[Thomas Waters, R.M., to his wife, Elizabeth]
Addressed to Mrs Capt.Waters R.M., King Street, Woolwich
[black sealing wax: all other so far has been red]
Bull Plain Hertford 17 July 1842
My dear Wife
I am settled in very convenient and well furnished lodgings at 10/s a week fire included, a grass plot and a nice gravel walk belongs to the house at the back. I am very near some fields with agreeable public walks. I left Woolwich about 1 oClock friday morning, was at Deptford at 2, on London Bridge at 1/2 past 3, at Stoke Newington 1/2 past 5, and I arrived at Hertford 11 oC. in the morning, went directly into my present Lodgings where I breakfasted, without having entered any other house, rested, or taken refreshment from the time I left home, therefore, you may suppose I took nothing from my tea time the evening before, walking the whole 31 miles without being much tired, but I had finished my walk before the heat of the day, therefore I was not oppressed. I think if you were to come here for a few weeks, for the change of air, you might make yourself very comfortable, there are many pleasant walks in the neighbourhood, my situation is retired, it is true, and I have not much view, but I am very near some fields, and the river Lea which is navigable for barges, and pleasure boats go on it, and I am close to the town without being actually in it. I give only 1/s a pound for chocolate, full size potatoes 5d per gallon, bread 8d, chops 8d pr lb, milk 3d a quart. As far as I have seen I am satisfied with the place, only wanting your company, the distance is short and travelling moderate only 4/8, the best way is to come by the steam vessel direct to London Bridge, the way that Elms came, he saved 2d, had no further to walk than the other way and had a straight walk from London bridge through Gracechurch St., Bishopgate St. to Shoreditch railway on the right-hand side, which takes you to Broxbourne 16 miles for 3/s, (2nd class coach,) where there is a coach to take you the other 5 miles to Hertford for l/s (outside), very near my Lodgings, leaving Woolwich by the 10 oClock steamer you would arrive in Hertford a little before 3 oC.- I was at the Friends meeting, this morning, which is not far from where I live, the house is a pretty good size but there were only about thirty people in it, although, I am told, there are pretty many Friends in the town and neighbourhood. There are really some beautiful walks at no great distance, the people appear to be very civil, the Malting trade is I am told the staple of this place, and which I understand is rather celebrated, Staples is the name of the people with whom I lodge, I believe they are small coach proprietors. Elms is well satisfied with his billet, not far from my lodgings, he appears steady and attentive. my chest arrived yesterday quite safe, carriage from Woolwich to this 6/8, and safely stowed away-
I hope my young folks are well, give my Love to them, I know they will be good, and that Nancy will love me when she knows me better, as I do her and the rest of my family, God bless you all, and may He make you as happy as happy can be, is your husband’s most anxious wish my dear wife your Health is my first consideration-
The Head of the new river, which supplies London with water, is within a mile of this place, the preparitory blue coat school for boys and I think girls, for Christchurch school is in this town, and the Cadets Academy belonging to the East India Company is about 3 miles off, there are only two churches in the town, therefore you may suppose it is not very extensive or populous for a country town.
Adieu my Dear Wife
ever yours truly
Thos. Waters