From Alice Butterworth to her sister Mrs. Elizabeth Waters (December 17, 1819)

[Alice Butterworth to her sister Elizabeth Waters]
[from a transcript]

Rochdale, December 17th 1819

My Dear Sister

I really am quite ashamed I have not answered your letter sooner and I fear you will think me very thoughtless and ungrateful when I avow I have no apology to offer in extenuation of my silence. I promise in future you shall find me a better correspondent and must trust to your good nature for pardon of the offence. We were very happy to receive your letter tho’ a little surprised at your saying your children were well as we knew only of one child. I am glad you have more and that you yourself are well. Winter has set in here with unusual severity, we have had a great deal of frost and the ground is covered with snow. I doubt not that you have heard about the Reformation. People are very much alarmed in these parts as it was expected they are about to rise; the time is midnight which sounds very awful. Last Monday they and great preparations were made in Manchester and the adjoining towns, however they did not come. We hear that 60 Lancers from Manchester came to Bury and broke up the Union Rooms where there was a large multitude assembled, they took 10 men Speakers and are in search of 50 more. The soldiers in Manchester have not been undressed nor their horses unsaddled these ten nights. They think themselves strong enough to subdue the soldiers: in that respect we fear them not, but in the attempt many lives might be lost all unprepared to quit this scene of existence. Our Joe is just come in. It will be news to you that he is bound apprentice to a woollen draper for seven years. Joe is a very fine boy. My Mother and Ben went a few weeks ago to the funeral of my Uncle John, he died suddenly and has left seven children, he was my Mother’s eldest Brother. All our other relations in Rossendale are well. Mary Ann and Harriet Clarkson have opened a shop in this town. David is married and is doing very well. Betsy is in Manchester, she is not married tho’ she has had some good offers. I think she is very foolish. The younger children are at Bury with their Aunt. I never see them but they talk about you and Mr Waters. I think were you to see my Aunt you would not think her much altered, she is in excellent health and I daresay will live twenty years yet. My Father is very well. Benjamin is the same lad he ever was, I think you used to be fond of Ben, I am sure you would now, he is the life of the party. John and Molly are the same as ever save that John is married and has two children. I am very sorry you had to pay double postage for my last letter, I will however pay the postage of this. My Father never knew what it was to want until this last two years, trade has been uncommonly bad and he has had serious thoughts of giving it up. It is at present rather brisker. When he has it in his power to send you need not fear he will do it. I mean to advise my Father to send you a Christmas Box as I have a great many things I would like you to have. I wish you and Mr Waters a Merry Christmas and many happy new years. I should like very much to see you both – Goodbye –

Truly your affectionate sister 

      A. Butterworth