From Thomas Waters Sr. to his wife Elizabeth Waters (March 3, 1840)

[Thomas Waters, R.M., to his wife, Elizabeth]

Addressed to Mrs Capt.Waters R.M., King Street, Woolwich, Kent

Birmingham 3 March 1840

My Dear Wife,

Your letter of the 28th Ult, came to hand next morning, no doubt it was past 4 when your former letter was put in the office, if it was after Mary came from Church – I am sorry for your illness and for Jane’s – my letters do not require immediate answering, you will do well to write as I do that is, only when you have inclination and time and anything particular to say; then writing is agreeable not otherwise. You will do well to draw a couple of fives more from the Saving Bank, I think, in case of exigence, while Thomas is at home, with respect to your drawing upon my Agent, perhaps you would rather get the bill cashed at the Bank, you might feel more independent. you  would have to leave it I suppose two or three days only, then pay a shilling and have done with it, unless you but [buy?] John’s fustian [thick durable twilled cloth] at Vant’s and then get it cashed, but I would wish you to do that which is most agreeable to yourself – You must be in a sad mess with all the work people about you, but if I was you I would endeavour to have the necessary emptied, if they will not put a drain to it, at all events, for you know it will be a good job over, probably they can carry it out at the back of the new houses- If you are treated with disrespect at the Dispensary, you had better mention it to Mr.Baird, or even to Dr.Parkin, you can easily send a note to him, when medicine is ordered again so late at night, you had better request the Doctor to be so good as to send it down, as the Sentry will not allow any one to pass in through the gate- I am glad Miss Gibson is with you-  Hindle’s Wife is playing the fool again, and threatens to go to the Commandants as soon as she is better, to have her rights, although Hindle gave his wife the half sovereign which I lent him before he left, and you have paid her ten shillings, from him, since, but nothing will satisfy her unruly disposition.-  Your
letter of yesterday I received today, and am glad to find that Jane is better and has cut another tooth, poor little charmer her grief must be very distressing. It must be a sad disappointment to Thomas, but he must learn to bear up with resolution, for he must expect many in going through life, unless he should be far more fortunate than I have been, or the generality of others whether rich or poor. With respect to the Chest, I wish you to follow your judgment and get it when and where you think best. I quite approve of his getting it as soon as he can and of his fitting it up to his liking, I think it will be quite unnecessary to go to Bissett’s intended price, who will be so much more able to take of it on shore. Thomas wants a good strong one, it matters not how rough and clumsy, that will bear knocking and tumbling about, let it have strong hinges and lock, and much as possible water tight, on the other side, I advised drawing two fivers but at present, perhaps, you will not need them, as you will draw from my Agent, and, I suppose, by the beginning of next month you will have some from Devon. I approve of your buying the socks and stockings and any thing else you think proper. John must not get cocoa for me at Tower Royal unless he can get it at 10 l/2d or 11d pr lb and then he must have 14 lb, they will not sell less at that price, you had better tell him so, for I can get it here but not so cheap- I should not approve, if I was you, of Miss Williams’ making any new changes. Thomas is employing himself well. 

Love to Children – Yours Affectionately

    Tho^s. Waters

Hindle wishes you to send half a Sovereign to his Wife. He wishes for her to endeavour to make herself comfortable, and that as soon as he can send her more money he will, at present he cannot.