose.  After
your Grandfathers death I mentioned this matter to your Uncle William
and he at once said it was so, but three pounds of the money was lent
to a niece of your Aunt Ellen's, and the other three pounds he has
himself,  We made a plain decent funeral and what the shillings did
not do, Your Uncle George and Uncle William and myself joined at,
notwithstanding your Uncle William had all this money.  I need not
tell you that I told your Uncle William pretty well of his conduct and
he was so ashamed he scarcely knew where to look, If he should ask for
or Mark to do anything I beg you will most positively refuse as I can
assure you he does not need it, and he is considerably in pocket.

With regard to my own state of health I cannot say that I am any
better but appear to grow everyday worse and worse indeed I have now
given up all hope of getting better,  In consequence of my illness,
and Richards advanced age we have decided upon giving up the extra
land at Bowden head

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which I mentioned to you in my letter in May, and we have also
determined upon sending John out to service.  We have received a
letter from Mark by which we learn that you have a Family of eight
boys and one girl, we were glad to find that Mark appears to be doing
well.

We have had an exceedingly cold wet summer, and the Hay harvest is
considerably later than usual in consequence, the greatest part of the
Hay has yet to be got in this neighbourhood we have had your cousin,
Joseph Brassington, nine weeks in the Hay and we have three parts of
it to get yet.

Mrs. Lingard and her Family send their kind regards to yourself and
wife and to Mark and his wife

Richard joins me and Harriet + John in love and kind regards to
yourself and wife + Family and to Mark and his wife and Family and
Remain

Your affectionate mother
Ann Nall

[In a little box to the left of the signature, words in small script]

I forgot to tell you that I asked your Uncle William if your
Grandfather had any money and he said positively no, and I then told
him what I knew, and what the neighbours said

[Back under the signature]

NB You will please take care of the enclosed paper respecting Mark's
account.

I had almost forgot Matthew.  I am sorry to say he continues if
possible worse than ever, he does not live with us now, but I
understand he sleeps in some outbuildings of Mrs. Lingards.  He did
not go to the funeral.