[Thomas Waters, R.M.. to his wife, Elizabeth]
Addressed to Mrs. Lt. Waters R.Marines, Mulgrave Place, Woolwich, Kent
H.M.S, Maidstone Portsmouth 10 Sept. 1827
My Dearest Love
I received those things on saturday which you so kindly sent by Ann, Hindle rather wished his Wife to have remained at home untill he arrived, but I do not believe he is vexed with her now, on the contrary, he seems extremely happy with her, but aboard Ship is a bad place for females. My Accompts with my Agent are very satisfactory I find I am not in debt to him, and more than that since my Accompts were made out he has received forty-seven pounds prize money and about ten pounds more he will receive next Saturday. Your eye being bad I wish my dearest Love you would not write so much it makes me write sooner than I otherwise would, by straining your eyes so much on the paper and Ink I am afraid it may retard the care and make you unhappy, when I come home, on account of your not being able to sew – Your letters are most engaging to your Husband, they are warm and affectionate they are, I may say, too good your tender expressions will sometimes make me think I do not deserve so much love but I promise you my charming Love that I will never wilfully hurt your feelings, although, my ill humour sometimes may, at the same time I hope my general conduct will be always satisfactory to you as yours has always been to me and I still say you are dearer to me now than you was when I hurried down from Woolwich on the wings of Love to be united to you in the Holy bands of Matrimony and may the Almighty grant that our Love for each other may never decrease.
Lieut. Wingrove tells me Mrs. Col. Wingrove is very much pleased with your management of your family. You will lose an invaluable friend in Mrs Nicholls if she goes to Ascension, Miss Bealey, I am sure, is a warm friend of yours, we must thank the Almighty for the blessings we have received and endeavour to deserve them. My sweet children, I have received their notes. may the Almighty protect the dear innocents and ever keep them virtuous, as long as they are good they will be beloved, tell the sweet dears I hope soon to be home with them – It is supposed we shall be paid off about next thursday or friday, I shall be five days on the march besides Sunday, we leave Portsmouth the day after we land. I remain
My Affectionate Wife Ever Yours Most truly Thos. Waters