Campbells of Nelson, PA

Image of p1 of a letter from Mabel M. Essex,  
    Oct. 15, 1885

[A letter from 19 year old Mabel Mary Essex in Gloucestershire, to 14 year old Inez Hoyt (later Inez Boller), daughter of Mabel's 2nd cousin, Phoebe CAMPBELL Hoyt. Mabel and Inez never met, but when I was a teenager I got to meet and know one of Mabel's brothers, the Rev. Cannon Edward Claude Essex, who often spoke of Mabel. I did eventually get to visit the Stroud Valley, but not the villages of Minchinhampton or Stroud.I inherited the handwritten original, because Inez raised my mother (who was her niece and heir). - wbt]

Minchinhampton,

Oct 15th /85

 My Dear Cousin,

I am taking a great liberty in writing to you, but hope you will not be offended, we were all so very pleased to receive a letter from you, & dear Miss Hoyt I wish we were near each other to enjoy ourselves together. I have but one female cousin of the same age as myself, & I do not see her very often; so I thought I would make bold & write to you. I hope you do not get so much wet in your country as we get here for it seems as if we are always having rain, but I suppose we must not complain, but suppose it is sent for some wise purpose. My brother has shown me the letter & I hope you possess good eyes, if not you had better borrow someone's eye glasses to aid you I hear from my father that you have but one brother so you cannot realize what I have to under go, I have five & I only wish you could hear the noise they make sometimes, enough to send one distracted.

Mother is gone to London a week or two, so I have to stand in her place. I am very sure you will set me down as a very sour customer, but they tell me I am older in ways, than in years, so you must overlook this, knowing the cause thereof. I hope you will soon give us the pleasure of seeing your photograph, we admire Cousin Grace's very much. I think the Nelson People are better artists than our Stroud folks are. I am afraid that I shall tire you with all this epistle, & it is time for me to retire. I will close this with the fondest love to yourself & dearest, Miss Hoyt & my kindest regards to Mr. Hoyt.1

Allow me to remain yours truly
M. M. Essex

To Miss Ina [sic] L. Hoyt


1. Mabel could either have been referring to Inez' father, William Hoyt, or to her brother, Joseph D. Hoyt.-wbt

Copyright © 2018 William B. Thompson. Commercial use prohibited.

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