abt. 1866/7 - Letter to Richard Terry junior in Tasmania from his sister Elizabeth near Market Harborough.

Transcription kindly contributed by Gwennith May Smith (1929-2010), great-granddaughter of Richard Terry, through her daughter Virginia Ling

Mareston Tussell Rectory

My deare brothers

It is with greate plessure itis down to write these few lines to you have the first time in my life but you must excuse my beed effort as I have never been taught to write only I have learnt my self since i have been away from home so you must excuse all mistakes - but i hope this few lines will find you well as it leaves me at this time, thank god fore it. i was very pleased to have & withere born you my self as i have often wished i could write a line to you but I have never been at home. when our dear mother as been neglecting so i have never made a begin to write

i was very sorry to hear you had such a bad harvest last year but i take it will be better for you this year it as been a bad yeare heare for it as been very wet weather which made it very bad for the business for it kept the corn about so long but thes last fortnight it as been fine and i belevee it is not very bad on the hole as pepol thought it would be but it is bad for poor people have none for they have to work very hard to make ends meet as the sayin goes but i have not knone what that is at present now i saw not in any having to try it as i think I am bettere of as I am - i have been heare for 13 years this week and am going to stay on again for a lettle time longere and then i must be like others i must try what a home of my one will be i am living with a Mr law you know i dearsay he came from gawcott ( ) we know so well when best i can beare to leave i was nurse but now most of my work is with the weller there is saven in family they was all little when i first come but now the young one is nearly grown up

but now dear brother i must go home hence and write you a letter about home i went to see my dear mother in law last and was very pleased to find her very comfortable and our sister Eliza lives with her and her family of five little ones and i think they are very happey togathere for her husband is very kind to our dear mother and Sarah leaves at tingewick to with her family so our mother is not left alone in this world but she has to work hard now dear father is gone and home does not seem like the same without him but he as go to a better place than this i hope weare the ( ) sees ( ) and the ( ) once at best dear brother i must tell you that i leave fourtey miles from towne so i cant tel you much about them as i only go home once a year but you will have another letter with her likeness before this reaches you and you may look at it and think you see her own peace for it is so like her

now how do you think our brother Joseph can be as you don't hear any thing about him what can have become of him poor feller can he write if he cant perhaps he can get any one to write for him - i hope you will hear some thing quite soon you will have a letter from home the same time as you will have this so i hope joseph will tell you other news then i did

i have sent you my likeness for your little ones to see what i am like when you all home i should like to see you with your wife and all your little ones with you i have got those have you sent in us about and shall keep it as long as i leve our sister fanny is luckily ...

This letter ends here.