1895, March 21

(NOTES: David is John's father & an ordained minister)

From: David Jones, at Sleaford, England

To: John A Jones, at (location unknown, but presumably somewhere in USA)

Dear John:

I cannot recall to mind the exact amount of your legacy, nor can I on searching find a clue to it, but I know it is some £35 or £36. So I send £36. This money I invested in American Railway Shares believing that long(?) are(?) this the price would have advanced and that the amount to be remitted to you would be appreciably larger. In this I am disappointed: instead of advancing, the price has materially depreciated. The reason is that American trade and finance have passed through a very severe ordeal during the last few years. If I had put your money in the Savings Bank it would have accumulated some little interest; but the probabilities at the time of investing seemed very much in favour of the American Railway Market. I ought to say that the shares referred to were non-dividend paying.

I hope you will soon find some employment, that your health will speedily improve and that your past experiences may be sanctified in some such way as God only is able to sanctify them.

Please acknowledge receipt of the money at once.

I remain,

Your affect. Father

[penciled in note says further "My Aunt Mary died Dec 1890 intestate. JAJ]