File 1: Rowland Hassall papers, 1797-1810

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According to your advice I have not sent an order on Robt Compble Esq enclosed in this. and Mr Henry will inform you what I would wish to have done with the money, but if he should not arrive in the Colony, I leave it entirely to you to dispose of for me to the best advantage. Mr Henry has advised me to purchase a Mare, or a Cow, which he says would turn to some advantage for me should I go down to the Colony at any future  time. In my letter by Capt Compble I requested you to send me such articles as you might think usefull to the amount of what you might have in hand

Had the muskets you sent to Mr Henry been good ones I should have taken them, but they are of no use, those sold to the Natives by Mr Halford being so neat in their eyes that they would not esteem those you sent at all. But if you will be so kind as to send me 2 neat ones the first opportunity I shall esteem it a favour. About 6 good oval looking glasses would be serviceable about 5 inches diameter. Had I it in my power to make you any recompense I would gladly do it, and if there is any instance wherein I can serve you I will thank you to mention it your next. I remain Dear Friend.

yours truly

H Nott

To Mr Hassal Parramatta 

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[Note on back of letter on page 61]

Receivd 24th Feby 1810

H Nott

[Letter]

My dear Friend

Finding a Vessel is about to sail for New Holland, I embrace the opportunity of showing my respect and affection for you by sending you a line, convinced it will afford you pleasure to hear from me. I am thankfull to God for your preservation, not only in-existence, but also in the path of duty that many has hitherto directed your path, and provided for your comfort and support. May you have increasing pleasure & success in your work, and see the hand of our Covenant God in fixing you in your present situation. May Grace Mercy & Peace be with you and yours -

Thro' the goodness of God my dear wife & Self are still in the land of the living and I trust still following the Lord, tho' I have cause to lament my progress is but slow, and not proportioned to the privileges I enjoy. May the good Lord increase our humility zeal faith Hope, love and every grace.

What a variety of events have taken place in the circle of our acquaintance since the providence of God removed you from us. Many removed onto eternity, and others placed in different situations in this world. Your Brother Thomas' wife dead, and he married again to an old servant, who lived many years with [Mr Kinslaw?] & last with Mr [Busden] I suppose you know her a pleasant woman with what is called red hair, I trust will make him a valuable wife. Mr Harris late of Manchester too, and now of Liverpool has done something for them, and is disposed to be a very kind friend. The Lord raises up friends to those who commit their cause into his hands -

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I hope my dear friend you will still be kept humble, watchfull, and prayerfull. We live in a day of great outward profession, but I fear internal holiness is not earnestly coveted by many who wish to be thought followers of the  Lamb. We have awfull derlusions in some, and sad apostasy in others. Some of my young people have gone back into the world after several years appearing to run well. Amidst these discouragements I have cause for gratitude, and praise, others by grace are succeeding them, and upon the whole we go on well particularly among the Youth at Foleshill. Our Sunday School consisting of nearly 200 has been wonderfully blest. many have been called I trust out of by grace, and promise fair. May the blossom be preserved from blight, and bring forth fruit to perfection. West Orchard [1.6 miles from Foleshill] continues to flourish. Mr Busden is I trust increasingly usefull and is an ornumental pillar in the Temple of God

Your Father (Hancox) ages of course. He attends regularly the house of God.

My wife has at this time a bad cough and is much thinner than when you left Coventry. I have again removed from Foleshill to Coventry and for 2 years past been engaged with the late Alderman Colletts partner in the Leather Trade as Partner.  Mr [Matthews], [indecipherable], [indecipherable] & Mr Lamb. Whitehall, Newton, Ross, and wives are still living, Hewitt, Pool, Brown and most of the young ones so. More of the old members are removed I trust to Heaven

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My wife desires me to remember her very affectionately to you and your dear wife, in which I most cordially unite, praying that every new covenant blessing may attend you both, and your dear children. We should rejoice to have another interview with you both upon Earth if the Lord will, and if this should be denied, I trust we shall meet in a better world where parting is not known. And now my dear friends I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, earnestly entreating your prayers for us, assuring you that we do not forget you. Let me hear from you the first opportunity and believe me most Sincerely and Affectionately. Ever yours in our dear Lord

J Evans

Coventry 3 Feb 1803

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[On outside of letter]

Mr Rowland Hassel

By favour of Brother Crook & recd the 25th of Nov 1803.

[First page of letter]

London Sep. 12. 1803

My Dear Brother

Hearing that 2 ships are soon to sail for N Holland I embrace the opportunity of writing. I am sorry to find that you have lost your place, but trust your representation of it is just & that your character will not suffer by it. I have confidence in  you that you would do nothing you believe to be wrong, for it is of great consequence in your situation, as a religious man in the midst of rogues that you prove yourself a truly honest man & very accurate & conscientious in all your dealings. I shall be very glad to hear that you have recovered your place & hope you may, as by your letter to Coventry which I have seen, it appears that the Governor's Lady seemed to think your cause good.

You perhaps have heard that I have removed from Coventry & I doubt not will be grieved as well as all our dear old friends there. But I conceive that the situation I am called to here, as Secretary to the Missionary Society & Editor of the Magasine, will afford me far more extensive opportunities of usefulness. Indeed I could no longer endure Coventry, for the abominable, wicked vicious & cruel behaviour of the people in 2 late Elections made me greatly dislike my situation, & non religious people had no small share of blame in that affair.

I hope the Lord will provide for West Orchard, a student from Hoxton was with them & is to go

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again at Christmas, one Mr Jerrard who was taken in the Duff, & he is remarkably acceptable to all the people. The Congregations keeps up very well & the Church is very unanimous. So I hope all will be well.

My wife has a very ill state of health. I lost my eldest daughter Elisa 2 years ago. My oldest son Henry is studying for the ministry. My second son is apprenticed at Nottingham. My youngest son was ill for a  year but is mercifully recovered & I have 2 daughters at home with me. We are situated in a pleasant place at Islington & I have a good & serious congregation  at Fetter Lane in London, which is increasing.

I hope you will take every opportunity of writing that you can & shall be happy to hear that your endeavours to do good are blessed. If you want books &c let me know & direct to Mr Hardcastle's Old Swan Stairs, London Bridge

With love to your wife & family

I remain Yr affec brother

Geo Burder

Pray present my Xian[Christian] respects to the Rev. Mr Marsden could you get person to read the Village Sermons in different places. God has used them much in England.