Appendix 15
Letters from John Bolton to his daughter Jane at Spetisbury
Marsh End House 31st Oct. 1842
My Dear Jane,
We are much concerned and surprised that you have not sent us a single line since you arrived at your new Habbitation, you have soon forgot your old ones, your dear Mamma cannot bear any longer, she has been looking for a letter every morning for the last month or more, she longs to hear an account of your journey and I hope for your own credit that you have wrote, and the letter has been missent by some Post Offices blunder, I beg you will not delay writing another day, but you must ask a Hundred pardons of you dear Mamma.
I hope you continue to enjoy good health & spirits which will enable you to go through your studies with pleasure.
We are all well, little “Ann” often says poor Jane is gone. Your kind Mamma and Brothers joins me in wishing you every happyness.
I remain your aff. Father
John Bolton
Marsh End, Preston 19th Nov. 1842
My Dear Jane,
Your long-looked for letter came to hand on Thursday, I am pleased with its contents as well as with the writing, which I hope is an example of your general improvement.
It is gratifying to learn you had so pleasant a journey through Gloster, Bristol and Bath, I am sure Mr.Brindle has been a kind friend to you, I hope that you have not forgot to thank him kindley, when you see him next, give our kind regards to him, tell him we trust he will not fail to call when ever he comes to Lancashire.
It is also a great satisfaction that we hear you are so happy, indeed you will find there the happiest day of you life, I hope the examples that are given to you will make a lasting impression on your mind, so as to moddle for yourself a path, that will not fail to give us comfort and joy in our tottering old age, as well as purchase for yourself real happyness here and hereafter, It is as you say, little Ann does chatter like a Parrot, she is verry forward in talking, I can now hold a conversation on little matters, she tells tales on poor little Will, but after all, they are great friends and true companions, little Ann has not forgot you yet, she says “Jane has left me” Your brothers are all well, they send their love to you, James will write you in a week or two; he says he will not keep you as long in suspence as you kept us.
Give out kind regards to Sister Monica and to Lady Abbess, I must beg their pardon for forgetting them in my last, but it was from the hurry of the moment that they were forgot, remember us kindley to Miss Brindle, we hope she is well and happy,
Your Dear and Kind Mamma joins me in wishing you every thing that is good
I remain Your affect. Father
John Bolton
Marsh End House, 27th April 1843
My Dear Jane,
Your little note came duly to hand, we were much pleased to hear that the Rev. Mr. Knight had sent you a trifle, kind gentleman, he has made inquiries after you, I hope that you have returned him kind thanks and requested his pious prayers.
It gives me great pleasure to say that we are all well at present, little Ann surpasses all for wit and beauty, really she is quite engaging, she is Mamas pet and true companion; Will does not grow much; Tom is robust and stout as ever, he talks much better, John is growing fast. I think of sending him to Stoneyhurst I hope he will take to the church, he is very forward and fond of lattin; James has grown as tall as me, he looks well and has become very useful to me.
They all join in wishing you everry good. James hopes to have the pleasure of a pious and accomplished sister.
Dear Mama sends her kind love to you, and trust you are making ample progress in you studies.
Give our best respects to good Sister Monica to Miss Brindle and not forgetting the Rev. Mr. Brindle when you next have the pleasure of seeing him, tell him we hope he will call should he be so fortunate as to get down to Lancashire this summer.
Mama trusts that you have not neglected writing to your dear Grandfather
With every wish for your future welfare,
I beg to remain Your Affectionate Father
John Bolton
P.S. I have the unpleasant task to perform by informing you that your good old friend Miss Brindle departed this life on Tuesday last full of piety and resignation, she had been in as drooping way for some time, let me beg your prayers for her and get your good companions to join you.