From Joseph Butterworth to his daughter Mrs. Elizabeth Waters (December 22, 1817)

[Joseph Butterworth to his daughter Elizabeth Waters]
Addressed to Mrs Waters, No 12 Cecil Place, Southsea, Portsea
Rochdale, Dec^r. 22^d. 1817

Dear Daughter

Your kind Letter of the 13th Oct^r. is now before me. I have to apologize for not answering it sooner. I hope this will find you & Mr Waters restored to good Health, which you mention was not so when you wrote, particularly your own, and also will find your Infant Daughter well – You wish to know of what complaint your Jane died – it begun with a large swelling on the side of its [her] Face, occasioned by getting its [her] Teeth. I have got her Name & etc. engraved on her Stone some time ago agreable to your request- I have sent you her Portrait inclosed in a pair of Blankets, which will save it from Damage also what Cloaths [clothes] of hers, that are worth sending. They may suit Mary, whom I am glad to hear is such a fine & good Child. I know of no particular News, worth mentioning, only that the Typhus Fever is very prevalent in this Neighbourhood, tho’ not in many Cases fatal. The Frost set in here yesterday & I hope it will continue a few Weeks it would prevent the Infection from spreading – Trade is not so brisk as one could wish it, but the working Class are much better employed than last Winter, but no increase in Wages – 

Your Sister Alice is at present very well also Benjⁿ. Joseph, & Aunt. I am the only Complainer I have had a slight touch of the Gout in one foot which has confin’d me several Days, but this Morning Thank God I am much better. They all join me in best Respects to you & Mr Waters & we wish you a merry Christmas & a happy new year & I remain Dear Daughter ever

Your Affectionate Father

        Joseph Butterworth