259 - Thomas Nicholson to Sister Boardman, 4 January 1798
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Copy from Brother Thomas Nicholson to Sister Boardman
Manchester, 4 Jany 98
Dr Sister,
It was with pleasure I learnt from my Bror Boardman’s
Letter written on Sunday last that your son Samuel was
much better, but your Letter to our dear sister Hatfield
has abated our hopes of his recovery – I yet hope more
favourable accounts.
Our dear sister Hatfield still continues in a very
weak state – yet must daily grow still weaker. She
has ease from Laudanum ‘till its effects are over, when
her Cough again become troublesome & painful
the severity of which so overpowers the strength
she had left that every repetition her attendants
think will be too much for her. She is sensible and
tranquil, but says little or nothing. My Brother
has written to her an excellent letter. She said upon
being told of it “I am striving all the other way” and
it has not been read to her. It probably would affect
her greatly. Your letter about poor Sam would grieve
her. It is not likely that any change of the state
she is in will take place while she exists. So if you
do not hear further you may conclude she continues
nearly the same. Nothing now can be done for her by
human power, but administering lulling medicine
& kind attention; which the goodness of my Aunt ni=
=cholson fully supplies with her husband’s & Miss
Hannah Hatfield’s & Miss Roberts’s ?assiduity & their
servant. Peggy is a treasure – she is wakful kind &
attentive & good temper’d in an uncommon degree which
you will be glad to hear.
[28v]
Reflections on the case of our dear sister has made of her
Talents – her improved intellect fitting her for more
perfect society of the course great happiness that awaits
her removal hence – may for our loss abate, but
cannot remove, our regret.
May the greatest good attend you & yours my
dear sister. My wife writes in every good wish.
She is tolerable in health, as are our Betsy and
James – tho’ Betsey I think is very delicate.
The Isle Children – bless them! are very well.
They are not sensible of the loss they will ere
long sustain - & my Brother Hatfield I hope
will bear it as a Christian. I am, dear Mary!
with love to my Brothers, Betsey, Sam & the
Children yours affectionately
Tho. Nicholson.
Copy from Brother Thomas Nicholson to Sister Boardman
Manchester, 4 Jany 98
Dr Sister,
It was with pleasure I learnt from my Bror Boardman’s
Letter written on Sunday last that your son Samuel was
much better, but your Letter to our dear sister Hatfield
has abated our hopes of his recovery – I yet hope more
favourable accounts.
Our dear sister Hatfield still continues in a very
weak state – yet must daily grow still weaker. She
has ease from Laudanum ‘till its effects are over, when
her Cough again become troublesome & painful
the severity of which so overpowers the strength
she had left that every repetition her attendants
think will be too much for her. She is sensible and
tranquil, but says little or nothing. My Brother
has written to her an excellent letter. She said upon
being told of it “I am striving all the other way” and
it has not been read to her. It probably would affect
her greatly. Your letter about poor Sam would grieve
her. It is not likely that any change of the state
she is in will take place while she exists. So if you
do not hear further you may conclude she continues
nearly the same. Nothing now can be done for her by
human power, but administering lulling medicine
& kind attention; which the goodness of my Aunt ni=
=cholson fully supplies with her husband’s & Miss
Hannah Hatfield’s & Miss Roberts’s ?assiduity & their
servant. Peggy is a treasure – she is wakful kind &
attentive & good temper’d in an uncommon degree which
you will be glad to hear.
[28v]
Reflections on the case of our dear sister has made of her
Talents – her improved intellect fitting her for more
perfect society of the course great happiness that awaits
her removal hence – may for our loss abate, but
cannot remove, our regret.
May the greatest good attend you & yours my
dear sister. My wife writes in every good wish.
She is tolerable in health, as are our Betsy and
James – tho’ Betsey I think is very delicate.
The Isle Children – bless them! are very well.
They are not sensible of the loss they will ere
long sustain - & my Brother Hatfield I hope
will bear it as a Christian. I am, dear Mary!
with love to my Brothers, Betsey, Sam & the
Children yours affectionately
Tho. Nicholson.
Thomas Nicholson to Sister Boardman, 4 January 1798
Responds to news that son Samuel is much better, reports that Sister Hatfield is not improving and implies she is near death. She is growing increasingly weaker and has a painful cough – she is taking laudanum and being nursed by family and a servant. Discussion is religious in tone – suggests ‘nothing can be done for her now by human power’. Thomas foreshadows the grief that will come upon Sister Hatfield’s death. Reports that his wife and the children are well, and expresses concerns about how the close relatives of Sister Hatfield will bear the loss – expresses hopes that they will cope with this grief in a Christian manner.
Nicholson Family Papers
ENG 1041 f28
John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
1798
1
4
Manchester [Lancashire, England]
[England]
To Cite this Letter
Thomas Nicholson to Sister Boardman, 4 January 1798, 411798: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester, Nicholson Family Papers, ENG 1041 f28
To Cite this Edition
Material Identities, Social Bodies: Embodiment in British Letters c.1680-1820. Compiled by: Karen Harvey, Helen Esfandiary, Sarah Fox, Emily Vine, University of Birmingham. Project funded by the Leverhulme Trust (2021-2025, Ref. RPG-2020-163), https://socialbodies.bham.ac.uk.