People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1803 (85)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Apologising for not writing sooner so that she is a letter in debt, providing details of their trip to Blackpool describing the shells on the beach and the bathing, they have three bunches of grapes in the hothouse, asking about her reading and recommending some books, commenting on the early frost and the impact it has had on their garden.

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1806 (134)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: She didn't read so much as usual over the Christmas period as she was so busy, she has got some pretty drawings from a weaver boy who has never been trained, describing some building works, they had plans to go to the theatre but could not get tickets without bribing the theatre manager which her father didn't wish to do, providing an update on her grandfather's health

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1805 (133)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Thanking her for her letter and complaining that she feels a bit neglected by how long it took, detailing her current book, and describing the weather, sending a riddle for Mary-Ann to try and solve

People featured: 3
Collection: Longsdon family
Item Number: D3580/C/210
Repository: Derbyshire Record Office
Summary: She has back returned from travelling from week in Alport. She commiserates with John on a ‘melancholy change’ (the loss of his friend?) and hopes his situation remains pleasant. She thanks him for his enquires about her health and explains that she is calm unless her husband is otherwise. John may think she has been too serious in her first letter but such a thought was brought on by the hurry her husband had put himself into concerning John's brother William. She longs to see her husband happy, as they both wish for their children. James adds a note about fishing tackle.

People featured: 2
Collection: Longsdon family
Item Number: D3580/C/204
Repository: Derbyshire Record Office
Summary: Writing metaphorically, she is hopeful that brighter and happier days are in store for them, and that storms are getting less frequent. She quotes Dr [Hugh] Blair on patient spirits. She discusses the weather and farming, before reassuring John that she will do well in cool weather and hopefully improve enough to tend to domestic concerns. She cannot take pleasure in the thought of sea bathing without his father's approval.

People featured: 4
Collection: Thoresby, Ralph Papers
Item Number: YAS/MS6/9
Repository: Brotherton Library, University of Leeds
Summary: Another cousin writes with a small amount of advice on Ralph’s loss, largely religious in content. Her writing is also affected by her being indisposed with a cold.

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1800 (58)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: She likes bathing, describing Bootle, the roads are very sandy, they have been collecting shells for him, describing their visitors and hoping that they are all well at home.

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: ENG 1041 f24
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Very brief note stating that she is better and that her cough is better.

People featured: 3
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: ENG 1041 f38
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Elizabeth wants Mary Ann to come and sleep there. Discussion of dogs and eating dumplings, there are ‘seats outside’ which you can sit on if you are tired from walking. She wishes she had given her family kisses before leaving. She hopes that Sally’s tooth will get better. Her nose bled today, and she wants to know how Mary Ann’s cold and deafness are.

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: ENG 1041 f26
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Betty has been enjoying her time away: she has been discussing blackberry picking and going for walks. She discusses the health of her doll.

People featured: 4
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1807 (162)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Sending a letter to accompany the books that their father is sending to Mary-Ann at school, providing updates on family news including visitors and James' excitement for the holidays, briefly discussing politics and the possible dissolution of Parliament, and the arrest of a thief in Liverpool that 14 picklocks on him.

People featured: 4
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1807 (181)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Expressing happiness that she has arrived safely, and that she has had no return of her illness, Miss Foster is going to a play tomorrow, providing information about visitors to the house

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1807 (153)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Providing an update from home since Mary-Ann left to go to school, Thomas and Hatfield have been asking to write to her, telling her of the various visitors they have had since she left, and about the black duck which has laid 6 eggs, describing Mr Bibby's alterations which have involved cutting down the trees near their garden boundary, postscript from Thomas junior telling her about their new domestic routine since she left

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1807 (176)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Detailed update on the election in Liverpool and the disruption caused by General Tarleton's friends, describing the garden, and apologising that the parcel arrived too late for the school performance, wishing it was time for her to come home

People featured: 6
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1807 (170)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Commenting on the lighter evenings, Mr Gregson from the bank has killed himself over some irregularities at the bank, she has been reading Edgeworth's Moral Tales, Mr Walker has died and his son did not get to London in time to be with him, Dorothy Burgess has also died, James has been fishing, describing the weather and the garden, sending materials to make some pincushions, discussing the merits of fruit instead of sweets

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1805 (128)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Thanking her for her letter and the news that her grandmother had arrived, they have visited the blind asylum twice since arriving in Liverpool, discussing the weather and the difficulties with hay-making, she keeps sleeping late so not sticking to James Boardman's advice while she is away from home, sending her love to everyone at home.

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1805 (124)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: A short letter telling her of their safe arrival at Travis Mill despite incessant rain, providing an update on Bessy's indisposition, their father is going to Huddersfield

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1807 (172)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: They are all planning to write her a few lines, she provides a long account of the political situation in Liverpool and the contested election, Dorothy has been unwell for several days, describing the garden and the work that they have been doing, asking for details of Mary-Ann's lessons at school, and hoping that she will get an opportunity to see Mary-Ann in the play she is performing at school

People featured: 5
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1807 (178)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Reprimanding her for not writing enough, she should be grateful for receiving so many letters, telling her not to send the shirts she has been making, she can bring them with her, Thomas fell out of a tree and hurt his leg, the Wainwright's children are nice, they have been visited by Millicent Nicholson who didn't stay the night

People featured: 5
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1807 (167)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Expressing relief at the news that Mary-Ann is still well and hasn't fallen ill following Miss Mangnall's illness, providing an update on the health of those at home, asking questions about other pupils at school, Mrs Griffiths has probably died by now, she was unwell when Mr Griffiths last visited, and discussion of political affairs including the dissolution of parliament and the abolition of slavery bill

People featured: 3
Collection: Thoresby, Ralph Papers
Item Number: YAS/MS6/3
Repository: Brotherton Library, University of Leeds
Summary: Rayner is ill, critically she thinks, and this means she cannot use her tongue and speak. She is asking Thoresby to pray for her.

People featured: 3
Collection: Thoresby, Ralph Papers
Item Number: YAS/MS6/4
Repository: Brotherton Library, University of Leeds
Summary: Letter to Ralph Thoresby from Elizabeth Rayner, Houghton, Yorkshire (27 Feb 1675/6). Extremely religious, containing lots of religious imagery and discussions of faith / spirit / soul. Complains of ill-health and situates this firmly in the context of God’s providence.

People featured: 2
Collection: Stevenson Papers: Sancho family
Item Number: Add MS 89077
Repository: British Library
Summary: Elizabeth is grateful for the offer from Stevenson. She hopes his health will be restored and his and his family will enjoy health and comfort. Images at https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/the-only-surviving-manuscript-letters-of-ignatius-sancho, images 49-50

People featured: 4
Collection: Stevenson Papers: Sancho family
Item Number: Add MS 89077/26
Repository: British Library
Summary: Elizabeth is grateful for Stevenson's financial support and she sends good wishes for his family's health. For images see: https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/the-only-surviving-manuscript-letters-of-ignatius-sancho, images 51-52.

People featured: 1
Collection: Stevenson Papers: Sancho family
Item Number: Add MS 89077/24
Repository: British Library
Summary: Elizabeth thanks Stevenson, and others, for their financial support. Help with her rent would make her easy; she has struggled since her mother died. Images at https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/the-only-surviving-manuscript-letters-of-ignatius-sancho, images 47-48

People featured: 2
Collection: Stevenson Papers: Sancho family
Item Number: Add MS 89077/28-29
Repository: British Library
Summary: Elizabeth presents a portrait of her father (Ignatius Sancho) and asks Stevenson where to send it. She requests her half year's annuity as she is about to move, and wishes Stevenson and his wife good health. Images at https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/the-only-surviving-manuscript-letters-of-ignatius-sancho, images 55-58.

People featured: 2
Collection: Stevenson Papers: Sancho family
Item Number: Add MS 89077/27
Repository: British Library
Summary: The letter is written by a cousin of Elizabeth Sancho, a sibling of William Priddie Lyon, informing the recipient that Elizabeth is moving from London to a small house in Hatcham. Images at https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/the-only-surviving-manuscript-letters-of-ignatius-sancho ; images 53-4.

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: Eng MS 1041 F9r-9v
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Discussion of introspection, self, mind

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: Eng MS 1041 F10r-10v
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Discussion of the passions, anger, emotions

People featured: 3
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: Eng MS 1041 F11
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Discussion of the passions, reason, anger, emotions, temper, moral virtues, with reference to reason / the head distinguishing humans from animals - possible link to animal spirits?

People featured: 3
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: Eng MS 1041 f12r-12v
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: A discussion of reason, the health of the body and the mind, the shortness of life,

People featured: 4
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: Eng MS 1041 F14r-14v
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: She includes a letter to sister and ask about Cozen Jack. A more perfunctory standard family letter.

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: Eng MS 1041 F13r-13v
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Apologizes for her lack of clarity of thought / her inability to write anything particularly improving. She is going to take a walk in the country and air to get away from the town.

People featured: 5
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 38 (1)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Apologising for the delay responding but she has been very tired, sharing news about her brother and his indisposition, extensive details about Mrs Joseph Wilson's illness and meditating on death and eternal life, describing her son and his curly hair. A postscript informs Margery of Mrs Wilson's death.

People featured: 5
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (42)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Hoping that Rebekah had a good journey to Leek, she was very low after Rebekah left, providing details of a bowel complaint that she and the baby have suffered from, asking for details of Rebekah's journey home with an infant in the coach, and telling her which items she has left behind, complaining that her father-in-law has reprimanded her husband for talking about politics in front of her, even though she has an interest in the news, now she has to wait until after dinner to hear about current affairs.

People featured: 3
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (39)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Thanking her for the bag which she will wear with great care even though it is old-fashioned, offering to pay for the ham that Rebekah had sent, expressing concern about Mr Bateman's safety due to the slipperiness of the roads, making plans to care for Rebekah herself as she has dismissed the nursery maid, she hopes to correct some elements of Rebekah's behaviour that she is not happy with.

People featured: 3
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder, 36 (6)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Expressing concern about the chapel at Mosley Street, she is sad she couldn't come to visit, providing updates on various friends and family, and providing instructions for Rebekah's journey to Bolton.

People featured: 4
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (13)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Informing her that she has heard about Rebekah's indisposition in her arms and has been worried for her, she has heard from friends that Mamma and Papa are improving, updating Rebekah on the progress of her pregnancy and morning sickness, providing advice on breastfeeding and weaning.

People featured: 3
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (44)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: She has heard it said that married women should be able to do two things at once, she is rocking the cradle and writing, describing her difficulties breastfeeding, and the new baby's tendency not to sleep, complaining at length about how busy she is particularly as she is short on servants, providing an update on Rebekah and how much she enjoys watching her growing understanding.

People featured: 5
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (33)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Expressing gratefulness for her situation in life, giving details of visitors to their house, commenting on the personality of Arthur and his tendency to 'rattle', details of Mrs C who has been obliged to leave her children and go into business, providing her usual update on the health of friends and acquaintances. Includes an engraving of the Revd Jonathan Scott, late of Matlock.

People featured: 7
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (26)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Writing hastily due to a number of guests and workmen in the house, discussing the health and wellbeing of various mutual acquaintances including the death of Daniel Matthewson, containing a detailed account of her father-in-law's sore toe which may or may not be gout, but has led them to worry about his overall health, describing her children as they grow larger and their teething issues.

People featured: 4
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (38)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Discussing the possibility of their parents moving away from Manchester to live with Rebekah, Cousin Margery's desire to also move to Gatley but she could not afford to live without business, joking about health and living near cows and pigs, a lengthy discussion of preachers for the Manchester chapel, she is having problems with her Nursery maid who is insolent, ungrateful, and saucy, and she has had to ask her to leave, discussing recent charitable donations and the price of sending orders by coach vs the waggons.

People featured: 4
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (12)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Explaining her decision not to send Rebekah's handkerchief yet, talking at length about her father-in-law's asthma and his composure in the face of death, providing details of his care within the household, providing details of visitors to her house in recent days.

People featured: 4
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (3)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Apologising for writing out of turn and mildly reproving her for not writing, wondering how William is and expressing concern he will forget her, she has been remarkably well despite moving to London and missing her family in Manchester, updates on the health of Aunt and Cousin Pearson, and Mr Priestley.

People featured: 3
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (32)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: A short letter because her guests arrive while she is writing, advising Rebekah to be careful not to catch cold, her pregnancy is proceeding well, she is better than the last time she was pregnant, providing limited details of family and friends.

People featured: 6
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (34)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Providing details of her own ill-health, her care from the Doctor throughout her pregnancy, and discussing pregnancy clothing for comfort, asking about Rebekah's household arrangements, providing information about her daughter Rebekah's health, Mrs Remington's health is failing again, giving updates on the health of friends and acquaintances.

People featured: 4
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (35)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: She received Rebekah's letter via cousin Robert, her daughter has had a cold, providing details of her pregnancy, her legs haven't swollen this time, giving updates on the health of various friends and acquaintances, including details of the birth of Mrs John Wilson's child, and recounting their dinner at the Mill's house.

People featured: 4
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (36)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Telling Rebekah of her low mood, her mind is sometimes 'deprest', providing details of her pregnancy and the pregnancies of Mrs Mills who is not as stout as she is, Rebekah Junior has recovered from her bowel complaint, providing details of Mrs Sibley's business, details of the advice she gave to Mr & Mrs Slatterie on marriage and upon the topics of his sermons.

People featured: 7
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (28)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Expressing her relief that Mr Bateman has arrived home safely, providing an update on Mr Wilson's toe, she is upset that one of the servants has been saying mean things about her to her friends, providing details of the health and wellbeing of various friends and acquaintances. Note that there is a shopping list on the envelope including prices.

People featured: 5
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (40)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Expressing happiness that she has more time this week than she has in recent weeks, she has had her brother to stay to save him living over his warehouse which is dirty and small, providing information of Mrs Joseph's health following a fright, making arrangements for Rebekah to visit, thinking about Mr Brothers' prophecy and how she is more affected by the sight of a poor child in the street than she is by false prophets, providing an update on Nancy Pearson's frail health.

People featured: 4
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (17)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: A short letter written while her daughter is being cared for by Betsy, she found Rebekah's sister in low mood but she improved with company, providing an update on her search for a maid, asking for more information about the scald that William has experienced.

People featured: 8
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (25)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Providing details of a wedding that they have recently attended, discussing the grief of the bride and groom's mothers as a result of their 'loss', giving information about the amount of work required to get the house ready for the new couple, details of the health of mutual friends and acquaintances, and detailing her concerns for the poor of Manchester if trade does not improve.

People featured: 3
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (8)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Expressing her concern at news of Rebekah's illness, providing details of her journey home through Warwick and Oxford, providing brief details of her guests in recent days, and wondering whether Mr Kennedy will be a popular preacher in Manchester.

People featured: 1
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (7)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Apologising for her delay in writing but she did not know where to direct the letter, providing details of her guests, enclosing Richard Jebbs' recipe for weakness and debility in case Rebekah should need it, expressing her concern at news of the unrest at Birmingham and London, and hoping it does not spread to Manchester.

People featured: 5
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (18)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Worrying about the health of her parents, Rebekah Junior has been unwell due to the Elizabeth's illness, her breast is sore from breastfeeding, making recommendations to treat William's burns, discussing the spread of small pox amongst their friends, consulting with her on child weaning.

People featured: 4
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (20)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Complaining about how busy she is and how this restricts the length of her letter, her daughter is well and recovered from her cold, expressing surprise at Molly Thomas' wedding as she swore she would not marry, expressing sadness that she does not live closer to her family as she wishes her family could spend more time with her daughter.

People featured: 7
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (19)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Expressing thanks for the welcome letters from Manchester, and for news of her Mamma and Papa's good health, updating on the progress of her daughter and her attempts to wean her with biscuits, details of Rebekah's order of snuff and china, the letter is cut short because she is worried that Rebekah is ill as she is being wranglesome.

People featured: 2
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (37)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Wondering what she is going to write about, assuming that Rebekah will have read her recent letter to their mother, informing Rebekah about the loss of their infant (either stillborn or newborn infant death), thanking God for choosing their child for salvation, and providing details of her recovery, providing details of Mrs Mill's delivery of a son.

People featured: 4
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (21)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Apologising for not writing, worrying about teething and hoping that the children's suffering can be sanctified, lengthy section on personal blessings and fitness to meet Death, providing updates on the health of friends and acquaintances.

People featured: 4
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 36 (23)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Giving details of religious meetings that she has attended and commenting upon the abilities of the preachers, comparing infant sleeping patterns, discussing various commissions that she has to provide Rebekah with fabric and carpet.