London 23^d Decem^r 1778
Dear Sister
How shall I address you after so long silence
and on so melancholy an occasion but am confident you
will forgive me knowing the cause I was in hopes that
time would have wore it off a little but do not find it so –
every day brings fresh grief, I left my House the scheen of
sorrow [deleted] & went to my Sons thinking it might be
an advantage to him which perhaps it may but so
much young Compy {?is hose} spirits are high & gay is {?reather}
to much for one, when I retire to my Chamber my –
wounds then open afresh, I am now more setled & there is
not a day nay an hour when alone & free from employ{^ment}
that I with sorrow regret my unspeakable loss never to be
repaird surely no Man was more happy none ever lost
a better Wife none ever lost a better Mother nor a better friend
Numbers will feel it, I the most, especially at this season,
Her hand was open to every one in distress, why was I left
For such affliction, but why should I complain or repine,
I must not neither will I knowing whom has suffered it to
Be, & that my loss is Her everlasting gain I wish I could say
With Holy Job &c Blessed be the name of the Lord, but I must
Leave the subject my Eyes will not let me say more
[new page]
Though it has pleasd God to deprive me of my chief comfort in so blest and
Sweet Companion, I have great reason to be thankful knowing many
Blessing left especially in my Children, the Eldest has great Business
& dayly increases, the next very industrious and a fair prospect, the
Youngest not the least in Love is a fine Youth much improv^d, the
Gentlemen He is with has within this Month made him a present of ten
Guineas for his assiduity & advance^d him the like at Christmas and to
Add that sum Annualy so that his present income will become £50 P Ann
I do not mention this so much for the Money as the satisfaction it gives me
& all his friends, you will excuse this particular detail knowing it
will give you pleasure, how happy it would [deleted] have made his dear Mother,
I must say no more, I receiv^d your kind & obliging Letter & am happy to
hear you got the trifle I sent you safe being sure you would value them
though on such melancholy occasion, may you long live to wear them &
the latter part of life increase in comfort as in years, my Sister Dolly
is now in the room she has not any thing perticular to say hope to hear
& all around you wishing you the seasonable Complim^ts
Your Affect & Loving Brother
Dav^d Cooper
[new page]
PS/ I am oblidged to you for your intended present
[deleted] to be sent by M^r Wilson but Hes not coming that
day the Coach being full, left it with M^r Wilson whome
was to send one {?in/its} change but have not had it fullfill^d
Brother Charles has not receiv^d his also

London 23^d December 1778
Dear Sister
How shall I address you after so long silence
and on so melancholy an occasion but am confident you
will forgive me knowing the cause I was in hopes that
time would have wore it off a little but do not find it so –
every day brings fresh grief, I left my House the sheen of
sorrow [deleted] & went to my Sons thinking it might be
an advantage to him which perhaps it may but so
much young Company {?is whose} spirits are high & gay is {?rather}
too much for one, when I retire to my Chamber my –
wounds then open afresh, I am now more settled & there is
not a day nay an hour when alone & free from employ{^ment}
that I with sorrow regret my unspeakable loss never to be
repaired surely no Man was more happy none ever lost
a better Wife none ever lost a better Mother nor a better friend
Numbers will feel it, I the most, especially at this season,
Her hand was open to every one in distress, why was I left
For such affliction, but why should I complain or repine,
I must not neither will I knowing whom has suffered it to
Be, & that my loss is Her everlasting gain I wish I could say
With Holy Job &c Blessed be the name of the Lord, but I must
Leave the subject my Eyes will not let me say more
[new page]
Though it has pleased God to deprive me of my chief comfort in so blest and
Sweet Companion, I have great reason to be thankful knowing many
Blessing left especially in my Children, the Eldest has great Business
& daily increases, the next very industrious and a fair prospect, the
Youngest not the least in Love is a fine Youth much improv^d, the
Gentlemen He is with has within this Month made him a present of ten
Guineas for his assiduity & advance^d him the like at Christmas and to
Add that sum Annually so that his present income will become £50 P Ann
I do not mention this so much for the Money as the satisfaction it gives me
& all his friends, you will excuse this particular detail knowing it
will give you pleasure, how happy it would [deleted] have made his dear Mother,
I must say no more, I receiv^d your kind & obliging Letter & am happy to
hear you got the trifle I sent you safe being sure you would value them
though on such melancholy occasion, may you long live to wear them &
the latter part of life increase in comfort as in years, my Sister Dolly
is now in the room she has not any thing particular to say hope to hear
& all around you wishing you the seasonable Compliments
Your Affect & Loving Brother
David Cooper
[new page]
PS/ I am obliged to you for your intended present
[deleted] to be sent by M^r Wilson but Hes not coming that
day the Coach being full, left it with M^r Wilson whom
was to send one {?in/its} change but have not had it fulfil^d
Brother Charles has not receiv^d his also