[John Sillifant to Thomas Waters R.M.]
Addressed to Lieut Waters, Royal Marines, Portsmouth
Coombe, 15 Decr. 1816
My Dear Mr Waters,
It is many months since we had the pleasure of hearing from you, pray has your time been occupied with civil or Military engagements? I am anxious to hear from you how you have been engaged – I suppose you are now promoted to a Company. You are a fortunate fellow to be on the establishment at this time. I am sure you will be sorry to hear of the death of your good Friend Mr Prideaux some months since. However it is a great consolation to his surviving friends that He died as He lived Happy & resigned. We have no other change in our family. Mrs Sillifant & the Children are all well & desire to be most kindly remembered to you. John is at College in Oxford. I hear Miss Totness is going on extremely well in Bristol. I conclude you have heard that Her friend Miss Lockyear is dead & has left Her a Legacy of a Thousand Pound Stock.
I intend sending this Letter with a deed which Mr Smith sends for your execution, which is a transfer of your Mortgage from Taylor. I have agreed (with your approbation) to advance your Five Hundred Pounds to a Mr Nics. Reynolds on some Lands in Rockbere. I am informed it is a very good Security. In consequence of a very unproductive & bad Harvest, corn is advanced amazingly & the poor are much distressed. I much fear it will increase as the winter advances – do write me a long letter.
I must conclude with every good wish
I remain yours sincerely
John Sillifant