Ann Stevenson letter 1875
Wakefield
Nov 22nd 1875
My Dear Abbie.
Were it not for the kind proposal your papa made, to give your granpa what he needed to keep him comfortable, this you stated in your letter I should be almost ashamed to ask anything again after the beautiful parcel you sent him. He was almost over come when he seen them, for I never saw any person seem more greatful than he does for the favours he receives from you.
What I send for now is a pair of over boots, which I think is more needed for his safty than his comfort as he is pretty well supplied for foot ware, he is so feeble that he can't keep his feet out side with leather soled boots. Last Friday as he came up to the door though he had his staff in his hand he slipped & fell with his back on a scraper that was at the door. We were greatly frightned for we thought he must have been seriously injured but it was not so bad as we feered though from the effects of the fall there is likly a retch goes from his breast out to his shoulder which he feels a good deal.
If you would leave the boots in Mr McLaren's store or you could leave them in Mr Pritchard's either place we could get them quite handy.
Your granpa's health is as good as usual, but he is still growing feebler. A few days ago when I was holding his arm to help him to the table, he said he hoped he would soon get home & I believe dear Abbie it would be a happy change. The ice is taken across the river now although there has been no crossing on it yet but if there comes a few night of hard frost we will soon have a good bridge & we would be very glad for as many of you as can make it convenient to come & spend a day with us & your dear mama too we would be very happy to see her indeed.
I will now close with love to all not forgetting Miss Thompson & tell her we would be very glad to see her here with the rest of you.
I am Your affectionate
Aunt Ann Stevenson
Ann Stevenson "although not a nurse by profession apparently filled the role of midwife and nurse to her neighbours in need" (Norma Geggie, Wakefield and Its People, pp. 19-20). Originals of this and the following letter are in the Pritchard collection at the National Archives.