From Thomas Waters Sr. to his wife Elizabeth Waters (May 20, 1840)

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

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

Birmingham 20 May 1840

My dear Wife,

Your Letter of the 17 I received the 19th. I am sorry your health does not improve although under all circumstances I cannot for the present expect that it will improve, but I hope and trust in the Almighty that all in good time it will, with proper care, by all means have Mr. John Butler an experienced man, he has had a great many years practice since you first saw him under an able teacher, his father, and the sooner you see him the better, that you may better understand each other, he may possibly give you some useful hints as his brother did, it is no good putting off such matters till the last moment, delays are dangerous, as is a want of skill and a firm resolution and presence of mind, your life ought not to be played with for trifles when so many children are dependant upon it for their Happiness and perhaps their future prosperity and if I was at a loss whom to have to assist the nurse I would recommend calling in Mrs.Webber or any other neighbour you thought proper, Bengimen will know where to find the Doctor, only be careful to let him know what Doctor, otherwise he may go to the wrong place, as for Mr.Baird by no means have him, an inexperienced nervous man he can have no claims on you for that service where your life is at stake and he perhaps in want of confidence in himself, and I suppose Mr.Hunter thinks he ought to have the priority of claim but I would have neither and neither will have any reason to be offended and I think Doctor Parkin will be better pleased, at all events of the two if you have one, you will displease the other, which it is as well to avoid if one can, on account of the benefit we can
derive from the dispensary, and it is as well also to attend to the nurses feelings if we can, that all things as far as they depend upon ourselves may work together for our good, let us leave nothing
wanting that we can think of to go right, we know after all that all depends upon the Almighty but then we have a will and that will we should direct to the best of our judgment, we will not neglect
providing for ourselves because we know the Almighty can provide for us whether we will or know, but put your shoulder to the wheel and the Almighty will prosper but not otherwise your undertaking or your wish or what ever it may be, all that I can say is that I do the best I can for the general good of the family and I hope you will do the same by taking the best care you can of your life and health which are too precious to be triffled with and I trust you have the means of furnishing yourself with all the necessary comforts, by the by there is Mrs.Thompson a kind hearted woman that you might look to for assistance in the time of need I believe she would be pleased for you to think she could be of service to you, as to the expence in the case of delivery do not let such folly stand in our way, let us not attempt to save farthings at the risk of throwing away Pounds.  I recommend you by no means to use for yourself the inferior Cocoa, it may suit strong stomachs very well when it may be very improper for delicate ones, corn beef and fat bacon may suit me when another may be recommended to take chicken broth, I have some more cocoa, I brought with me, left which I will send in good time, but I do not recommend you to take to drinking Cocoa only if you should occasionally have a desire, that you may have a little good in the house, John’s suits me very well, I am quite satisfied with it, and that which he is going to bring home at 8d a pound you can send me when opportunity occurs but do not use it yourself, I have a “London Directory”, therefore I can now tell where every trade in London is to be found and where every person of the least consequence lives, there is one cocoa manufacturer, Withers & Egy 71 Brackfriers road, Denton, Moore lane Cripplegate & Pritchard & Cornthwaite 157 Fenchurch Street besides several others in London the names of which I have before me-

I remain My dear Wife your affectionate and fond Husband

Tho^s. Waters