Mr dear Cousin
I recei’d your very agreeable favor & if you had stay’d at Manchester I woud have answered it by some friend but as I thought I never shoud have an opportunity of sending to Bolton I hope you will think that a sufficient reason why I troubled you with the postage of it. I was very sorry to hear by a letter of my sisters (dated Oct 4 by Mr Dinwiddie) that your Papa was not willing to prolong your stay at Manchester as I think it woud have been company for my Sister & improving to yourself however we must submit to the will of those older than ourselves & especially to that of our parents which duty I hope you & I shall ever remember & be enabled to persevere in you know the promise annexed to that commandment which is long life & prosperity to all those that keep it.
My dear Cousin I am now settled in my situation & shoud be very happy in your company at School with me but as that is quite impracticable tho had I the least prospect of entertaining the thought of I shoud encourage with
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a real pleasure however I hope by frequent intercourse by letter I shall have the pleasure to hear of your welfare & happiness which permit me to conclude without sincerely wishing you & your Sisters all the blessings this life can afford and believe me to be your
Very affectionate
Cousin
R Clegg
Northⁿ
Oct 11 1780
PS Pray give my duty to Uncle & Aunt Pearson, Smithson with love to my Cousins Reb. Peggy & Neddy yourself & Thomas included – tell A^unt & Uncle P a letter from them any time woud be thought a great favor. I wish you health to wear your new Apron. I should like to see it very well. Johny was very good to alter his mind I expect he will have almost forgot me by the years end I shoud love to see him & the rest at Shudehill in particular my little Pepper. Tell your Sister to call of her do[damaged] namesake if she comes up next Spring I wish she could pre[damaged] to bring my Sister with her.
You must excuse bad writing it is
not worth sending
Comp^nts to all Friends
Mr Whittenbury is just come in
Unexpected & I have an opp^y of sending to Man^r

Mr dear Cousin
I received your very agreeable favour & if you had stayed at Manchester I would have answered it by some friend but as I thought I never should have an opportunity of sending to Bolton I hope you will think that a sufficient reason why I troubled you with the postage of it. I was very sorry to hear by a letter of my sisters (dated Oct 4 by Mr Dinwiddie) that your Papa was not willing to prolong your stay at Manchester as I think it would have been company for my Sister & improving to yourself however we must submit to the will of those older than ourselves & especially to that of our parents which duty I hope you & I shall ever remember & be enabled to persevere in you know the promise annexed to that commandment which is long life & prosperity to all those that keep it.
My dear Cousin I am now settled in my situation & should be very happy in your company at School with me but as that is quite impracticable tho had I the least prospect of entertaining the thought of I should encourage with
[new page]
a real pleasure however I hope by frequent intercourse by letter I shall have the pleasure to hear of your welfare & happiness which permit me to conclude without sincerely wishing you & your Sisters all the blessings this life can afford and believe me to be your
Very affectionate
Cousin
R Clegg
Northampton
Oct 11 1780
PS Pray give my duty to Uncle & Aunt Pearson, Smithson with love to my Cousins Reb. Peggy & Neddy yourself & Thomas included – tell A^unt & Uncle P a letter from them any time would be thought a great favour. I wish you health to wear your new Apron. I should like to see it very well. Johny was very good to alter his mind I expect he will have almost forgot me by the years end I should love to see him & the rest at Shudehill in particular my little Pepper. Tell your Sister to call of her do[damaged] namesake if she comes up next Spring I wish she could pre[damaged] to bring my Sister with her.
You must excuse bad writing it is
not worth sending
Comp^nts to all Friends
Mr Whittenbury is just come in
Unexpected & I have an opp^y of sending to Man^r