Jonathan Hardcastle formed a very strong attachment to my half Brother and sister, and previous to his decease left to each of them a considerable estate, to John the family residence which I believe had been a grant from the crown for some particular services perform'd, together with the estate attached to it [ . . . ]

To Grocers, Druggists, and Tallow-Chandlers.

To be SOLD by Auction,

(By WATSON & MARSHALL)

At the George Inn, in Yarm, in the county of York, on Thursday the 27th day of September, 1821, at 8 o'clock in the afternoon

(By order of the Trustees for sale of the estate and effects of John Spence, of Yarm aforesaid, grocer, druggist, and tallow-chandler, for the benefit of his creditors,)

IN TWO LOTS,

Lot 1. A Spacious and well-accustomed GROCER's and DRUGGIST's SHOP, lately occupied by the said John Spence, most advantageously situate near the Market-Place, in Yarm aforesaid, with counting-house and extensive warehouses, immediately adjoining, and a large and commodious MESSUAGE or DWELLING-HOUSE, comprising a dining-room and drawing-room, each 21 feet by 16 feet, and 11 feet high, with bow windows, and six lodging rooms, large kitchen, back kitchen, and wash-house, with servants' lodging rooms over the same, and other requisite attached and detached offices, with a PEW in the parish church of Yarm aforesaid. And also all those capital premises situate in the yard behind the said messuage or dwelling-house, and lately used by the said John Spence, as a candle manufactory; and a productive garden, containing nearly half an acre of ground, inclosed with a brick wall, well stocked with choice wall and other fruit trees, and extending to the Back Street of Yarm aforesaid, with a summer house and dovecot, and a stable for three horses at the west end thereof.

Lot 2. A neat and convenient MESSUAGE or DWELLING-HOUSE, situate on the east side of the town of Yarm aforesaid, with kitchen and other suitable offices attached, and a yard and garden behind the same, now in the occupation of Mrs Jane Taylor, with a PEW in the parish church of Yarm aforesaid, to the same premises appertaining.

The above premises are freehold, and all in complete repair; and Lot 1 is particularly well adapted for carrying on a very extensive business, or might easily be converted into a capital residence for a large and genteel family, having formerly been used as such; and the purchaser thereof will be let into immediate possession, and may be accommodated with the counters, cases, shelves, &c. in the shop, and also with the furnaces, coolers, and other utensils in the candlery at a fair value, to be ascertained by arbitrators.

Further particulars, with the tickets to view the premises, may be had of Mr Thomas Stanwix, of Stockton upon Tees, Mr Richard Miles, of Yarm, and at Mr Garbutt's office there.

SPENCE'S FINAL DIVIDEND.—A SECOND & FINAL DIVIDEND of the Estate and Effects of JOHN SPENCE, of Yarm, in the County of York, Grocer, Druggist, & Tallow Chandler, may be received at the Counting-Houses of MR RICHARD MILES, in Yarm aforesaid, or MR. THOMAS STANWIX, at Stockton, in the County of Durham, the Trustees.

   YARM, March 14, 1825

Richard Jones, stealing a watch at Yarm, the property of John Spence; to be imprisoned and kept at hard labour for two months.

York 7 Month. 15th 1807.

   Thinking that my dear Brother would be pleased with a few lines, to inform him that I am well, of which favour I hope he is a partaker. I had the pleasure of receiving thy very kind and acceptable letter last week, and was glad to hear that thou wast well; thou mentionedst in thy letter something respecting thy having some shirts, which thou wishedst me to make; if thou wilt be kind enough to send me them, I will endeavour to make them in play Hours. I have begun to work a Map of England which is my employment in the sewing school, it is very pleasant Work. I am very sorry that thou was disappointed in thy intended Journey to York at the Quarterly Meeting, but I hope thou will not let any event prevent thee from coming to the ninth month Quarterly Meeting, for it will be a great pleasure to me to see thee. Thou mentionedst thy intended journey into Cumberland; I hope thou wilt have advantage from it. It may be a means of preserving thy health. Please to send me some muslin for Caps, also a pair of White silk Gloves when thou sendst the shirts for thou canst get them better than me, they must be a woman's size. Please when thou writest to brother Thomas, wish him to write to me for I am ready to conclude that I am almost forgotten by him, yet I should hope that was not the case, for it is quite the reverse with me. I have not had a letter from him since I came here, nor a considerable time before, and I am very desireous to hear from him. Thou must not expect a long letter this time for it is not long since I wrote to thee. I hope thou wilt favour me with a letter as soon as convenience will permit, for it affords me much pleasure to hear from any of my dear Relations and Friends.

   I conclude with dear love

from thy Affectionate Sister

Rachel Spence.

I went to Cousin Rachel Spence's marriage at Shields. I went without an exact invitation, but should have had one, but Cousin Robert did not get to see me the day before. They were very glad to see me and I met with Cousins John Spence of Yarm and Hannah and Jane his daughters, whom I had never seen before. They are two very nice young women. Cousin Rachel was married to Thomas Hagen, Grocer, near Staines, Middlesex. We had a very pleasant day and everything very comfortable. There was 39 to dine, 48 to tea and near 30 to supper, besides servants. We had the best dinner I ever sat down to. I think there was almost every dish, roast beef, veal, ham, ducks, fowls, salmon, pies of every description almost, and tarts, jellies, custard, cillibobs and a great many other articles. After dinner was removed, we had almost all kinds of fruits for the desert and plenty of wine. We had a meeting after tea. We broke up about ½ after 9. I stopped all night. It was very wet and came home next morning.

Thomas Hagen's wife Rachel, Robert Spence's sister, was taken seriously ill in 1830 and not expected to recover, her family being twice summoned; however, owing to or in spite of the drastic methods of Sir John Chapman, who "bled her in the arm copiously, eleven large leeches on the side, succeeded by two blisters," she survived and lived till 1856, though always very delicate.

Ackworth 5th month 19th 1807

My dear brother

   According to thy request I sit down to inform thee I received thy truly acceptable letter and the money for which I am obliged.

   I am at present in the enjoyment of health, which blessing I hope is extended to thee. I was at Pontefract monthly meeting on second day last, along with several more of my schoolfellows, where we enjoyed ourselves very much; it is a custom for about fifteen or sixteen girls to go and about twenty boys; as the monthly meeting is only held at Pontefract once in the year, so those that are not likely to be here another time draw lots, and they that get a paper with Pontefract marked on it are to go. I am glad to hear that Sister Rachel is gone to York School, I hope both she and myself may conduct ourselves to as to be worthy of thy kindness. I am much pleased with the thoughts of seeing thee before long, and am anxiously waiting for the time. Please present my dear love to Mother and Sister Rachel, and tell them that I have begun to think I am forgotten by them, it affords me much pleasure to hear from any of my dear Relations and Friends. I have not any more to express at present but dear Love in which J. Sams and Cousins wish to unite.

They affect. Sister

Sarah Spence.