1897, February 12

From: Reverend David Jones, at Sleaford, England [this is John's father, who was an ordained minister]

To: John Adkins Jones, at (location unknown)

My dear John:

I am pleased to hear that you are getting on so satisfactorily. I hope your change of situation will not be in any way prejudicial to you. If your new berth will prove permanent, it will be a good move. There could be no doubt of your success provided health continues and that the right lines be pursued. You will need more salary, now that you have gone into house-keeping. It must be very pleasant for you and Gerty to be near enough to see each other occasionally.

I have made enquiries concerning the publication you named but there seems to be no publication devoted exclusively to cycles: what literature is devoed to them I am told appears along with other productions of kindred nature.

I suppose you have received your legacy of £40 from the estate of the late Miss Lancaster. I was quite surprised to hear that she ahd anything to leave to you and your brother & sisters; for although she had a nice sum & inherited the estate of her brother William some years ago, I thought that her ill health and her utter dependence upon other people had reduced her means to something approaching nil.

I have nothing to relate of local or family interest. Miss Cookes' father at Pinchbeck is in a critical state of health. Your grandmother is still living and is in her 89^th year, having been born May 21, 1808. With love to yourself and your wife, I remain, your father, D. Jones.

P.S. enclosed to Gertie, I send a note of the ?? Manufacturer(?)

1897, January 7

DATE: 1897, January 7
From: James Kempster, at New York; on letterhead of 'Office of Serpa & Co. Wholesale & Retail Dealers & Importers of Cigars, Cigarettes & Tobacco; No. 9 William St., New York', (noting that James Kempster is either a partner or co-owner)
To: John Adkins Jones, at (location unknown)

Dear Mr. Jones:
I have to thank you for two ?? a copy of the people's 'Daily Telegraph' , the ?? London & a ?? list. My wife & mother also wish to convey to you their thanks for your kindness in sending them Christmas cards. I read the police reports for London 1897 and was much gratified to know where ?? had de?? So much. I also noticed in the 'Telegraph' that the 'Boxing Day' drunks were not nearly so numerous as in former years. The account of the murders of Mr. T/Jeriss was interesting as to details. It was a sad event & ?? quite a sensation in this city. I should say ?? the profession will do something in the way of a memorial to him.
After seeing about 100 places I finally settled in the lower part of a house on 15TH St. & ?? ?? e moved on New Year's Day and I believe we shall be very comfortable. Ethel looks already much brighter. The air is very fresh and cool. Here I note ?? is healed.
I passed a mid-winter exam ?? YMCA & scored 88 in German & 88 in Spanish which I think is encouraging.
Mrs. Jones & baby Jones appear to be in very good health. We had ten at our house one evening and after a good deal of conversation with your sister, I believe she is certainly becoming a changed woman. But she needs much ?? on practical every day topics.
Our new Mayor has commenced his reign and our interview that he had with the school commission was published proves him to be a true Tiger ready to snap ?? at the least provocation. New bills are already in the Senate in favor of Tammany.
I enclose you a letter of introduction from the Tobacco Leaf, which, if you can spare the time, will help you to get some tobacco matter for my book. I particularly would like to get the "Counterblaste of James I" in the original language. I think it could be copied in the British Museum for a few shillings?
I am now writing a few words at a time so can say very little. I am too late to say M.C. [Merry Christmas] but wish you a most prosperous & Happy New Year.
/signed/ James Kempster

Notes:
More about the Counterblaste, can be found here:

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/A_Counterblaste_to_Tobacco

http://www.laits.utexas.edu/poltheory/james/blaste/index.html

Date uncertain; possibly between April 1896 & April 1897

From: Alice Annie Wren, at 488 Waverly Avenue, Brooklyn, New York

To: John Adkins Jones, at (location unknown)

My dearest Jack:

Your's of the 31^ST does it really seem so possible as all that, shall we come to England, is Florence to come too? If we come, Hazel is still with us & we are comfortable together. What is the business like now? Baby is well & grows more every day. Glad to say we are all well. I have a cold. How are you? I don't like the thoughts of breaking up.

Yes Susie* wrote me a very nice letter, telling me all about your visit home. What result of the pocket book? I hear the trunks have reached the owner; who I should think wept with joy. Gerty & children are with bad colds. Baby begins to try & crawl & wriggles around & plays & says what you say.** She claps her little hands. No more teeth yet, but she, I think, is after them. I have not yet sent you lamp I was waiting to hear more certain from you. Florence seems very anxious to know if you have seen your brother. She keeps to her room every evening. I know she has taken it of granted she is to come to England & does not care very much about it. I went to New York with Hazel Wednesday & saw Henry & I told him what you said about coming & he says he supposed if she did go back you would send her home. Tell me how your business is doing & if you are comfortable & does Sarah look after your clothes? I hope so. You know how much I miss you. I have not said much as I am not sure of your address. More next time. I close with love from baby & I am your affectionate wife, Alice

NOTES:

*Not sure of the relationship between Annie & Susie

** This should put the letter as closer to April 1897

December 1896 (estimated)

From: Alice Annie Wren, at 488 Waverly Avenue, Brooklyn, New York

To: John Adkins Jones, at (location unknown)

My dearest Jack:

By today's paper I see you had passed Brow Head. I am glad to know you are safely on land. We all wish you a happy Christmas & speedy return. I have got a shaving glass for you. I know that it would be useful to you.

I have just undressed baby & she is now in doing her best to talk & eat her shoe - & she has two teeth now. She is well. We all are & wish you were here. Florence seems more lively & contented & is dressing the doll. Give my love to all. And I need not say what & how much love I send to you, my Jack. I would like to see you now. I wonder how you are & what you are doing. Be your own true self, by that I mean I know you would not do or go where you would not like me to know. I hope you are rested & feel fresh & well for your work & God be with you, my own Jack. I will close this note; it is raining & I want to get back. I've got a cold.

Now dearest, I am your affectionate Wife, Alice

(A kiss from baby for Papa)

After April 17, 1896

Date is sometime after April 17th, 1896, which is the date their daughter Alice was born

From: Alice Annie Wren, at 488 Waverly Avenue, Brooklyn, New York

To: John Adkins Jones, at (location unknown)

My dearest Jack:

Your letter of the 4^TH was full of interest to me. I suppose you thought Colliers End a funny place, & full of funny people? But like all country places – I do send you 18 for that letter, I trust you are all right & don't overdo it. You must take a certain amount of rest, I am trying to do this & getting baby to sleep – it's hard work but the pet does get along nicely & says Mama very often & said Papa a few times & eats a lot of bread crusts, biscuits, potatoes & gravy, apples, oranges, & [??], trys to [??] paper, wood, & all else that comes in the way & trys to crawl & walk, pull herself up & laughts & plays with [??]. Her hair grows & she is a round faced little pet. I hope the Voyage will not upset her. I wonder what we'll feel ike in Londaon. You ask Florence to come over, & if she does, I'll never be able to have any of my people to see me; I can quite see what it will be to me, but I know you will say it folly on my part; she of course knows where her bread is & she does not think it’s the right thing for a woman to work. At least (her) its degrading but I don't think so, & I don't believe she will ever be but a bother to you & expense; is she to live with us? She is I believe a horridly discontented woman & will always be, & I suppose you will have to pay her passage over, enough of her for now.

You ask in yours of Jan. 7 a number of questions which I have answered but - her hands yes, table cloth & all else she can get. For her Christmas she had 2 flannel petticoats from Mrs. Kempster, 2 bibs & silk handkerchief with G on from Ethel, a pinafore from Mrs. W. Kerslake, cards from the children I gave her a rag doll, a warm cream dress for best & made her the two pinafores I began before you went away. Gerty gave her a rubber doll. Hazel 2 pr. Stockings.

Strange with your letter on Saturday, I [also] had [letters] from Sarah, Florrie, & Agness. Florrie['s letter] was full of your visit. S. Ann['s was] of your lonely state. Agness[' was] of leaving Leicester in March & seeing baby's photo.

Now dear, what do you say about my selling up & ship what's to come & go to Bloomfield & wait there till you send for us – it would be cheaper & save the rent, & other things even if we paid for our board & give me a rest before starting; I don't quite like the idea, with baby coming across. Do you really mean us to come? I've had to get more coal in only ½ this time; I want that to last & it will to the time to answer this.

Tell me what about the banking loan? Don't you think it would be best to leave the bed behind. You know the freight will be terrible & the risk very great & perhaps nowhere to put it. The carpets are cheaper I think at home; the table I won't bring - not worth while; of course I can understand you wishing me to bring them but it would be best to find out exactly what it would cost. Mr. K said he would not take it over there – too expensive. If I had my way I would bring only the green chair, baby's, my stool & round table from front room & sideboard, & of course kitchen things, pots, pans & small thinks, linen, plates, pictures, vases, clothes, that's all. The furniture in the front room is not worth it; it would have to be done up & put to that the freight, we could buy others as cheap. Now write & tell me what you think on the different points I have said. I certainly think & advise boarding at Gertie's; it would not even by paying go up to half as much & of course [there would be] the rent off. If you agree to it, I will set to work & sell or whatever Mr. K thinks best.

Now you can't say I've not written as much as you this tie & under more difficulties too. Yours were two nice letters. I seel you tell me you are fond of me still. Now dearest I am longing to see you & have a kiss.

I am Your loving Wifie

Alice & a lot of kisses for Papa from baby Alice