File 2: Hassall family, correspondence, volume 1, pp. 691-1800, 1855-1874

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Littlebourne 7 March 1856

My dear Sir

I fear this will scarcely reach you before Sunday, but I hope you will not wait for an answer to your note but have the service at O Connell Plains as you propose.  Should you be able to  remain until after the following  Sunday we might have a chance of meeting. — I shall be absent from Tuesday to Friday (inclusive) next week — but on any other

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day I should be very glad if you would come and dine with us about two and we can offer you a bed.

I shall be very glad of your assistance in putting matters in train as regards raising subscriptions for erecting a Parsonage, and deciding the best means of carrying out the views of the parties interested. — The Bishop informed me of your fathers handsome gift towards

the endowment, and if I can be of any use in aiding so good a work it will give me great pleasure. Believe me very truly yours Henry Tingcombe

The Reverend  Jas. Hassall.

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Berrima May 17th 1856

My dearest James,

I am sure you must allow that I am very good for writing so often, if I hear from you tomorrow I shall think you good also. Perhaps you will say that I am not good for writing on Sunday. You will be sorry that

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we  have had a wet day, not withstanding there was a very good congregation, Mr Wilkinson led the Singing and only Mr Halls assisted him, they are all at Church now, it is still raining. Mr Wilkinson appears pleased with Halls and also with the Sunday School children.

I was so surprised to see Mr W on Piebald he gives him a very

bad character he would not go for him until about ten miles from this, he picked up a companion and then he ran away with him, he said he was afraid of his life, he was obliged to stop him against a fence.

How are you coming up are you going to wait for Mr Wilkinsons horse?

I shall be glad to get you home again. Did you see the Brays? I fancy you had dinner with them.

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today.

Now I must tell you how we are I am thankful to say that both Baby and myself are gaining strength daily. Oh how thankful I should be to my heavenly Father for all his goodness to me particularly in his late mercies, how many are cut off in their hour of trouble and how few of us are half thankful enough when we are spared and

[Crossed section:] restored to our usual health and strength May [God?] enable me to devote more of my time to his service and bring up our dearest little ones to his Holy [favor?]

I will now say good Night for they will soon be home from church I trust that I shall be soon able to go myself again. Give my kindest love to all I remain my dearest James your very affectionate wife F Hassall