Graham Letter - Isabella Stobbs - 1887

Durham Record Office Ref: D/X 1035/26 The Poplars Frosterly Dec 18/87 Dear Uncle Aunt and Cousins I hardly know how to begin to write to you but as my cousin said in her last letter to Uncle Nichol Peadon that her father wanted to know particularly how Mother was and where she is I thought it my duty to write but I have got put off intending to write every week for six or 7 months but is seemed rather a dificult task being that I never knew my Uncle Joseph Graham nor ever had a letter from any of you but I do hope this wile (will) find you better in health than it leaves us for I am very sorry to say Mother is very weak and feeble now. She has gone through a lot of affliction and now she cannot do anything for herself neither put her clothes of(f) nor on herself but you see she is a great age 75 come January so that it is a wonder almost we have her with us yet though I think the longer it is and the harder it wile be to give her up though she said to me the other night it couldn¿t be for long now she thought she would soon have to leave us now My brother is stile with Mother he has never married so it has been better for Mother that neither he nor I have for I think I wile have to come to America to seek a husband as I here they are plenifull there I am in a situation that I have been in for sixtyeen years so I havent changed often my sister Hannahs daughter is with Mother. Hannah died when she was born and Mother took the baby home and brought (her)up father was living then too. She is 25 years old now so that she can do nicly for Mother and brother without me being at home for I can do better for them in some respects as it is as there has been very bad work here for men for a long time very little money to be made. Mother came to live here about six years ago it was a great trial to her to leave the old Place at greenfield Uncle will remember it I darsay. I have 3 more sisters living beside myself I am the youngest in I was elevenweeks old when Uncle went away so you will have an idea how old I am William is younger than me but stile we are both getting on in years. Bessie my oldest sister says she membes you quite well she is living here also. She has her second husbanad. She has four children by her first ale (all) grown up. Her eldest son is married and has 3 little daughters so the 2 eldest are twins. They are not 2 year old yet. The other is 4 months. Joshua the second son is in a good situation in the Civil service. He is in Wolverhampton at present. That is right in the centre of England. One daughter is at home with them as they have a small farm and the other is in service. Jane has 3 sons 2 going to school and a baby. She also has a second husband. Margaret has four boys all giong to school. She lost her little girl about 3 months ago with the measles. She lives at a place called Shildon about 16 miles from here. Jane lives at Hedden on the Wale a little Colierly place on the borders of Scotland about 40 miles from here. Both their husbands work in the coal pit. I think I have told you ale I can now conterning us so I hope you wile write back to me very soon I enclose some Christmas Cards hoping you wile all have a happy Xmas and new year. We would like very much to have your liknesses so I wile conclude at this time with kind love to you ale believe me your affectate neice and Cousin Isabella Stobbs PS Mother oftens says she would like so much to see Uncle once more. If it could be we would ale gladly welcome any of you if only you would pay us a visit My adress is Isabella Stobbs Mrs Walton The Poplars Frosterley Durham England