It seems like there is a word missing in the letter of how Mrs. Gladding is feeling. “I hope Mrs. Gladding is quite ___” maybe meant to be well or something. Then I feel like the next word is for a new sentence like “Jannet was quite well the last time I…”. Do you (know) Mrs. Gladding’s first name or family members of hers?
John Hungerford Arkwright (EN912) wrote to a Mr. Gladding and said:
Mr. Gladding,
I do not quite know how you spell your name. I am now at school and very happy I have been to see Mamma 3 times in 3 weeks I have been here 6 weeks today. I suppose you are catching and killing plenty of rats - have you tried the snare yet? I want my tools very much here, most of the other boys have a tool box and a little lathe in the work shop. I have not brought the pony here O! bye the bye! how is my pony at home. I hope Mrs. Gladding is quite ______ was quite well the last time I saw her. Please to tell Tony the gardiner to take care of my celery. I remain Yours affectionately John H. Arkwright.
[From a Facebook Hungerford site (Hungerford Club 3000) is the following back and forth between Richard W. Hungerford Jr. and his daughter Jennifer Ann (Hungerford) Bishop on the missing word:
Maybe Jannet?
Good point. That makes sense. Gladding appears to be a family servant or something similar so I don't know the family with any detail. Unless someone comes up with something else--which I can't imagine--I'm going to use your rationale.]
Submitted by Richard Hungerford at 3:46 PM on August 28, 2024.