John Pritchard letter 1878
Masham July the 10th 1878.
My Dear children.
I take up my pen to rite a few lines to you hoping the(y) will find you well. We are pretty well. Aby has not been very well for some days but she is some better.
We are after having a fine shower and it seems as if we would have more. Joseph has been making at this hay and has got in seven loads and about thirty locks up. There is about fifteen more cut. It is pretty good. I think there will not be mutch done as it this week.
I went up on Monday morning to Samuel Mullens. He says it was splendid one but last fall it took something and died in a few days so from what you told me about the young mayer of your unkles. I think she might answer you better than anything I know of here. If you get her and has to pay interest on the money you let me know and I will let you have the price of her until you can pay me without interest. I got home in good time after feeding about an hour at young Magees and near four hours at Dan Nichols.
I suppose Alexander (Snedden) and family is gone by this time to Almonte. When you write let me know how the(y) got along with the furniture also if the fire gave you any trouble. There was some fire near us but from the appearance of the weather this day I think the danger if over. It has been a very scorching time since I came home and crops and pastures need rain very mutch. Samuel's wheat looks very well and is near ripe. Having seen you so lately I have nothing very particular to write to you. Hoping to hear from you soon I ad no more hoping that the blessing of the Most High may rest and abide with you and your wife from your loving father to death.
John Pritchard
Published on page 20 of the 1982 book The Pritchards and related families.