Hendon Oct.r 17 1859

My very Dear Uncle

Many thanks to you for your kindness for so long a letter, after so long a silence, which I received safe just 20 days after you wrote it. Now George Leach received your letter that you speak of six years and a half ago for he sent it to me and I let my Dear Aunt Mary know and I wrote to you and so did my Aunt and I sent her note with my letter, whether George Leach did or not I cannot say, and my letter came back from America just one year after I sent it to you stating not to be found, so I said write old Jacob as he did about Joseph – doubt he is Dead, and now my dear Uncle, what a change my heart seems too full to proceed has come over our [end of page]

[Page 2] Family circle what a ---------------

Blank yes my eyes filled with tears, I can scarcely see to write. They are nearly all gone, you nor I shall see them again in this world. Now the sad tale. Grandfather, grandmother, Uncle William, Aunt Hannah, my mother, and my dear Aunt Mary at Newton--they are all gone the way of all flesh. My Aunt Elizabeth came to see me some time – her head seems very much affected, she is a poor creature but I believe a good woman. My Uncle John came to see me and stayed on 3 days with me. He is the only one at Fringford now and it is 7 years since I saw him. The last time I was there your Brother Thomas and me stood by the Death bed of my Aunt Mary. I dare not complain [end of page]

[Page 3] at what the Lord has done. He knows what is best and he will take you and me when he sees fit, so I dare not say what doesn’t though, do you ask how did Mary die, well you know how she lived. About the last words she said to me, where Jesus that had been with her in life would not leave her in death, and there my Dear Uncle Thomas and me knelt together and prayed, for let me tell you, your Brother Thomas is a new man born again and a preacher of the gospel. The people say at Fringford a second James Claydon is come again, but he now is gone with his family into Warwickshire to live. This was the last I heard of him. I saw by your other letter your loss of my Aunt, in this I see you gain well, I smiled [end of page]

[Page 4] when we say you were married again. We wish you and your wife [Charity] much joy and every blessing you need. We are glad to hear you are well and doing well. A little about London. Walter is gone to New Zealand. George Leach is in London but where I do not know. I am happy to say me and wife and children are all well in body and as regards this world are doing well. We are living at Hendon now, not Pope St. and are allow me to say respected by all and respectable. I have 3 boys, James, George and Fredrick. That is our lot. The names of the people that have asked after you are too many to mention, but all said you were dead. Now forgive me if I say you ought to have wrote before. I should but did not know where to write to all the Hendon friends join in love to you with me and my wife. Old Mrs. Wolly has felt quite concerned about you. Dear Uncle, adieu.