From Elizabeth Waters to her husband Thomas Waters Sr. (April 28, 1834)

[Elizabeth Waters, née Butterworth. to her husband, Thomas Waters R.M.]
Addressed to Capt.T.Waters R.M., H.M.S.Barham, Chatham, Kent

Mulgrave Place Ap 28 – 1834

My dearest love

You have surprised me much in saying that Hindle has not paid you the last 4£ that being now the sum that I have paid his wife understanding from his letters which I read myself that you had that money of his in your keeping. nothing else could have induced me, and I am very sorry to have been so foolish. surely they will pay it, altho Ann spends her money very silly even now she is buying new bed curtains she came to ask my advice and I told her not telling her at the same time that her Husband had not paid you the 4£ as he gave us to understand long ago. she appeared quite astonished and said she was very sorry but will see me paid — We are all very happy with the thoughts of soon seeing you. I have not yet announced your arrival to Sister or Brother  Your plan for the Children is very good but at the present it is differently arranged  Mary and Eliz are to have the Closet Ben the Crib Joseph back room in a bed alone John and Thomas in one bed in the same room, the House is sadly out of repair but we have a new landlord his name is Mitchel. Miss Bealey says he is a very reasonable man I have not spoken to him altho he has been with Capt Molsworth in our yard to look at the Water, we have the same Young Woman with us she has been with us this two Years as a Char Woman she washes very well and I give her 3s the week she comes every Morning at 9 oClock and stops till twelve on the Monday she is here at five or six has her Meals and stops all day, Sundays we are all alone —

our garden is in a sad state of desolation neither weeds or wheat growing there. perhaps it would not have been in that state had Mr Dale repaired the fence sooner. a nother thing Necessary wants emptying it is very dangerous the foundation has given way and so has the wood work, I am not so anxious to leave the house the bottom kitchen I dislike living in, sometimes I am not in good spirits and that does not improve them – there will be no occasion thank God for my drawing upon Capt Maddon again there is 40£ in the savings bank and that is all I am worth  Mary is learning French again of a Mr LaFargue with the Miss Nicolls at the House and one of Doct. Parkins daughters. Joseph learns from the same Master. how delightful it is to have you so near home with the happy prospect of soon being with  My Neighbours have indeed been all very kind Major Taylors Kindness I will tell you about at your return which you must think is great when I promised never to forget him, this will be the last letter directed Barham, ever

Yours My Dearest Love

   E Waters

the Childrens Love and pray write again if you can spare the time