| Ryarsh Monday June 18th 1827 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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1827: Abraham aged 27
Addressed to: Mr Sugden Purser Of the H. M. Sloop Cordelia Yarmouth See notes & pictures. |
No doubt my dear Abraham you are anxiously anticipating my Letter. I hope you have not thought me neglectful in not answering yours earlier. I declined writing till now as I found you staid at Sheerness so long after the time you thought of when you wrote. from the time your mother sent to say you had saild will now make near three weeks. I trust we have placed it well between us both and that this may be in as soon as you arrive at Louth. A personal interview would afford me much greater pleasure but that being impossible this must suffice but in answer to yours of the 12 instant allow me to return my best thanks it come in so unexpected made it the more delightful besides it reminded me I was not quite forgot. Yours did indeed surprise when I found you had realy been to see your Dear Mother. I was very rejoiced to hear you had been and had I staid as your Mother wanted me and made up the three Months I should have had a present. I hope by this you are better off for Men and have long service got over the Fag you then endured from being so badly supplied. I heard by the bye that you had another attack of the ague before you left Sheerness tis only - now and then I find these things out I am not allowed to sympathise in your afflictions It is indeed with great concern I have to inform you that Sickness has prevailed in our Family for this last fortnight our dear Sarah has been quite confined to her Bed The first three Days there was symptoms of a Fever but since it has proved to be an ague she has it every other Day very bad it has in this short time much reduced her but we hope with strict attention she will be better in a few Days During her being so ill my Mother has met with a sad accident and upset her ancle which has completely confined her to her room though not wholly to her bed it has been done now a week and she is not able to walk across the room so you see we have but a sorry House my Father and Betsy are quite well I too am well in Health so must not murmur though by night with fatigue get fagd out tis necessary us frail Mortals should know affliction but God only knows to require we must sit and to submit humbly to his decrees is what we are fairly taught therefore we must try and do so. My Letter this time is far from being interesting I hope my next will bring better news. I have written thus far without compleating your Mothers commission she is aware I am going to write you to Day you know Candor is my Motto so soon after I received yours I wrote and told her I was going to return an answer it my was with for her to have written a part of this but this Morning I received a few lines from her to say though being so busy she must decline this time but will write you soon if you wish it but after this we shall not write as we know not how to direct she desires me to give her Love and hopes to hear from you soon your Brother is but poorly all the rest are quite well I have not yet told you we have had Abraham Snoswell staying with us a fortnight on Whit Sunday his father with John paid us a visit & staid Monday/Friday you know / all returned on Tuesday on Thursday next is the day part of the family leave to go to Gravesend it grieves us to say a part for the person they thought would have taken their House has declined through his wifes objecting to live in a Country village the day he left our house he expected a person from Dover he too has declined if they dont get anyone to take it before Thursday your Aunt is to remain there a short time longer Mr S would go on to Gravesend most sincerely do I hope someone will take it before that Day for every Letter I have from your Mother I find it gets quite a source of grief to see how truly unfortunate they are young Robinson has been staying with them they tell me he is quite a Brown from being so long in the Indias at his arrival Sarah such an ill-tempered girl took very little notice not what we should have done had it been only a Friend much more a Dear Brother she is still I am sorry to say to your mother - as yet Mrs ?Streder? wrote last week but did not say she was to come at any decided time so your Mother lives between fears and doubts my time has been so taken up since my return from R- that I have not had an opportunity to run over to see her Girls were to have gone last week had we not had such an afflicted house and should Sarahs ague continue so as to prevent her going in a few weeks if Mother gets better of her lameness I mean to take her by surprise some of these fine evenings Dont for a moment think I shall forget to visit her so if you think my coming adds to her comfort I will in your absence go more frequent I think by peacemeals I have almost filled my sheet you must excuse all defects for its done in great hast How I wish you was with me now the Country is most delightful we this day commenced our Haying with every prospect of a fine week. Father is high busy every thing at this place goes on as usual in my hast I forgot to say I dont think of going to London till late in the summer for as soon as Sarah gets well I should like if nothing prevents to spend a few Days with my old Friends Captain Fletcher and his Sister should you not return in July as you thought of I trust you will embrace an early leisure hour and give me a very long letter. I need not add nothing will afford me greater pleasure than to hear from you I can only add my Mother, Father & Sisters best respects accept my love wishing you health happiness and prosperity believe me ever to be my | |||||||||||||||||||||
| dear Abraham yours sincerely & Affectionately Mary H | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Ryarsh February 26 1829 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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1829: Abraham aged 29
Addressed to: Mr Am Sugden Lower Rainsham Sittingbourne Kent See notes & pictures. |
My dear Abraham I am truly sorry to be under the necessity of postponing my visit to Rainham on Saturday as I intended when you left us. Its now out of my power to come over on that Day in consequence of my Sisters illness it is with great concern I inform you she was taken suddenly ill on Monday evening since which she has kept her Bed we cannot yet decide what her illness may terminate in we have the Scarlet Fever near us yet we trust it may not end in that sad Malady She has had a good night and we think her better this morning should she continue better I will avail myself of yours and your Dear Mothers invitation next week I cannot name a Day as it will all depend on Sarahs getting about again Think not of me until I come as it is so uncertain but should she still remain ill I will give you a line by next week with the Honey etc I hope you reached your home safely perhaps if you are not too much engaged you will give me a few lines by Mr Wickham on Saturday for you ride usually so fast I always am in fear after you leave us May I say I shall expect to hear from you on that Day and should your Mother have sett any day next week for her friends to meet tell me and if possible I will come as I am well aware it is on our accounts she gives herself the trouble and fatigue I trust we may live to return her repeated kindness I am pressed for time so you must excuse this hasty scrawl I have nothing particular to communicate so shall bid you farewell for a short time my Friends all write with me in Kind regards and believe me ever to be - |
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Dear Abraham Yours affectionately Mary |
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P.S. Since sealing my letter I have received yours so I keep the Postman to add to my hurried epistle I
must be brief time will not admit of my writing a fresh sheet If possible I will come on Monday if Sarah
is as today you may depend on seeing me by Jackson if I do not meet your mother in Rochester not a little
shall prevent my coming though I fear my stay will only be for a very short time as we have just had sad news
of John Fremlin I fear we shall lose him I am grieved to hear of your accident though it is what I have
expected I felt so prepossest that something had happened. Adieu with love to your self and Dear Mother
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| Gillingham 25th Dec 1832 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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1832: aged 33
Addressed to: Mrs Heaver Ryarsh Malling Kent See notes & pictures. |
My dear Mrs Heaver/. You will perceive by this that I have again reached Home for a few days, having arrived last Saturday from the Downs and sail again next Thursday, my having come home so unexpectedly will prevent my dear Mary in seeing you next Saturday as she proposed, but on that day she will positively and finally name the time when she will have that pleasure, she is this day preparing to get some of my Traps ready whether she will or not I cannot say as the weather is so very bad that it is next to an impossibility to get any thing dry out of doors and if we put them out the people charge so enormously for washing and injure the things in the bargain, that one is glad to put up with an inconvenience rather than be imposed on. How very glad I should have been had you remained home only a few days more, then I should have seen you but really now I cannot tell when that time will be. our time is so very uncertain as also in all of our moments on board, that we live always in a state of suspense and anxiety. Our very great comfort is that the vessel cannot (unless sent on a Foreign Station) be out of Port longer than a Month so that we have the happiness of hearing from each other more in that period. How very thankful, humbly and gratefully so, should I be, could I in any way meet with some situation on shore, if it was only 80£ a year in addition to my staff Pay I never would have occasion then to be under the necessity of being separated from all my worldly happiness by the Sea & Navy. Had I a son to morrow, sooner than he should go to sea , I would put him as an apprentice to a Barber for in many instances in the Navy we are entirely the slaves of caprice and petty tyranny. You will hardly credit it, that altho I am within only a few miles of my house, and having really nothing of any consequence to do on board, that I am obliged to go aboard every morning and come on shore/ under the impression that I may consider it the greatest favour/ in the evening, what little comfort we have from a few hours by our own fireside is partly done away with in the running to and fro and spoiling ones clothes. Mary and myself proposed, had the day turned out fine, to have eaten our dinner with you to day, altho we are both poorly, but it is unfortunately not in our power, as the weather is so very bad, that it would be next to madness to have attempted it. I obtained yesterday evening a hand written permission to remain on shore all this day which we intended to have devoted in seeing your happy, comfortable and peaceful Cottage. Mary received the basket safe last Saturday for which accept our best thanks. She will be sure and write to you next Saturday. wishing you all the compliments of the Season and that every happiness this world affords may attend you all, with the blessing of Him is the united prayer of |
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My dear Mrs Heaver Yours dutifully and affectionately Am S. Mary Sugden. |
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PS (on outside of letter) This was taken on board and could not be sent to posts. Should you have sent to Mary, you need not send again. throship not be sent yesterday as promised I fear you have. ? Wells shall see him on Saturday so that will be all right you shall hear from me but you will not see me. A S |
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| Rainham 23rd February 1835 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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1835: aged 35
Addressed to: Mrs Heaver Ryarsh Malling Kent See notes & pictures. |
As Mary is very busy she has desired me to be her Clerk, She wishes her Father would inquire of Mrs Williams. Mr Lucks housekeeper at Ditton, the character of a girl, of the Name of Charlotte Broad, and if he finds that she is a Steady, honest, willing, and good humoured girl, he may engage her for us, and as Betsey will return home either Tuesday or Thursday next week, She will let the girl know when she is to come across. I found all the Moneys correct at Rochester Bank, and if you will let me know what Interest I am to pay you for it. I will send the promissory Note for the Amount, back by Betsey the Medicine has been sent to Mrs Rains, some time back, it would have been sent before, but there not being any one at home, my Mother could not let me go until Mary had returned. We shall take possession of the Cottage either the later end of next week, or the early part of the following, by which time we shall have nearly all our things ready and which I think you will be pleased with when you see them. Betsey will be home on Tuesday the Boy can be at Sundland to meet her, should she not come that day . you hear from her with all particulars I trust you will send a few lines for us by Matt on Saturday next, and perhaps by that time Father will have heard all about the girl at Ditton, and also let us know how you all are particularly his cold. We are all in pretty good health, excepting colds, trusting that you are perfectly well, accept the united Love of all in this House, as well as, | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Yours affectionately, Am Sugden |
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Be good enough to let us know how poor Mrs Cork is
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5 London Road 30th October 1874. |
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1874: aged 75
Addressed to: No address given. See notes & pictures. |
My dear Erny and Stuart As I am under the Doctors orders in consequence of the partial deprivation of my sight I have been unable until now to thank you for your note congratulating me on my 75th Birth day and the nice Book accompanying it. I hope that this may find you in good Health and that you will make your best endeavours to carry away Prizes for spelling in your Studies. |
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| I am Your affectionate Grandfather Am Sugden | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS your Uncle, Aunt and Kathie derive their kindest Love to you.
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Ryarsh 2nd June 1875 |
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1875: aged 75
Addressed to: No address given. See notes & pictures. |
My dear-old Lady Kathie.!!!! I am very thankful to find that your Health is better may it continue to improve under the blessing of the Almighty and that, that may always be with you is the prayer of | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Your young Grandfather Am Sugden |
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Ryarsh Maidstone 8th June 1876 |
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1876: aged 76
Addressed to: No recipient address given. See notes & pictures. |
My dear Son I was much obliged to you for the Paper poor unhappy Sultan who would be a Caliph very little Naval Power I saw by a Canterbury Paper think 15 of our Men of War are to be sent to the Baltic and Mediterranean Station strengthened by our increase of The Navy this looks like precautions and certainly is in a right direction. I am thankful to inform you that the great discharge of matter on your Aunts Head is much subsided and she has so far wonderfully improved in her general Health but there is something accumulating on the back part of her Head that requires watching and altho she is as she is neither the Doctor or Mrs Higgins /the other Nurse having left/ think that she is out of danger. Time only can decide that but it is a sad and distressing thing that this affliction shd have happened now for Polly requires more work than she can get under these circumstances and she really is not fit for any additional strain upon her weakly constitution I did not go to Mr St yesterday. I was not so well as I should have liked neither am I to day it is as well as it is for I find that he is not in his Chaise as often has he can be wind and weather permiting when I think of what may be termed a brochure on reflection it is too contemptible to be noticed and my feeling is that your dignity is best sustained by letting it pass I am pleased to say that yesterday I received a comfortable Note from Willie dated 5th instn at Falmouth they are employed picking up boys for the purpose of training them for the Navy poor fellow he is overworked having so many Accounts to keep the Paymasters being the most altho he says he has a good Steward. I shall be thankful to find him away altogether if you should write to him at any time address your Letters to him at Plymouth for should he not be there they are forwarded to him Will you kindly bring two Shillings worth of Le Mans Biscuits. Your Boy still does not improve in his Health neither I am very sorry to say does poor Polly Jeffs has not sent me his Book nor Spinks. It is now nearly 4 Pm, so they must wait until another week before they are paid as it is not my intention they shall be until their Books are examined by me in the mean time I shall however require 8/- and 5/11 for M a for Milk & Fish paid by her for the use of the house 8/- for Milk for ensuing Month and 15/- for myself for same period for Miscellaneous Expenses. I do not think of any other just now except Bedding 4/6 for oil and Baker 11/5¼ altogether 52/5¼ - I hope you are a.1. in health. With our united Loves and Gods blessing be with you for ever. |
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Your affectionate Father AmSugden |
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Ryarsh Maidstone 6thJuly 1876 |
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1876: aged 76
Addressed to: To a son, I don't know which, but probably not William, Heaver or Soper. See notes & pictures. |
My dear Son In my mind, I do not think Mr S can attend to his School duties for two weeks hence at least I had half an hour with him particulars when I see you. Miss P. was in or near your Little City runs at Scillis yesterday with her Brother George her three Aunts are at Hastings. I recd a Note from Heaver yesterday poor Nellie is in the Doctors hands internal complaints attended with inflammatory symptoms which he hopes to subdue then he will be able to make a Man of her. Heavers time since he has been at Portsh has been taken up with poor Sopers Home affairs and will be so until he leaves for Dublin on Monday next. I have told H that I hope he will be able - to settle them in such a manner that poor S may not be subject to any annoyance in future if he is well enough he will join the Thunderer when Commissioned but if not he will have to go to the Hospital and then after a while get Sick Leave and come among us and be resuscitated. E & Wm are away somewhere we shall know where in a few days - I have not heard from Amelia since the 30th. We are much the same as to Health as when you left. I have posted the 14-11-4 bill this day to John Trusting sincerely that this may find you a.1. and with our united Love |
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your affectionate Father AmSugden |
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Ryarsh Maidstone 25thOctober 1876 |
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1876: aged 76
Addressed to: To a son, I don't know which but definitely not William. Comparing with the letter above, it could be Soper. See notes & pictures. |
My dear Son You are a jolly good fellow to send me the Paper, I recd yesterday and also one previous to that containing a List of the recent Promotions in the Navy. I was much hurt at not finding Willies Name there as all of us expected to have seen it there. I was far too sanguine about it never dreaming of his being passed over he has not any friends at the Admiralty no doubt but all those who were promoted had otherwise the promotions were unjust the only friend of influence he has is Admiral Hood. I procured his Address and sent it to Willie in the hope that he will communicate with him fully on the subject - if Hood takes up the case there may be a chance for the next promotion. I thought to have seen something about the Thunderer, and your Class of Officers in your paper but all is silent there about either if the expected War takes place there may be then a stir among some of the big ones as you are not over burthened with your Class of Officers. Willie left Malling Station on Monday morning to rejoin his Ship. I wrote also to Mr ?Lastwick? for instructions on my assistance he can afford in Ws case he may, being employed, suggest something - which we do not think for It is very gloomy heavy & blowing weather these few days past it seems to portend a downfall of Snow. You have Nellie now at her Home. I hope she is improving in her Health. I wish I could say so of poor Pollys. I am puzzled about hers for almost every morning I find she has had a sleepless Night with pains in her Body and Legs notwithstanding all these distressing attacks the Doctors say she will eventually get better for her sake I do not care how soon very earnestly do I trust that your Health is improving. And that your Services are not required in the Thundererer or any other large ships, as I do not think you have strength to undertake the duties of them God bless you in every way. Let me hear from you at your leisure with both our Loves . |
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Your affectionate Father Am Sugden |
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