Susan Turner letter to John Hatley Norton, 1768 March 27

Susan Turner letter to John Hatley Norton, 1768 March 27

An affectionate letter to John Hatley Norton from his aunt, Susan Turner, in England. Turner writes about Norton's friends and family in England. She informs Norton that his parents are leaving Putney for London; John Frere will be married shortly; Fanny has gone to school for polishing; the Fludgers have settled in his grandmother's house and are tending the grounds and she is sending him a ring as a token of her affection.

MS 1936.3.73
Folder 7

Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Ink on paper

Page 1

Putney March 27^th 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

Page 2

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 - M^r 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

Page 3

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 M^r 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 Compli^ts
& 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 M^rs Walker

Page 4

set & Chatted an hour with her, Tom was
not at home, but She desird her Compli^ts 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

M^r Turner joins me in Compliments
to M^r Smith - M^r Thruston - your
Uncle Walker, & all your friends
we have any knowledge of
M^r Marten of Windsor is dead
& his Mother inconsolable

Address leaf

To
M^r John Hatley Norton
York Town
Virginia
p the Brilliant
Cap^t. Robertson

Sepr. 1768
Answered p Cap^t Hubbard

Answered Sep^r. 1768
p Cap^t Hubbard