[ANNOTATION: The Rev. John Ryland died at Enfield 24 July 1792 aged 68, & was buried at Northampton.] [ANNOTATION: His son the Rev. John Ryland (afterwards D.D.) was co-pastor with his father at the time this letter was written. He died at Bristol 1825 aged 72.]

My dearest Sister
I rece’d your letter of Feby 28 & March 4 & was very glad to see my Uncle Richardson he came at 5 o Clock in y^e morn^g & likewise Mr Berry I was forced to see them in a Bed-Gown & night Cap. My Uncle told me he shoud come thro’ again in a week or 10 days therefore deferred writing till his return.

You beg to know how we spent y^e fast day in y^e morning we heard Mr Ryland preach from Ezei 18th 20th in y^e afternoon Mr Horsey from Isaih 1st 16th 17th 18th in y^e evening Mr Ry-d preach’d from Num^r 25th part of y^e 13th verse. “Because He was zealous for his God.” I think Mr Priestly was much in y^e right for keeping his Congregation so long but I hope you had something before you went out. But my dear how small a part is abstaining from meats of what is required of us & what is included in a national fast: I wish I coud tell you my thoughts were properly fixed. Pray remember me to Miss Clarkson & I intend complying with her request if she will be so kind as to excuse faults. I was very sorry to hear Mrs Bradbury [ANNOTATION: she died 1815] & Betty Thomas had been so poorly give my best respects to them & also to M^rs Wilson when you see her & tell her I wish her much happiness. I was last Monday at Mr Smiths to drink tea when I got some lace for my apron

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it looks very handsome indeed; I hope my Mamma won’t think me too extravagant when she know y^e price it was 3^s 9^d p^r y^d & I had 3 ½ y^ds of it. I am much obliged to you for y^e shades [ANNOTATION: i.e. profile likenesses] you sent I was vastly struck with them at first sight & I assure I often look at them with pleasure. I have not yet begun your apron but shall very soon I have nearly finish’d my Mamma’s Robbins. I shall be very glad to hear from Miss A Wilson I must beg of you to apologise for me to Miss Wilson for not writing. We are in daily expectation of Mr Dinwiddie when I hope to hear from you again mean while I am with duty to Papa Mama Uncles & Aunts love to all as if named

your very affectionate

Sister R Clegg
(Northampton)
March 1
[damaged] 1781

Miss Reeves Hodson & Simpson join with me in love to my dear sister shoud like to know whether you have heard from Miss S Simpson yet if you write give my love.

[Newspaper clipping stuck to letter] Died 16 Dec 1822 On Monday week, after a short illness, Miss Wilson of Ardwick, at the house of her sister Mrs Wilson [note in the second hand] Miss Ann Wilson died at her sisters (Mrs Wilson) at the Polygon Ardwick near Manchester 16 Dec 1822 aged about 58. Miss Mary W. married her cousin, Benjⁿ Wilson Merch^t of Ardwick and is living there 1824, his widow – she died 28 June 1830 aged 63. S.P.

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I rece’d Molly Thomas’ letter on sabbath day & thought I something remarkable y^r she shoud mention M^r Rylands text which was Hosea y^e 14 & 8 “I am like a green Fir-tree from me is thy fruit found” he spoke from it very beautifully & gave us 5 Ideas in which y^e Fir tree resembles Christ “1 its tallness denotes his Majesty 2 its Beauty Elegance his Beautiful Nature 3 its verdure or evergreenness his Eternity & Immutability 4 y^e dropping of its Branches downward denotes his Condescension 5 its shadiness y^e protection which Christ affords from y^e Storm & tempest to all who fly to him: He also obser’d y^t y^e Chapter had a particular reference to y^e Jews but belonged to y^e Gentiles too let not old {?Clip} promise (as Mr Bunyan calls unbelief) cheat us out of this Chapter as he has many others”: you know I always prick up my ears when I hear old Bunyan mentioned so I thought I woud tell you too. It rejoinced me much to hear of y^e increase of y^e meetings I do assure you I often wish to go with you tho I cou’d not have more privelidges with you than I have here I want a grateful sense of them I believe y^t y^e way to have mercys increased is to be thankful for what are past but we are very short here & all our services are mixed with a deal of sin & imperfection. Pray have you seen a new publication of letters M^r Newton has wrote, Miss Sally Simpson talked of send ^g them you but perhaps she may {^have} forgot. Pray accept of my best love & be assured I am at all times your very affectionate Sister. Give my love to our Molly Alice Lowe Esther & Phebe Moss. Betty & Molly Thomas my Aunt Richardson Ramsey Spear & Aunt Joseph all y^e rest as if named. I have sent my Mammas {?Robbins} with my duty to her & Papa. Farewell my dearest sister



Miss Clegg
Shudehill
Manchester
By favor of Mr Richardson

[ANNOTATION: The Rev. John Ryland died at Enfield 24 July 1792 aged 68, & was buried at Northampton.] [ANNOTATION: His son the Rev. John Ryland (afterwards D.D.) was co-pastor with his father at the time this letter was written. He died at Bristol 1825 aged 72.]

My dearest Sister

I received your letter of Feby 28 & March 4 & was very glad to see my Uncle Richardson he came at 5 o Clock in y^e morn^g & likewise Mr Berry I was forced to see them in a Bed-Gown & night Cap. My Uncle told me he should come thro’ again in a week or 10 days therefore deferred writing till his return.

You beg to know how we spent y^e fast day in y^e morning we heard Mr Ryland preach from Ezei 18th 20th in y^e afternoon Mr Horsey from Isaih 1st 16th 17th 18th in y^e evening Mr Ry-d preached from Num^r 25th part of y^e 13th verse. “Because He was zealous for his God.” I think Mr Priestly was much in y^e right for keeping his Congregation so long but I hope you had something before you went out. But my dear how small a part is abstaining from meats of what is required of us & what is included in a national fast: I wish I could tell you my thoughts were properly fixed. Pray remember me to Miss Clarkson & I intend complying with her request if she will be so kind as to excuse faults. I was very sorry to hear Mrs Bradbury [ANNOTATION: she died 1815] & Betty Thomas had been so poorly give my best respects to them & also to M^rs Wilson when you see her & tell her I wish her much happiness. I was last Monday at Mr Smiths to drink tea when I got some lace for my apron

[new page]

it looks very handsome indeed; I hope my Mamma won’t think me too extravagant when she know y^e price it was 3^s 9^d p^r y^d & I had 3 ½ y^ds of it. I am much obliged to you for y^e shades [ANNOTATION: i.e. profile likenesses] you sent I was vastly struck with them at first sight & I assure I often look at them with pleasure. I have not yet begun your apron but shall very soon I have nearly finished my Mamma’s Robbins. I shall be very glad to hear from Miss A Wilson I must beg of you to apologise for me to Miss Wilson for not writing. We are in daily expectation of Mr Dinwiddie when I hope to hear from you again mean while I am with duty to Papa Mama Uncles & Aunts love to all as if named

your very affectionate
Sister R Clegg
(Northampton)
March 1
[damaged] 1781

Miss Reeves Hodson & Simpson join with me in love to my dear sister should like to know whether you have heard from Miss S Simpson yet if you write give my love.

[Newspaper clipping stuck to letter] Died 16 Dec 1822 On Monday week, after a short illness, Miss Wilson of Ardwick, at the house of her sister Mrs Wilson [note in the second hand] Miss Ann Wilson died at her sisters (Mrs Wilson) at the Polygon Ardwick near Manchester 16 Dec 1822 aged about 58. Miss Mary W. married her cousin, Benjⁿ Wilson Merch^t of Ardwick and is living there 1824, his widow – she died 28 June 1830 aged 63. S.P.

[new page – insert]

I received Molly Thomas’ letter on sabbath day & thought I something remarkable y^r she should mention M^r Rylands text which was Hosea y^e 14 & 8 “I am like a green Fir-tree from me is thy fruit found” he spoke from it very beautifully & gave us 5 Ideas in which y^e Fir tree resembles Christ “1 its tallness denotes his Majesty 2 its Beauty Elegance his Beautiful Nature 3 its verdure or evergreenness his Eternity & Immutability 4 y^e dropping of its Branches downward denotes his Condescension 5 its shadiness y^e protection which Christ affords from y^e Storm & tempest to all who fly to him: He also observed y^t y^e Chapter had a particular reference to y^e Jews but belonged to y^e Gentiles too let not old {?Clip} promise (as Mr Bunyan calls unbelief) cheat us out of this Chapter as he has many others”: you know I always prick up my ears when I hear old Bunyan mentioned so I thought I would tell you too. It rejoiced me much to hear of y^e increase of y^e meetings I do assure you I often wish to go with you tho I could not have more privileges with you than I have here I want a grateful sense of them I believe y^t y^e way to have mercies increased is to be thankful for what are past but we are very short here & all our services are mixed with a deal of sin & imperfection. Pray have you seen a new publication of letters M^r Newton has wrote, Miss Sally Simpson talked of send ^g them you but perhaps she may {^have} forgot. Pray accept of my best love & be assured I am at all times your very affectionate Sister. Give my love to our Molly Alice Lowe Esther & Phebe Moss. Betty & Molly Thomas my Aunt Richardson Ramsey Spear & Aunt Joseph all y^e rest as if named. I have sent my Mammas {?Robbins} with my duty to her & Papa. Farewell my dearest sister

Miss Clegg
Shudehill
Manchester
By favor of Mr Richardson