My dear sister

With pleasure I now take this opportunity of writing a few lines, hoping to find you all well as, thank God, it leaves us, except my ankle. The same day I received your kind letter, I happened of a bad accident getting over a stile. I wrung my ankle quite out of the joint so I have not been able to do anything for myself since. That [thank?] God I can just get about with a crutch now, but can do but little. My Betsey has been at home with me ever since, till last Thursday. She is gone into cant [?] Chartwell[1]. Westerham is the name of the place. She has been very poorly with pain of her side so that she was obliged to leave her place. But it is better now so I hope she will be able to stay, for it is a long way to go. I have sent you her likeness this time. I hope you will excuse me for being so neglecting of writing. I am much obliged to you for the ones you sent me. I think they look a happy couple. He is the best looking one of the three, but I hope no offence. I have not got my husband's yet. I hope I shall by the next time. You must not be so long as I have been. Your sister Charlotte Brighty is very poorly and has been for some time. Sister Hannah Frary came to see me just before Christmas. They are quite well and send their kind love to all, and your brother Charles and his son came the week before that. He was looking remarkably well. He lives at Hainford and works for his son in the shop that William had. He took the business when he died. Charles's son is married and has two children. I have got all your sons, now I should like to see your daughters. My daughter from Yarmouth, Mary Anne, is staying with me now. When she goes home, my William's wife is coming to stay a week or two. I hope by that time I shall be able to do a little. We have had a very favourable winter up to this time. We have had no snow but a great deel of rain, but very mild. How has it been in America? My daughter Hannah's husband talks of going to America several times. I think he will go. The mill is going to be sold where he is so, if he should not get anything to suit him, I think he will be for going. But I hope he will not, for there are five little ones and she is not strong. I think it will be the death of her. Was that accident near you at a theatre where there were so many killed? Now I think I must conclude, with our kind love to you all. I should so like to see you all. I hope we shall all meet in heaven where we shall part no more. So goodbye, God bless you all. I remain your loving sister, Mary Burton. You young people must excuse this scrawling.

Footnotes

1: Possibly Chartwell, Churchill's home in Kent