Lyng, July 29^th 1887

Dear aunt & uncle

I have often thought and talked about writing to you and now it's really being done. My mother too is pleased to have me write in her stead. It will come, no doubt, very unexpected to you as I have never written before. I am at the present time spending a few days with my mother and father. I think I must tell you here that it's your niece, Elizabeth Burton, who has now the pleasure of writing to you from home. I think my Mother has told you that I am in service yet (a goodly number of years) is it not? I have a fairly good situation in Suffolk My address is Finborough Hall, Stowmarket, Suffolk, where I have been living just over 4 years. Each year I have a fortnights holiday which gives me nice time to go to see my sisters and brothers too (those that are within reach). I have spent the first few days of my holiday in Yarmouth with my sister Mary Ann, Mrs. Norton. Mother met me in Norwich and went with me. It's a favourite place of mine at this time in the year and we are having a very hot and dry season. I think, dear aunt and uncle, that my mother has at different times told you all about our family. You know that my brothers and sisters are all married and have families except William, my youngest brother. He has no family. My eldest brother John has 10 children. His oldest son works with his father. A very nice young man he is. The eldest girl is in service and is doing well, a good girl I hope she is. There is another one ready for service and two younger boys all doing something so as to earn a little, and all little ones help. [unknown] ise they not. My brother Charles has 4 children - 2 sons and 2 daughters - Joseph has 5 children, 3 sons and 2 daughters, and my sister Hannah you know is a widow. Her family are grown up and are away except the youngest girl. The eldest, which is a son, was married very young. There is one child. Hannah's eldest girl is in service. Her other son, William, is a barber carrying on the business for a widow lady. I think I must say a little about them all now, although you may have heard the same thing before. Mary Anne, my sister in Yarmouth, has 3 children, all girls - one by her first husband - Anna Elizabeth is her name. She is a mantle maker in one of the shops in Yarmouth. Charlotte, my youngest sister, is having a large family. She has 4 little sons and one daughter and they are all, I hope, quite well. Last Sunday Joseph came [with] 2 of his children from Dereham to spend the day with us. My dear old father and mother are in good health. They are getting to look very aged now but both are, through the blessings of God, doing wonders for their time of life. Mother does some of the neatest needlework now, and father gets about the country and keeps on doing as he can in his way, although not able to earn much in these dull times. I must remind you that my mother and father will soon have a golden wedding. They have been married 50 years in November and I shall soon have my 49^th birthday (the 17^th of August). You see I am getting on in years. I am enjoying very good health, which is the greatest of all temporal blessings. Mother and father join me in love to you all. She is quite in a way that she has been so negligent in writing, quite ashamed of herself, and they hope to hear from you again soon. We all hope you are quite well. Before I close my letter I must tell you that we have been to Hockering this week to see aunt Charlotte Brighty. She is very well indeed but I did not think to tell her that I should be writing to you. Aunt's only daughter has been married about 2 years. She has now a baby just 7 weeks old (a fine son). Dear aunt and uncle, I should be very pleased to hear from you or my cousins. I return to my situation on Saturday the 30^th. The address I have given will find me. I hope at sometime. Your very affectionate niece, Elizabeth Burton.