Graham Letter - Joshua Stobbs 1853

John Grahams mother wished him to return to England, and so did his brother-in-law and good friend, Joshua Stobbs, who was married to his sister Elizabeth and lived in Greenfield. Joshua wrote in April. Durham Records Office Ref: D/X 1035/7 April 2nd 1853 Dear Brother I take the opportunity of writing these few worthy lines to you, which you will have thought me long of sending,* but we hope they will find you in good health, and I can say that we all enjoy good health as this leaves us at present, their has been some alterations since you left I have got a washing place at Breckonsyke, but I have not begun yet, but I think I shall not be long, your brother Thomas which has been long powerly (poorly), but he has got a good deal better again, and is working now with my old partners at foreend of Burtreepasture, William** is working at Breckonsyke at a length 6 pts and gets his 2£ per month he had been of pleasuring this Easter with a good deal more at Newcastle upon Tyne seeing the wrestling with which their was 100£ to contend for, which the following prizes was won as follows, Jns. Whitehead, heavy weight Jos. Halliwell 11 st Jos. Harrington 9 ½ st. which all our Weardale men went down, and besides that he has seen a great many curiosities of which they would be a good deal easier told if I could see you, your kind and affecianate sister talks a great deal about you, and she says she would be very glad to see you again, either drunk or sober, but it is not to say one off us but every one would be very glad to see you again, I should be very ready to meet you at the place where we parted, And that your sister Isabelle has had an increase of family Feb. 26th 1853 of a daughter and I dare say they are all in good health, and your sister Hannah too, has got a daughter, April 1st 1853 and I dare say they all enjoy good health, I must tell you that your brother Willian has been long powerly has had a long severe illness of about 8 or 9 weeks, but he has got some better now both in body and mind, and that we are all very much pleased, and all the rest of your brothers is in good health when this leaves us, and Thomas Milburn and all his family enjoys good health, and I think I can say no more about your friends. We have had a great storm in our country and some more of our neighbouring countries of snow, with snow and rian we have had very little fair weather since brough hill as it is a good while since that. And we would be vary glad to have a letter from you as soon as you can make it conveniant and let us know how you like your country and work and all that you can afford to tell us, I know not of any friend whoever honoured me with his company for whom | have greater regard than yourself, and the agreeable hours we have spent together cannot be equalled unless they are repeated. And please give my best regards to your mate Mr. Peart, and I can say no more at present. I Remain Your affectionate Brother Joshua Stobbs *Joshua Stobbs, unlike most of the other correspondents, used punctuation. All of the punctuation marks in his letter are his. ** William is probably Joshuas son.