From Joseph Butterworth to his daughter Mrs. Elizabeth Waters (November 20, 1821)

[Joseph Butterworth to his daughter Elizabeth Waters]
Addressed to Mrs Waters, Marchwood, near Southampton

Rochdale, Nov^r. 20th 1821

My Dear Daughter

I duly received your Letter of Oct 17th informing me of your having left Kingsland Place & removed to Marchwood, & that you were all in good health, which I & all my family were very glad to hear, & I hope you have since continued so- You mention nothing of any increase of Family, from this I conclude you have still only two. I own I should have liked to heard more of them, whether they can run about. I should think my Namesake Joe by this time is become a very pleasant little fellow; when you write again which I hope will be soon be very particular about them – I hope you will like your new Situation very well, but I think you will find keeping a Cow more troublesome than you imagine, & more expensive for if the Newspapers speak true you are in a Country where every necessary of life is stated at one half less than here which makes me conclude that Produce is cheaper for the buyer than it can be produced. Sergeant Squire called on me some time back informing me that he had called at Kingsland Place, and I was much pleased at his Kindness. I fancy he has left this Neighbourhood as I have seen nothing of him since. I am happy to say all my family are well except myself. Ben, is got very tall but not lusty. Alice is both. Joe is an apprentice to a Woollen Draper a Mr Leah in Packer Street & the situation is a very pleasant one both for his Master & himself, he promises to be lusty & stout.

My Aunt is very well & often wonders how you are coming on. My illness is a swelling of my Legs which I got on a visit into Rossendale. I went with Mr Munn 2 Days on to the moors a shooting which from the wetness of the weather I found soaking wet, they began to inflame very much & I had to return Home sooner than I intended. The inflamation has entirely left, but the swelling still continues particularly towards Evening. I hope in a short time they will be well. Trade here is good in general & all very peaceable we have no Soldiers. In the cotton manufacturing districts they are lowering wages, which was unexpected but it is all times subject to fluctuation more than the woolen. I now conclude joined in best respects by all my family to you, Mr Waters, & the Little ones & I hope to hear from you very soon-
I remain Dear Daughter

Your affectionate Father
           Joseph Butterworth