Selected correspondence of Robert Spence
[This transcript is
a compilation of letters transcribed in Philip Spence's Robert
and Mary Spence of North Shields, two original letters from a small collection purchased by myself on eBay, and photocopies of original letters in the
possession of Peter Robson] Robert Spence to his wife Mary,
1823-05-06
|
London 5th Mo. 6th 1823. |
[ . . . ] I got my three
petitions properly tied up with pink tape [ . . . ] and then
first called on Sir Matthew White Ridley [names of local
M.Ps] with whom I had a very friendly interview—thence to
Beaumont's, who was from home—from there to Charles John
Brandling's, who was peculiarly kind and attentive to
me—Lambton I found from home, the two former both gave me
written orders to attend the House of Commons; I then went
to John H. Ley, Esq., the chief clerk of the House, gave him
my letter of introduction; when tired out I went to a Hotel
and got some cold beef and returned to the Lobby of the
House where I waited near two hours before the Speaker came
to take the chair when Ley ordered his officers to show me
to a seat and I got a most excellent berth—the forms are to
a person not used to them most ridiculous in appearance and
so much disorder and confusion I never saw in any
deliberative body. One half do nothing but talk all the time
the others are speaking—we were soon turned out on a
division about the fishery for oysters and an odd sort of
scramble ensued—on returning to the gallery I got a worse
place, but the proceedings soon lost their interest [ . . . ]
and except for the sparring of Brougham and the Attorney
General there was little worth hearing. |
Robert Spence to William Rowntree, 1827-05-05
|
North Shields
5th month 5th. 1827. |
Esteemed Friend
Wm. Rowntree
In consequence of a Letter from thy later employer Isaac
Stickney dated 4mo 28th. which was forwarded to
me in Scotland from whence I only returned this morning I am
inclined to engage thee as an assistant in my business in
lieu of Samuel Bleckly, to supply the sort of place he has
held in a general superintendence of the concern—as regards
salary I have no objection to fix the first year at £30 with
a prospect of encrease for the succeeding in case of its
being mutually desirable for the connection to continue at
the rate of 10£ a year—and from the sort of influence a
young man filling the post I have in view for thee, must
necessarily gain over my connections in business, I think it
is only reasonable to have an assurance from thee in writing
that thou wilt not commence business in North Shields or
immediate Vicinity, in making this proposition, I trust I am
not influenced by anything improper, as on a former occasion
several years ago, for want of this sort of understanding
after a youth we took into our employ had in a few months
gained a knowledge of our trade and connections he left us
and commenced within a few doors for himself—
We endeavor to make our young men comfortable & as far as
I know they are so;—they take it in turns to attend Weemday
meetings every other week & are set at liberty as much as is
practicable, to attend Monthly & Quarterly Meetings
also:—they have their cloathing at Invoice prices—as to
minor arrangements they may be left until we meet, provided
thou art disposed after this general outline to accept the
situation & I shall be glad to have a line to that purpose
from thee—I think about the end of the present, or early in
next month will be as convenient as any time for thee to
come to thy friend sincerely
Robert Spence
I have to-day recd other 4 applications that I
shall feel obliged by an early reply.— |
Robert Spence to William Rowntree, 1828-11-16
|
North Shields 16th
of 6th Month 1828 |
Wm Rowntree & Co to
Robert Spence & Co
Remt 36 yds
Carpet |
3/4 |
£———— |
do 20½ for 20 Tartan |
20 |
1:13:4 |
23 yds Norwich Crape |
15 |
1:8:9 |
3 ys Bombaziene |
2/6 |
—8:9 |
|
|
—1— |
|
|
£9:11:10 |
|
My dear friend, Only one
week has passed over since thou left us and yet that week has been
so interspersed with variety that it seems more like a month—after
parting with thee at South Shields the whole time at home and three
out of the five to bed which had certainly the appearance of greater
indolence than we are usually guilty of—after breakfast I again
crossed the Tyne to accompany my Coun. J.J. Walker to
Shortridge Glasshouse at the higher part of South Shields—and at abt
½ past eleven accompanied him to Newcastle returning late in the
evening on 4th day our Monthly Meeting was [. . . ]ously attended
especially by the junior classes—we had several very interesting
communications from Danl. Oliver—Margaret Bragg Isabella
Harris—George Richardson & Thomas Richardson, & Rachel Priestman in
supplication—when, owing to Isabella Harris rising exactly at the
same time, a little confusion took place but order was soon
restored, by the latter giving way;—I thought it a very interesting
meeting, & should have liked thee to have been present—we had little
business. Henry Fearon & Wm. Pattisons certificates were
recd. & thine ordered;—and as I am one of the preparers I
suppose I may say thou has left us clear of marriage engagement,
we had upwards of 20 youngsters to dine & only [ . . . ] children of
the elder[side?] Thy kind letter I received in course and, agreeably
to thy instructions, the Remt of Super [?] Carpet same
pattn. as the Comr. Eliz. Nicholson sold—the
Graham Tartan, Nor Crape &c &c are packed up and ready to be sent
off addressed to thy care at Scarbro'.—we also intend to sent the
Hogshead of Hats. I find including those bot of Elliot we
have exactly 6 dozn. They shall be packed as carefully as
we can manage—and I shall be perfectly satisfied with your decision
respecting them.—it is possible we might dribble them off but it
evidently appears the hatters here will retain that portion of their
trade & what we do sell will be of the finer kinds. On sixth day I
again went up to Newcastle abt. 7 o'Clock—having
some business to attend to, and abt. ½ past 8 had the
pleasure to welcome my dr. Mary & our young flock by the
[Phanix?] all well—after taking some Tea we came down home having
along with us Cousn. Thomas Hopkins & John Simpson—the
former retd to Newcastle on 7th day morning—& we expect
he will be here again soon—his object in visiting this part, in
addition to seeing his relations, at Newcastle, is to gain
information— Yesterday we had John Baynes
Thompson to tea & afterwards turned out 15 strong for a walk—it was
a beautiful evening—I delivered thy message to James respecting thy
intended publication on 7th day morning he, Cousn Thos
Hopkins & Mr Simpson walked to the Haven—and mounted on my friend
Grizzle I also repaired there, it was rather after thy time but
delightfully fine—& for the first time this season, I too embraced
the briney deep;—James in the fullness of his felicity clambered up
the side of a pleasure boat & rejoined the watery element with such
unmerciful vengeance that he actually forced blood out of his body a
little below the navel & will not I think again venture on such a
furious shock—it arose more from the position he went down in than
the distance he was from the water;—in consequence of thy wish to
have have his Brother, he had this morning written to Hawick & got
me to add to his Letter—which I had great pleasure in doing—but I
fear from his report it may be too late— Mary
Thistlethwaite & my daughter Rachel are going down along with Jas.
to Alnick & Warkworth—it is Mary's farewell visitation & Rachel has
never been there;—in about 10 days I suppose he will be paying you a
visit at Scarbro'.—where I understand he may probably find thee,
surrounded by the Dons that visit you at this glowing season,
decking themselves out with "a goderick," "a noble lord" or a "bit
of Blood"—your [cheire? cheine? cheese?] seems very likely to answer
I should think at least if it does not I know it will not be thy
fault.— We are jogging along in the old
way—with, I think, not one grain more animation in the town than for
some time past—our own family circle is of course more associated in
consequence of the addition it has received to is numbers—and I
should have liked thee to see my twelvefold portion assembled on 7th
day morning, & planted according to their ages in a row. it was a
very interesting sight and one on which I believe it is allowable
for father to dwell with feelings of pleasure—all healthy—all
well & all happy in such a tribe it is not often that so great a
blessing is enjoyed.—This morning an account has been received of
the death of Mary Wilson, sister of poor Mary Fearon, so far from
healthy that I fear without care she will not survive her many
years. I have not time to read this over before
post goes off and thou must therefore take it with all its horrors
errors blushing thick upon it, & believe me with gt
love Thy affectionate
friend Robert Spence Robert Spence to
William Rowntree, 1830-02-21
|
North Shields 2nd
month 21st 1830 |
My dear friend, On
referring to thy most acceptable & interesting letter of
last month I feel annoyed to find it has remained so long
unacknowledged. I could plead a variety of causes for this
delay but as I am addressing a friend who knows the way in
which my days are passed, & the great and almost endless
multiplicity of engagements that are pressing constantly
upon my attention, either of a private or a public kind he
will not be surprised at it, or require any lengthened
apology from me—
Soon after I wrote my last letter to thee along with my
dear Mary and Jas N Richardson of Lisburn I went
to Darlington to attend the Quarterly Meeting where I had
thought it possible that we might have met thee or some
other of our Yorkshire friends, but this year we had a much
smaller attendance of Yorkshire friends than usual—it was a
peaceful interesting and very agreeable quarterly Meeting—we
had my sister Clapham and Wm. Wilsons home along
with us—Jas N Richardson proceeding on his
journey.
—Since then we had a very interesting Monthly Meeting at
which George Richardson applied for a Certificate to visit
the Eastern part of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire & attend the
Quarterly Meeting at Leeds—Margaret Bragg for a Minute under
an apprehension of having some religious engagement in the
neighbourhood of Birmingham on her return from the ensuing
Yearly Meeting in London—[so?] he excited a very interesting
discussion respecting Danl. Oliver's proposed
visit to Scotland of last Summer—which he withdrew from
under discouragement, altho' the meeting urged him to
proceed & on account of two friends having expressed some
little hesitation she wished it to be considered as a burden
resting on the Meeting—this view was not fallen in with—and
as she had not been present when the subject was before the
Meeting & Danl. withdrew his application for a
Certificate, it was thought she had formed an incorrect
judgment in the case—We had also a very long discussion
respecting the notice of conduct in Certificates of removal,
where individuals who might have claimed the attention of
overseers for nonattendance of Meetings or other matters,
which they might not have concluded on calling the attention
of the Monthly Meeting to happen'd to remove—would it or
would it not be proper to pass over such case, without
notice—no decision was come to—some thought exposure would
be improper others that it could not be avoided.—When at
Newcastle we heard that Jonn & Hannah Backhouse
had applied for Certificates to visit America, which were
ordered & will be produced at our [??] at Gunderstone [?]
where we are informed Isaac & Hannah Braithwaite intend to
be—
On 2nd day last there was a very interesting
meeting at Morpeth of the freeholders of the Inhabitants of
the County relating to the present state of public distress
that prevails so universally—I went over along with John
Halsy, Hry Mitcalfe, John Dale & Henry Dale & was
much interested especially with Liddel who spoke I think
full an hour and a half—there were several other good
speeches but his eclipsed them all—a petition was
unanimously agreed to be signed by the high Sherriff on
behalf of the Meetg—I also called to see poor
Joseph Graham who has been sent to jail by an angry creditor
at Sheffield & will have to come out under the Insolvent
act—he got behind with selling Hats for Scott & then still
worse from breaking his leg—no blame or dishonesty seems to
rest on the case and I am trying to get a subscription to
buy his little Stock [????] for him—he has 7 young Children
and it is a pitiful case—I have written to several great
folks but I suppose they are used to these things for not
one of them as [sic] replied—I hope Miles will get me a few
pounds in London—
A H Lesslie is giving up his business—& John Murray &
James Beattie we hear are going to take it—Hannah Procter
has been ill of the small pox, but is better—all the rest of
our friends here well—we have had an unusually severe winter
so far & the cold has been so great that it has been a
difficulty to keep yourselves in moderate warmth, by either
clothing or exercise—there have been many wrecks during the
winter and more vessels have foundered than in any winter
for many years past—the Loyal Standard Association is
becoming a most useful benevolent Society for the poor
families of those that suffer—
[nearly three pages more are illegible, due to
overwriting at 90o across the text being too
faint in the photocopy from which this is transcribed]
They affectionate fd.
Robert Spence |
Robert Spence to William Rowntree, 1830-05-02
|
North Shields 2nd of
5th Mo 1830 |
My dear friend It is
high time to acknowledge my obligation to thee for thy kind
letter and its enclosures—for all, of each of which I am
obliged to thee—if ever thou comes in contact with a frank
of the speakers, I should be glad to possess it, as the date
of post office stamp establish the identity of the
document.—It is now most likely that I may have the
privelege of attending our approaching Yearly Meeting—as it
is nearly fixed for a deputation to the Treasury consisting
of John Finley, Alexr Crighton—Henry Mitcalfe &
myself accompanied by Wm. Clark Esqr.
of Benton & Hugh Taylor of Earsdon to be in London on or
before the 14th Inst. in order to
obtain a grant of an Independent Custom House for this
place,—the Newcastle people or rather a portion of them
having property near and on the Quay side oppose our
wishes—and are sending a deputation with that view—Various
memorials have been presented to the treasury on the subject
from both Norh and So Shields—and also—from
Whitby—Dundee The Dean of Chapter of Durham &c &c—of
the general merits of our case we consider such as that
aided by the interest of the Duke of Northumberland we think
we stand on strong ground—as our wish is not to deprive
Newcastle of any thing it enjoys but simply to have the same
facilities for these two towns to which above ¾ths
of the shipping of the port belong—and this seems the more
needful now that at least an equal portion of the coals are
actually shipped either at Shields or within two Miles of
it—14 years ago your ancient Town joined us in a memorial
for what we now seek to possess—and considering that many of
your Ship owners, and Masters of Ships frequenting the port,
would be greatly benefited by having the power of entering
their Ships & leaving them at Shields I wonder therefore
that they do not at once follow the example of their
neighbours at Whitby, who have to a Man joined heartily in
support of our cause—I am afraid they do not see the thing
correctly or else they would never hesitate, and altho' it
may not be needfull yet every additional help strengthens
the hands of those who have to advocate the cause however
good that cause may be—John Finley had written to the Secy.
of the Shipping Inst. at Scarbro' but hither to
they have declined taking the matter up—I know this does not
accord with the views of all, & it is a pity but those who
are willing to have all the facilities that Trade ought to
enjoy in its present depressed state, would join in a
memorial in our favor.—I have given thee plenty on this
subject thou wilt think—it is just now one of the uppermost
that must be my apology.—Our Steam Ferry is progressing very
satisfactorily & will ere long open out a new line of Coast
road—
I hope thou intends to indulge us with a sight of thee
this summer—now do not let thinking about it serve thee but
try to realize thy intentions & pay us a visit—Shall I be
likely to meet thee in London?—If I had simply consulted my
own inclination I should have been there now—& then i might
have got to the annual Meeting of the Bible Society which
next to our own I think is the greatest treat a friend can
partake of amidst the profusion of good things with which
the great City abounds—
The poor King I fear is in very dangerous case—I should
lament his removal—he has been so peaceably disposed that i
fear we may not get a better.—
All our flock are well & unite me in dear love—believe me
my dr friend
Truly thine
Robert Spence |
Robert Spence to William Rowntree, 1830-09-27
|
North Shields 27th
of 9th mo 1830 |
My dear friend, My
transient visit to Scarborough left those sort of
impressions that were calculated to excite a way to visit
it, and as it is very uncertain when the opportunity for
doing so may again present itself I feel disposed to talk to
thee in this way in the mean time, and as my palaver may not
possess much of merit or of interest I avail myself of a
cheap mode of transmitting it to thee that thy
disappointment may be less when its meagre aspect is
exhibited—
I take it for granted that I am really in thy debt in
this way, because I think I have not written since my return
home, altho' it is possible I may, as I do not keep a Dr
& Cr acct of these matters, & my
memory is a treacherous one—if therefore I repeat a twice
told tale thou must accept this as my apology—
My ride from Scarborough to Whitby was really a grand
one—the sun rising in all its splendour from the ocean—&
gilding the venerable piles of the old Castle made me fancy
it still more beautiful & the situation more commanding and
attractive than I did before at Whitby I had just time to
swallow a hasty breakfast & speak to Jos. Sanders who came
to see two of his neices off by the Coach to Stockton where
we arrived in safety & from thence I secured an inside
berth—which from the wetness of the evening proved a great
comfort. I had Fanny Holmes from Ackworth—Elizh
Yarrow & Hannah Brady & her baby as companions to Shields
from Stockton—it was rather an odd junction—the first having
come from Scarbro the 2nd from Harrogate & the
others from Middleton all friends & from three watering
places—the Steam Boat Company arrived nearly as soon as I
did at the Tyne but from Esthers report I should have had a
sickly passage of it, if I had joined them that I did not
regret my determination to keep to terra firma—
Our "bishop of Durham" as he has been designated [Revd.
?] Salter, has been splicing himself to Sarah George by a
priest at Durham—it seems an odd connection for a person to
form at his time of life—a testimony of disownment has been
ordered against him, & as he had all the full advantages of
counsel, & experience, it seemed the only correct course—We
have however another case where two first Cousns
had gone to a priest to be married—before their attachment
was known of, & as they have evinced considerable regret (I
had almost said penitence) at the step they had taken we
have decided, "That they shall not be allow to sit Meetings
for discipline, that their Collections shall not be
received, nor they relieved after the manner of poor
friends, until they are restored to full unity with their
friends" what Dost thou say to this state of suspending??
are we on tenable ground? or is it fraught with danger?—
Our daughter Mary has improved very much by her trip to a
residence at Harrogate—and during the 5 weeks she was absent
gained twelve pounds in weight—this is laying it on very
briskly & proves the change had suited her well.—We have had
regularly intermitting weather for some weeks past.—very far
from favorable to the Harvest, & the chilly feeling of the
latter part of Autumn is now daily to encounter—it is well
that this district is not of much importance as respects the
growth of culture of grain or I fear the lateness of our
season would be severely felt—
What a Melancholy termination to poor Huskissons earthly
career—few events could
have occurred of a more strikingly mournful character—or
more likely to make a very strong impression upon the mass
of the population than this was—his character in private
life seems to have been most amicable—and his talents for
usefulness much beyond the possession of post of those by
whom he was surrounded—there seems something in [sensitable?]
in the event & it is therefore the bounden duty of [survors?]
to endeavor to profit by this lesson of the great
uncertainty of all our pleasures here—
Dost thou know that John Wilkinson is expected at our
Quarterly Meeting—he has more than the [4 or 5 illegible
words]—as is a very interesting man—I felt much obliged by
thy kind attention in sending me a Scarbro paper with the
truly spirited & interesting proceedings of thy fellow
townsmen—
The Avarice of the priesthood seems likely to accelerate
the degradation of the Church Establishment, & if they do
not mend it will [...inate?] in her downfall.
With the kind regard of all my flock to thy self My love
to J & D Stickney & thyself also believe me,
Thy affectionate friend
Robert Spence |
Robert Spence to William Rowntree, 1830-12-30
|
North Shields 30th
of 12th Month 1830 |
My dear friend, The
year is so near its close that unless I am industrious the
new one will overtake me deeply in debt, and as I would
gladly lessen the amount of my incumbrances before the
present one has fled I have taken up my pen to hold a little
social converse with thee, in the first place telling thee
that the sight of they hand writing gratified me no
little—for tardy as I am in my correspondence there is
no-one more highly values the kind attentions of his friends
or to whom it affords more substantial pleasure to feel that
he holds the same place as ever in their interest, &
affection, for after all many boasted independence, he is
amongst the most dependent of beings—his comforts—his
pleasures—his enjoyments in all their range, at least where
rationality exists, most strikingly prove the truth of this
position—that he is dependent upon others for nearly all the
social enjoyments of life—and few things have contributed
more to mine, than the pleasures I have derived from the
correspondence of my friends—I am well aware we are not
always in time for either writing or reading letters—but
this only proves that imperfection hovers around us, and
such will, & must be the case in this state of being—frailty
and uncertainty are the imperishable inscriptions borne by
all sublunary things—
Yesterday at Newcastle I heard of the sudden death of
Joseph Gurney of Norwich, the Uncle of my partner Willm.
Chapman—he had not been seriously ill—a little cold & cough
but nothing to excite alarm—& had just spoken chearfully to
his wife when he sunk down on the floor of his study about
10 oClock on 7th day last &
immediately expired—it will be keenly felt by dr.
Hannah Backhouse who had parted with him on leaving England
with string impressions that she should never meet him
more—his remains are to be interred on 1st day
next—but probably all this may have reached thee before—
It is now very near the last day of 1830! how rapidly
time wings its course, & brings us nearer to the final
goal:—and what a train of solemn reflections crowd upon the
mind when we turn our thoughts to the past & review the
scenes for ever fled—whilst as regards the future it is all
darkness & uncertainty—happily for our comfort the linaments
arehid from our observation—& we have no other resource left
but in faith & hope which chear our course and light our
path in proportion as we cling unto them—farewell for the
present it is midnight—1st of 1st
month 1831
The year that was, exists no longer—a newer has arrived
and altho' the first hour is not yet g[one] its claims to
attention, & recognition are no longer doubtful—and the
earnest desire of my heart is that the diligence of the
future may in some measure make up the leeway of the
past—what is gone cannot be recalled, the present only being
ours—may we then my dear friend properly appreciate the
blessings we enjoy, & endeavor with more & more ardour
to pursue those things that belong to our everlasting peace
My beloved Mary has recovered from her confinement
remarkably well, & our little Emma seems a blooming hopeful
blossom—the rest of our flock are all well & with dear love
I wish thee, & believe me sincerely & affectionately Thy
friend
Robert Spence
My dr. love to Isaac & Dory
Stickney |
Robert Spence to William Rowntree, 1832-10-12
|
North Shields
12th of 10th Month 1832 |
My dear friend The
birth of an 18th child does not seem the most
fitting subject upon which to commence an epistle to a
Bachelor, and yet it is so natural for us to give expression
to those things that are uppermost that my apology if
apology is needful must be the pleasure that I feel in
having my beloved MS safe in bed with the prospect of both
she and our 14th daughter doing well—My dr.
Mary had been in very delicate health for 8 or 10 weeks
arising partly from a severe cold taken whilst paying visit
to Margaret Bragg at Tynemouth, and a very troublesome cough
had harrassed her exceedingly until about 10 days ago, when
it left her, and on 4th day morning at 7 oClock
she presented me with a very bonny blooming daughter which
is yet nameless—we have now 10 all at home & in excellent
health, and this together with the chearing prospect of my
better halfs restoration to usual health is indeed cause for
great gratitude & I think thou will rejoice with me—Robert
is also at home in the shop and I hope likely to become
useful in relieving his father before many years pass over
from a part of those cares which a family large or small
necessarily has attached to it;—indeed from all I can see or
hear I do not think that bachelors escape with fewer than
other men—& I am confident they do not possess so many
comforts & privileges—do not think me impertinent for I am
only giving expression to the conviction of my own mind;—4th
day was rather an eventful one, it was our Monthly Meeting
here, and in consequence of a recommendation of the case of
our sister Sarah Foster from the select Monthly & Quarterly
Meeting she was, at a joint conference of men & women
friends recorded as a Minister, to I believe the general
satisfaction of her friends—her appearances having of late
become much more frequent, and I believe generally
approved—she is attending on my beloved MS—and it seems her
peculiar provence to tender herself useful, whereever
sickness & distress or poverty & wretchedness prevail—I
trust therefore it may tend to her own encouragement &
benefit knowing she has the sanction of her friends in her
still more public duties—
I had intended to tell thee my opinion on friends
becoming legislators &c &c &c but my time is up & I can only
add that with our united dear love I am
Thy affectionate friend
Robert Spence
My dr love to I. & D Stickney—
[PS] accept my grateful acknowledgment for thy kind &
interesting letter & present which I admire much & feel
interested in as likely to add to the convenience & beauty
of your delightful town |
Robert Spence to William Rowntree, 1831-12-31
|
North Shields
12th mo 31st 1832 |
My dear friend
Desirous before the few fleeting
minutes of the present year are forever fled to acknowledge
the receipt of they very kind letter by Elliott Crosson who
was a total stranger to me as well as his cause, &
respecting whom prejudice had indeed made strong impressions
in many quarters where it will be no easy matter to remove
it—the little I had heard had previously tended this way,
but I am glad to say that a more full consideration of the
subject, and a better acquaintance with him, have tended to
dispel a great part of it—the object seems to me one in
which every benevolent man may safely unite, if it be only
for the sake of injured Africa—I regret however that
he made but little out either at Shields or Newcastle—at
Sunderland they gave him a cordial welcome, & cheared him on
his course—& he was much delighted with the good friends of
that place—he is now I expect in Scotland but I have not
heard any thing of his success since he went North;—I felt
quite obliged for the kind introduction of him and his
subject which thou sent me—at the time it arrived I was
under great anxiety respecting my dear better half, who had
been for some time seriously ill—& was then at Benwell on
account of her health—she is now I am thankful to say much
better, and I hope will continue so—the infant (Lucy Fisher)
who has also been ill, is again well, & all our numerous
tribe, I am thankful to tell thee are in good health—it is
now midnight—another year is numbered with the past—and I am
now entering for the first time on 1833 and most
ardently do I crave that the future may be more wisely
directed than the past—for it is alas I feel, & know, there
is much to lament—well my dear friend, the prize is still
before us, & we must endeavor to press after it—for this
night farewell—1st mo 1st 1833—
2nd of 1st month
1833—I had not opportunity to resume this letter
yesterday—our Quarterly Meeting was at Sunderland, & along
with 3 of my daughters, I attended it, left them behind me &
returned home at night—we had Chas. Osborne with
us who ministered to us at great length, and barring manner,
very acceptably, but my English ears are not sufficiently in
love with American song, to like the manner of it—more
especially when John Pease is present who in the
first meeting was silent, in the second he gave us some
beautiful, deeply instructive, & excellent counsel
concluding by a caution to friends against attending large
public Dinners which he thinks it impossible for them to mix
in, without some degree of contamination & subsequent injury
to the spiritual life—his Brother Joseph the newly
elect MP was our assistant Clerk, and conducted himself most
agreeably—we had a very interesting testimonial read
respecting Isabella Harris—rather long, but containing much
instructive information, & considering the very prominent
station she had filled in society I do not know that it can
be found fault with—today the Monthly Meeting also at
Sunderland—where Jane Procter & John Richardson of Langburgh
and William Backhouse Junr. to one of the Fryers
of Raistrick are to present their Marriages—Rachel, & Robert
along with Wm Pattison are gone to join the three
already there so that my family will be well represented,
altho neither my wife or I are there.—John Richardson will
get a nice wife,—& what is still better a very good one—she
has long filled a most useful and prominent part in all our
public benevolent schemes in which females unite, & will be
much missed—
The tories in this county have shewn
their strength in a way that must be very annoying to Earl
Grey & his colleagues—one of their numbers being returned
for each division, & one of those (Mattw Bell) a
most violent & sturdy opponent of the reform bill—this is
too bad—& I cannot but think we are disgraced by the result
of the contest however I have made up my mind to keep myself
quiet & endeavor to move along as peaceably as I can in the
station in which it has pleased providence to place me &
leave politicians to settle these things as they like—with dr
love to I & D Stickney & to thyself believe me
Thy sincere
frd Robert Spence |
Robert Spence to Mary, 1834-01-03
My beloved M.S. |
North Shields, 3rd of 1st Mo.
1834. |
Once more thou must be
willing to submit to receive the daily lucubrations of thy
loquacious husband not because he has aught of interest that
might seem to call his pen into action, but having now, for
almost half the measure of the days that have been his
portion, been in the habit of talking to thee by the way as
he has walked, he feels unwilling to deprive himself of the
pleasure it has never failed to afford. A constant
interchange of thoughts with those we love is one of the
prime privileges of mortals and thou wilt give me credit for
being disposed at any rate to do my part. [ . . . ] |
Robert Spence to Mary, 1839-03-05
My beloved Mary |
North Shields 3rd Mo. 5th 1839. |
Amidst the tossings and
turmoils of this troublesome world, what a consolation it is
to turn the attention to those we dearly love, although when
severed by absence from each other, the only means left is
the one I am now pursuing for the interchange of some of
those every day thoughts that present themselves—and which
form so permanent a feature in the sum of comfort, and of
misery with which our pilgrimage below is encircled. [ . . .
] |
Robert Spence to his nephew Robert Foster, 1842-05-15
|
5/15 1842 |
My dear Nephew, Mary
informs me there is room for a note along with her envelope,
and although I have nothing to say worth the trouble of
perusing yet I am disposed to avail myself of her offer in
order to tell thee that we have been much interested with
the accounts thou has so kindly sent us of thy
perigrinations so far—thou has elevated our notions of the
beauties of the district we are planted in by informing us
that a certain view of the Orwell is compared to the lake of
Geneva—and, that when the tide is out it strongly resembles
Jarrow slake—but perhaps thou means Jarrow Slake in a fog—a
mantle in which it has very often been enveloped of late—The
day you left us turned out so stormy that I blamed myself
very much for not despatching you by rail instead of letting
you go by sea—however as "all is well that ends well" I
suppose it was all for the best you kept to your original
plan—I almost envied thee thy ride from Yarmouth to Ipswich
thy account of its beauties was so interesting—
It would be an unlooked for pleasure to meet my Bros
& Sister Gilpin in London Sarah will I think be much
astonished with the great city & its scenes of confusion &
splendour—
We jog on very quietly—I have little new amongst us—Emanl
Walmslys creditors have 7/6 in the £ offered by his
friends—and John Fenwick tells me they do not expect his
effects will ever realise that sum—
Roberts house gets on very well, the large furniture is
mostly in, & this week a good many additions will be made to
it—they are kept actively employed in preparing it—We had
3/5 averages home in one day—but other bills are small & few
in number—My dr M the twins & all the rest join
me in dear love to thee & all our Kindred Thy affectte
Uncle RS.—
I have got a wretched pen that will hardly scratch—Jos.
has not come this eveg. we had him this day last
week quite well—Tomorrow Jos & Sarah Watson & their Children
all come for a week
Wm Brown, John Mizell & Jno Dixon are Guilford
assignees |
Robert Spence to Robert
Foster, 1842-05-24
My dear Nephew, |
5th Mo. 24 1842. |
Many thanks for thy kind
and interesting letter—and as London is a large place
containing for anything I know many James and Sarah Gilpins
(descendants of the redoubtable John, of course, I address a
letter to my rambling brother and sister from Newcastle to
thy care as more likely to reach its destination than thro'
the General Post Office—it seems they have commenced their
migratory system again & their last destination was
Stamford Hill; it is not unlikely when this reaches thee
their abode may be somewhere about the top of St.
Pauls, Westminster Abbey, or some of those other objects of
attraction with which the marvellous city abounds—perhaps I
am going too fast, the Conclave at Houndsditch will not have
finished their deliberations, in which case I suppose, one
or the other will be met with there— Yesterday my wife—the twins, Emma, Lucy, Sarah and three of her children went
by the Railway to Willington to Tea. I joined them at 5
o'clock and Joseph met us from Newcastle—we had a pleasant
visit, no noises to disturb us, or the matter ever
named except by Jos. Procter to Jos Watson
privately—who took him up stairs to tell him that Dr. Clancey
is about to publish Drury's case in Richardson's
Table Book—What a piece of folly— Thy Brother Joseph was
here on 1st day night quite well—to-day I hear
Emanl Taylor has had an attack of paralysis at
Shotley Bridge, his mouth much drawn on one side & has the
use of some of his limbs gone— Poor Robert Nicholson Elizhs
son we are told to night as at the point of death, from
Typhus fever she has come down from the Trinity House, Mile
end road—how well it was she got placed there, or else she
would have been quite destitute—how uncertain is life & all
its pleasure & enjoyments—poor fellow married but a few
months, with a prospect of having a fine Vessel placed under
his command & every prospect of success before him—his poor
Mother proved for & a fair chance of happiness for himself &
wife & all blighted at once—My dr love to all my
dr friends & relations in which all join me They
affectte Uncle R Spence |
Robert Spence to Mary, date not given
Elizabeth Procter is ill of a severe
quinsey & during all this very wet weather the greater art
of the roof of their house at Willington has been off. The
ghost must surely have been fairly driven out. |
Robert Spence to Mary, date not given [after 1836]
[ . . . ] Emma who has got the mumps
slightly, is with our grandson Willy comparatively well.
They have not been to school to-day, nor has it been
suitable for them to go to Tynemouth, it has been so
showery, but they have had the company of their Cousins
Mary, Elizabeth and Ann Clapham. [ . . . ] |
Robert Spence to Mary, date not given
[ . . . ] the Scotch friends hope for
some change in the system. We had a long battle about the
matter, and both left as we began—thou knows the difficulty
of moving a Richardson, and it was evidenced in perfection.
[ . . . ] |
Robert Spence to his son John, date not given
[ . . . ] We were much pleased with
thy good report of thy journey to London [ . . . ] but
really, young man, twice to the theatre and once to an
oratorio, all in one week—looks like taking hasty steps to
come under the lath of the law [Quaker discipline] and I
cannot help thinking thou would have been as well employed,
in resting after thy day's toil and they previous night's
travel, and by that means have been in good case to meet thy
friends at Reed's on 7th day, as by resorting to a place of
diversion or amusement to kill time, although possibly it
might be designated 'sacred' in order to catch those who
might startle aside, if that were not made use of. Perhaps
my dear son though mayst think I stumble at trifles perhaps
it may be so. [ . . . ] |
Mary Spence to her son John, date not given
[ . . . ] [Robert is] ready to doubt
the propriety of so very distant a separation on the sole
ground of pleasure[ . . . ] thy dear father has had a severe
attack of his usual autumn complaint which makes him see
things through rather a dark medium and he got quite anxious
about you, perhaps more about your minds than your bodies,
which, I trust, may not have suffered harm. [ . . . ] |
Robert Spence to [probably ]Mary, dates not given, re Yearly
Meetings
[ . . . ] Jos. John Gurney said he
thought it would be more honourable at once to pay the money
than by any sort of collusion appear to be trampling on our
testimony—laying out silver spoons, etc., etc., was
animadverted upon freely and fully and considered a species
of collusion. [ . . . ] [ . . . the meeting debated]
whether a person buying an estate by which he became
entitled to receive tithes would be considered a delinquent
provided he did not receive them. [ . . . ]
[ . . . ] Jacob or Thomas Green from Ireland sang most
melodiously his view on this important query, the 1st. [ . .
. ] |
Robert Spence to his family—letter attached to his will,
1845-08-06
Perhaps some of my dear children may
feel a little disappointed that my provision for them is not
greater; if this should be the case, tell them that their
father coveted not riches, which are often a snare and
source of much evil—but that he wished earnestly to obtain
and to deserve the character of a man of integrity and
uprightness, endeavouring to live without offence toward God
and toward man [ . . . ] My large family, although attended
with many anxious cares, have also been a source of
inexpressible comfort, and the heritage with which the Lord
has been pleased to bless my beloved Mary and me has been a
goodly one, and fondly and earnestly do I desire that their
children and children's children may be as great a comfort
to them as ours have been to us. As regards my beloved son
Robert, who has long been my faithful and anxious helper in
the Bank, I trust that my dear friend William Chapman will,
both in consideration of his own merits of qualification for
the post do what he can for my sake to obtain for him the
appointment as my successor in the office I have held, the
Directors could not confide the interests of the Union
Banking Company here to better hands or where they will be
more faithfully attended to. I consider him invaluable in
the post he fills. My sons, John Foster Spence and Joseph
Spence, will now divide the results of the business of
Robert Spence & Co. between them, if such arrangements have
not already taken place, and I trust that true harmony and
fellowship my continue betwixt them that has hitherto been
the bond of union throughout the late firm. I have full
confidence that their love and affection for their dear
Mother and sisters will induce my beloved sons to do
everything in their power to promote their interest, their
welfare, and their happiness.
And now my beloved wife, three sons, and all my other
dear Children, that we all may be permitted to meet a family
in Heaven is the earnest prayer of your tenderly attached.
ROBERT SPENCE.
North Shields,
8th mo. 6th, 1845. |
|