| Notes |
- Thornbury October 26th 1837
My dear son
I was exceedingly glad to receive a letter from you yesterday, from Waimate, but without date, being the third I have had from you, the last direct, the two former copied by Mrs Thos B - one dated Sep 4th 36 - the other from Sidney (?). I was very thankful to a kind Providence that you were favoured to reach the place of your destination in safety, you can suppose how anxiously I thought of you while on the stormy ocean. Your dear wife seems to have suffered severely on the passage, but I hope she is now quite recovered from its effects. Tis indeed abundant cause of gratitude to God that you seem to be so comfortably situated, that the climate suits you, and that you feel in your right place for usefulness. You may well know that it was hard parting with you, I can assure you I felt it to be so, more especially when I reflect that tis hardly probable that I shall ever see you again on earth, you seem to derive consolation from the hope that we may meet again in Heaven never to part again. May God grant us a happy meeting there in his infinite mercy through our blessed Saviour. I am obliged for your prayers for me, hope you'll never forget me at those times, as I can assure you that I never retire to rest or rise from it, without reason being you and yours at the throne of grace. By God's helping my health has been pretty middling since you left. I certainly feel somewhat of the effects of advancing years as you may suppose, but I am well enough to walk to Thornbury today. I shall sleep at Mrs Wilke's tonight. I have resided
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with your Uncle Matthews at Itchington ever since you left, and there I'm likely to remain to the end of my days, unless I take a trip to see you by the new Railroads and Steamers.
Your uncles Jas (James?) and John Matthews are very well, they are very kind to me, are glad to hear from you, and desire their kind regards and love to you and yours.
My sister Mrs Hobbs is come to reside with us, I am sorry to inform you that she is quite blind.
Your sister Ann Jones and her husband were with us for a fortnight, about 3 months ago, thinking to get a situation in Bristol, which however he could not, so they went to London, where they staid 6 wks, but also failed to get employment there, so they returned to Manchester, where I am glad to hear he has got work. They were well when I last heard from them, as was also the case with your brother in London.
Your uncle Thomas and family were well when I heard from them about 3 weeks ago, but I'm sorry to inform you that he has lost by death his daughter Eliza and son Andrew, also Mr (or Mrs) Holt.
I saw your Uncle Josiah about 2 weeks ago, he was very well, his wife was in London, your cousin James is still with your Uncle in London.
Charles is married and has two children, he lives at Henley. George is married to a widow and has one child, keeps a Drapers and Grocers shop at Stroud.
Daniel is married to a respectable young woman who keeps a Baby linen warehouse at Stroud.
Betsy is married to a person named May, is likely soon to have a family, lives at Woolten.
Uncle Bobby is very well, and sends his best respects, still lives with Aunt Sally who is very ill,
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not likely to live long.
Mrs Wilke's has had a very bad finger from which she has suffered much, her two daughters are well, they each desire their best Christian regards and would be very glad to have a letter from you which they would answer.
Mr and Mrs Hopkins and their family are all well and likewise desire abundance of respect. Dr ? is removed to reside at Cheltenham. Mr Daniel Smith, Mrs Smith, Mrs Matthews and family, send also love and respect.
Poor Mrs Mullen is still living, but very helpless. Mr Pullen and sisters all well, they and all I have named above say they glad to hear of your welfare. Also Mrs Taylor of Eai?.
Next sentences hard to read, bits of page missing.
Health and ---- are enclosed ----- have this
------ crops of potatoes, corn and likewise
----- you would see a great alteration here -----
I am ----- to hear that little John is well and that he has not forgotten his poor old Grandmother who prays God xxx bless him.
I am very glad that you are likely to be doing well in temporal affairs, tis of but little consequence where our mortal remains rest at last, so that our souls get to their -------
I should be very glad of course to see you once more, perhaps as the facilities for conveyance are increased you may come to England again, even if you return to New Zealand afterwards.
Did you hear anything of your brother Joseph, I've not heard of him a long time, but suppose he is in the East Indies.
The ateration (alteration?) in the state of New Zealand is very wonderful - God be praised - you will be glad
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to hear that I think there is increasing attention paid to religion and religious education at Sabbath Schools and any Christians of various denominations.
We have had a most glorious Autumn, abundant crops of hay, corn, fruit and all well got in, we can hardly find casks for the cyder.
Your Brother Thomas and family were well when I heard last.
I shall send this letter to your brother Richard in London who is to take it to the Mission house, as you say to us tis no use to post letters to you otherwise.
I shall be very glad to hear frequently from you and will punctually answer your letters and if any alteration takes place you shall quickly know, wishing you the best of all blessings.
I remain your affectionate Mother
Martha Bedggood
Addressed to
Mr Richard Bedggood
No. 4 Macclesfield Street
City Road
London
For
Mr John Bedggood
Waimate
New Zealand
Mr Richard Bedggood will please to open this letter, read it, reseal it, and take it to the Mission House.
Stamped
Oct 27 1837
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AIGS/FHC Member's - Family Trees
1783 - 1857 (73 years)