My Dear B
You see I have not been long in
answering yours a favorable opportunity offer^g
by M^r Edensor, I coud not think of neglecting
it; the business mention’d in yours, I hope is
settled to your satisfaction Natn^l Howarth
call’d twice about the business himself [deleted]
which I woud hope is a good sign, tho’ Uncle Smithⁿ
thinks he is not to be defended {?on} but James
is thought a substansial man, & unfortunate
enough to have more of his Bro^rs debts to answer
for than yours. I was very glad to find you go
on so well at home from which I gather that
my time is to be prolong’d till this day week
& as Cousin Rebeka proposes coming with me
she cannot conveniently come sooner on
account of her work, therefore shall be be very
glad to see you then, or if you cannot come
I will be with you then if nothing happens
[new page]
tho’ I would rather you came for us, but that I [damaged]
have to yourself. Your [deleted] Son is very well [damaged ]
happy, he was at M^rs Cross’s School yesterday
afternoon & was very content, he wanted to {?go}
again today but we have kept him at {?home}
for fear of confining him too much [damaged]
will tell you he saw us at my Uncle Pearsons
we have been dining here today & I just saw
him pass the door & sent for him. We are all
well & our friends beg their joint respects, with
which my own is sincerely united
I remain my D^r B
Your affectionate
Wife R Bateman
Bolton
Jany 13 1790

My Dear B
You see I have not been long in
answering yours a favorable opportunity offer^g
by M^r Edensor, I coud not think of neglecting
it; the business mention’d in yours, I hope is
settled to your satisfaction Natn^l Howarth
call’d twice about the business himself [deleted]
which I woud hope is a good sign, tho’ Uncle Smithⁿ
thinks he is not to be defended {?on} but James
is thought a substansial man, & unfortunate
enough to have more of his Bro^rs debts to answer
for than yours. I was very glad to find you go
on so well at home from which I gather that
my time is to be prolong’d till this day week
& as Cousin Rebeka proposes coming with me
she cannot conveniently come sooner on
account of her work, therefore shall be be very
glad to see you then, or if you cannot come
I will be with you then if nothing happens
[new page]
tho’ I would rather you came for us, but that I [damaged]
have to yourself. Your [deleted] Son is very well [damaged ]
happy, he was at M^rs Cross’s School yesterday
afternoon & was very content, he wanted to {?go}
again today but we have kept him at {?home}
for fear of confining him too much [damaged]
will tell you he saw us at my Uncle Pearsons
we have been dining here today & I just saw
him pass the door & sent for him. We are all
well & our friends beg their joint respects, with
which my own is sincerely united
I remain my D^r B
Your affectionate
Wife R Bateman
Bolton
Jany 13 1790