Susan Turner letter to John Hatley Norton, 1768 March 27
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Putney March 27th 1768
You Judg'd extreamly right my
most Dearly beloved Hatley, in doing me
the Justice to believe a letter from you Coud
not fail of meeting with the kindest reception; to hear
from ones friend's, is Certainly next to the
pleasure of seeing them, especially those
who has so warm a Corner in my heart, as
you have. I am much Oblig'd to you for
expressing such a sensibility of my endeavour
to instill good Morals into your Mind, which
is the sure foundation for all worthy actions
to flow from; & I have great reason to
flatter myself, by your Conduct heatherto,
you will do honour to the opinion I allways
entertaind of you - I can readily believe
that riding Journeys in such a hot Country,
must be very fatiguing; but remember your
Father did so before you, & had many difficult
=ties to struggle with, which you, who have
the blessing to have so good a Father, will
not meet with, therefore will be sooner able
to accomplish your business, & return to a
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much Cooler Climate, to enjoy the fruits
of your own industry - I am happyer
then when I am enjoying the Company of your
dear Mother, we were good Neighbours last
Summer, & hope to be the same this; I only live
in dread, least now they are going to remove
into so good a House in London, they may
take it into their Heads to quit Putney; but
I am sure without Country Air, they neither
of them will enjoy health, & they Cannot have it at
a Cheaper rate, (now they shut up the House
all Winter) then they have it now, for Lodgings
is much more expenceive & not so Comfortable
I am heartily glad fanny is gone to School
She is a sweet Girl, & a little polishing will
make a fine Woman - poor Harry is living
sorrow, without a humane prospect of his
ever being better - Mr Turner has been
very dangerously Ill this Spring with a
Violent Lax, & attended by a Physician,
but is now thank God, got pretty well again,
& able to ride his little Pony; he desires to
join me in most affectionate Love, & in warm'st
wish's, that all your undertakings may be
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Crownd with Success
the Fludgers are settled in your dear Grand
Mothers Old Castle, which I do assure you looks
very Smart & Clean; they seem highly to
enjoy it; his Reverence Ammuses himself
in the Garden, which undergo's Continual
Changes; sometimes the Old gravel walk
is inlaid with little Green Shrubs, & wholy
obstructs the passage to a Certain House,
& the Grass:plats are planted Orchard
fashion, which to be sure is Convenient so
near the kitchen - but I suppose it will soon
be in another form, & I make no doubt but
he thinks his plans excell those of his old
Father Adam : your Aunt desired me to
give her kind Love with Mr Fludgers to
you, & begs you will accept of her sincere
thanks for your kind Letter, thro the
Channel of mine; as you well know her
Eyes is not in a State for writing -
all your Putney friends desire their Complits
& thanks for your kind rememberance of
them; I think there is no Alteration in the
place since you left it. I went myself &
deliver'd your Message to Mrs Walker
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set & Chatted an hour with her, Tom was
not at home, but She desird her Complits to
you, & said she woud do her endeavour to
persuade him to write to you; I said he
had more leasure hours, then you had Moments,
which Ought to be Considerd by an Old friend
& that I Cou'd not reasonably expect you to
write to me, Oftener then Once a year, as I am
sensible your time may be more advatagously
employ'd - Jack Turner is Father to a fine
Girl; it gives me great pleasure that your
Father Continues to take goods of him; it
pleases your Uncle Turner, & gives me
Credit in the family. I sing Hon Voly
Stephhenson to Jack Frere! he is not Married
yet, but fancy it will take place some time
in May. I have desir d your Mother to purchas
me a handsome Ring fit for a Gentleman to
wear, which I beg your Acceptance off, as
a small token of my friendship & regard
I have for you, & hope in due time to express
the same to your Face, which will give an
unspeakable pleasure to my Dear Hatleys
Most Affectionate Aunt
Su: Turner
Cover letter
Mr Turner joins me in Compliments
to Mr Smith - Mr Thruston - your
Uncle Walker, & all your friends
we have any knowledge of
Mr Marten of Windsor is dead
& his Mother inconsolable
Address leaf
To
Mr John Hatley Norton
York Town
Virginia
p the Brilliant
Capt. Robertson
Sepr. 1768
Answered p Capt Hubbard
Answered Sepr. 1768
p Capt Hubbard