From Joseph Butterworth to his daughter Mrs. Elizabeth Waters (July 16, 1817)

[Joseph Butterworth to his daughter Elizabeth Waters]
Addressed to No 12 Cecil Place, Southsea, Portsea.

(Rochdale 16 July 1817 postmark)

Dear Daughter

Your letter of June the 5th I duly received, & have to confess I have been too remiss in not answering it sooner, as I ought to have done; both to have congratulated you on your safe Delivery, & also to have informed you of the Death of your Sister Jane. She died after a most Lingering sickness on the 10th of June & was buried on the 14th.

She suffered much for the 5 Weeks preceeding her Death not being able to go to bed all that time, but with such Patience & temper as seldom ever seen. We all regret her Loss much, but most particularly so your Aunt, whose fondness for her was that of a Mother.

Your daughter Jane is now living with us, & a fine little girl she is. She left the Nurse about a fortnight ago. She in some measure replaces our late Loss & gains upon the affections of all of us. She is a very playsome & can walk alone, but cannot talk much yet, but she can make us well understand what she wants.

In your Letter you wish her sent to you. I think she is too young & too good to be spared yet, when I want to send her I will let you know, till then you may rest content that she will have every Care that it is possible to bestow – When you get fixed in furnished Lodgings, or in the Country I will forward you your picture & the China. the latter I am afraid will suffer in the Cargo, but I will get them packed as safe as possible. I know of nothing that has happened here unless the Death of Stead Holland about a month ago. Trade seems gradually mending & I hope will still continue.

Your Brothers, Sister, & Aunt join me in best respects to you & Mr Waters & all hope you are now quite recovered, of which be kind to inform us of, as well as of the Health of Mr Waters & the Infant

In the Interim I remain Your affect^e Father

 Joseph Butterworth

Rochdale
July 13th 1817