Frances "Fanny" Downing LIVEING [104]

  General Notes:

Frances appears to have had a middle name Downing, she is described thus in the Nayland burial register and in D Reg Sudbury 12 289, and the National Burial Index

Frances was guest/bridesmaid? at Thomas & Maria Fenn's wedding. She was aged 19 at her death and is buried in the family grave under the East Window Nayland.

Francis's Brother Edward writes of her death:
Francis, my dear sister Fanny who attended to me as a child and was so bright and affectionate and the sweetheart of poor Charles O Torlesse. She died at Nayland her illness consumption and her death caused the greatest anxiety and distress and probably determined ye fatal result of the illness of her father

Frances Liveing of Stoke by Nayland SFK spinster died 24 Apr 1843 at Stoke by Nayland.
Administration of her estate was granted to Catherine Mary Liveing Widow of 52 Queen Anne St MDX mother of deceased and only next of kin.
Proved 9 Sep 1864 under L300
PCC Calender of Wills.

  Other Records

1. Frances (Fanny) Liveing: Letter to her mother, 28 May 1833, Camberwell LND.
Mrs Liveing
Nayland
Suffolk
Near Colchester
Camberwell
May 28th
My dear Mama
I am afraid I cannot write much to you because Mary has wrote almost all the news that idea say you would like to hear that we are all quite well and how we spend our time in the morning we practice and attend to our French then make our dolls things and in the afternoon and take a walk. Mr Beaumont came here yesterday and asked uncle Charles to let us go and see St Paul's next Sunday morning and spent the rest of the day at his house. I enjoyed the ride on the donkey very much and Uncle Charles says if Papa we will keep a donkey for us he will give us one. Aunt desires her kind love and says that she was very sorry to hear that aunt Fenn was so ill and will try to recollect that feather grafs Jane is better, Elizabeth joins with me in sending love to Mamma Papa Grandmamma Aunt Fenn Tom and all the children and believe me dear Mamma your affectionate daughter
Frances Liveing
Written on four sides of one sheet with clear postmarks Night MY 28 1833, with an unsigned note "from Mary and Frances was staying at Camberwell with Uncle Charles" folded inserted and sealed. This letter was shared with Mary Kate Liveing
Original in Fenn archive 2007

2. Frances (Fanny) Liveing: Letter to her mother, 5 Jun 1833, Camberwell LND.
Mrs Liveing
Nayland
Suffolk
Near Colchester
Camberwell
June 5, 1833
My dear Mamma
I should have written yesterday but I had the head-ach (sic) but it is quite well today. I suppose I was rather tired last Monday but we enjoyed ourselves so very much. We all went to Mr Beaumonts on Sunday and slept there and in the morning Mr Beaumont took us to Guildhall, we saw Gog and Magog, a great many paintings, and some men with large wigs. I think we went all over Guildhall, then we went to the Bank and the people made such a noise, we saw the first Bank note that was ever made, we saw the largest piece of gold money and the smallest piece. Afterwards we went to Leadenhall market and then went to the Tower, we saw a great many soldiers and yeomen, they were dressed in scarlet trimed with black and velvet hats with a wreath of artificial flowers round them. We saw some very large cannons and a great many more things that I can tell you about when we come home next we went to the Custom house, and went into a very large room and saw some men bringing some boxers out of a boat there we saw a large steamboat almost as big as a ship, we called at Uncle Charles office and saw Robert Fenn and then had our dinner afterwards eleven of us went to the top of St Paul's it was a very clear day and we liked it a great deal better than the Coliseum, we were tired going up the stairs but not at all coming down for Uncle Charles carried as part of the way, we were very much pleased with the whispering gallery. My fingers ach (sic) now and so I leave Mary to finish. Give my love to Papa Grandmamma Aunt Fenn Tom and all the children
from your affectionate daughter
Frances Liveing.
Written on two of four sides of a large notepaper shared with Mary, folded inserted and sealed with red sealing wax postmarked "JN 5 1833" unsigned note "5 June 1833 from Frances and Mary while staying at Camberwell with Uncle Charles"

3. Frances (Fanny) Liveing: Letter to her mother, 18 Jun 1833, Camberwell LND.
Mrs Liveing
Nayland
Suffolk
near Colchester
My dear Mamma
We are all quite well and we were very glad to hear that Aunt Fen was better. Papa went to the Isle of Wright (sic) but he was obliged to go alone because Uncle Charles could not go with him and he does not expect to be here again till Friday or Saturday so that we cannot see you before Monday or Tuesday but I have not heard when we are to go home. One day last week we went again to the Oxford Street and Soho bazaar. Tomorrow if it is fine we are going to the British Museum, and to drink tea at Mr Beaumonts, the next day we are to go and see the Dulwich Gallery, we are much obliged to you for saying that we may have another ride on the donkeys. Uncle and Aunt Charles and Elizabeth and I send our loves to you and Mr Beaumont desires to be kindly remembered.
and believe me my dear Mamma your affectionate daughter
Frances Liveing
Letter written on 3 1/2 sides of a sheet postmarked " night J U 18 1833" folded inserted and sealed. Note "June 18 1833 fr Mary and Frances"
Original in Fenn archive

4. Frances (Fanny) Liveing: Letter to her mother, 25 Jun 1834, Wix ESS.
Mrs E. Liveing
Nayland
Suffolk
Wednesday, June 25, 1834
My dear Mamma
As Uncle Henry will have to read prayers tomorrow, it will not be convenient to him to bring us home so you must not expect us till Saturday, then Uncle says he will be at liberty to take us home, Uncle is going to Mistley this afternoon to dine at Mr Norman's and we're going to drink tea at the Arch-Deacon's, we have been there three times before there are some little boys and girls staying there now. I had a little headache yesterday for the first time since I have been here, but it's pretty well today, I forgot to ask Uncle to mend me a pen before he went out, but Mary has mended me some, so my writing is not good we shall have a great many things to tell you when we get home but I cannot write any more now as my paper is filled
Mary joins with me in kind love to you and Papa and all at home and believe me my dear Mamma
your affectionate daughter
F. Liveing
Written on four sides of a small note paper folded and sealed, with an unsigned note reading "25 June 1834 Frances staying with Uncle Henry at Wix?"
Origional in Fenn archive 2007

5. Census: England, 7 Jun 1841, Bures St Nayland SFK. Frances is described as aged 15 born SFK

6. Frances (Fanny) Liveing: Letter to her mother, 20 Aug 1841, Alveston WAR.
Alveston
August 20, 1841
My dear Mamma
As Mary had only time yesterday to write a line just to tell you we had arrived safely at our journey's end I thought I would write today and give you a longer account of our proceedings. We were very pleased to stay two hours at Leamington Mr and Mrs Burnett desired to be particularly remembered to Papa and to you. The coach that took us from Leamington to Alveston travels more slowly even than our Headley one, we thought we never should arrive here. Have we not been very fortunate in having such a fine weather? Mr Knottisford took us over the grounds the morning after we arrived, they are really very extensive and beautiful, some of the trees I admire particularly, indeed all the country round is beautifully wooded. Maria's time is almost entirely taken up with attending to little Edward who is not very well but I think Mrs Fortescue will return today, and then I suppose Maria will be more at liberty. The Mifs Taylors are exceedingly kind people Mary and I have just been walking with Mifs Taylor to see the Victoria spa it is a very pretty place about a mile from here. Yesterday we had a very great treat, Mr Knottisford took us first to Warwick then on to Kenilworth the ride to Warwick is very pretty indeed we were most delighted with Warwick Castle the scenery round it is certainly exceedingly striking and lovely. I had never seen any place so beautiful before. The paintings also are very fine but it required more time than we could give to see them as I liked Kenilworth Castle is quite a ruin and not nearly so beautifully situated as that of Warwick. We went also to Warwick Church Mr Knottesford was very kind in explaining the different things to us, he pointed out all the places round and gave us much information about them. We enjoyed the day exceedingly: I only wish you could be with us. My tooth has behaved very well which is indeed a great comfort it has not ached badly once since I have been here. I am sorry I must conclude as they are ready to take the letters they always go exactly at 4. Will you write to us soon. With kind love to all ever your very affectionate child
Fanny Liveing
Written on four sides of a small sheet with an unsigned note reading "Aug 20 1841 Frances staying at Alveston visit to Warwick and Kenilworth" Unaddressed so it was presumably enclosed with other mail.
Original in Fenn archive

7. Frances (Fanny) Liveing: Letter to her mother, 6 Sep 1841, Alveston WAR.
Alveston
September 6, 1841
My dear Mamma
We have just received a note from Mrs Birch who intends leaving Leamington the beginning of next week but does not name the day. I rather wish she could have returned this week as Mr and Mrs Fortescue are going to her fathers on Wednesday and Maria too, I do not know when they will return home. Do not you think now that Aunt Alston has left you could manage to come and fetch us? It would be so very nice, you need not be away from home more than one week altogether! Mrs Birch says that Bonne has got rid of her cough entirely, also that Mrs Birch will probably meet us in London. I have had a slight cough for a fortnight it has been more troublesome the last few days and dear Aunt Knottesford is rather worried because it will not go away. I don't know how I caught cold, only I know it was not from carelefsnefs for I have been very particular is not going out with nothing on because of my face. It was very kind of you to say I might return to Nayland with Mary if I much wished it I do certainly particularly wish to do so it does seem silly but I should be much more comfortable at Maida Hill if I might come home first. Have you written to aunt Louisa? I must write to Elizabeth soon but it seems uselefs to do so until it is settled whether or not I stay there on my way home. Edward went to Leeds last Wednesday to attend at the consecration of Dr Hook's church, he returned on Saturday. Such an immense afsemblage of clergyman and such a consecration he says has not been known for a great length of time; but we will give a long description of it on our return. Yesterday Mr Knottesford took the morning duty at the chapel in in Stratford; and in the afternoon we went to Billesley. Dear little cousin Mary improves very much, she is quite a pretty baby now, her hair is just like Charlotte's, indeed she reminds me much of what Chatty was when a baby. Give my love to Sally and tell her how pleased I was with her long letter, it was very kind of her to send us so much news. I am sorry she was not able to give Cousin Robert my poor little watch. Oh how careful I will be over it if I can but get it set right again. I suppose Uncle Harold continues much the same, does he talk about living at Colchester still?
Aren't Sears give my dear love to your mother and tell her it is a great pleasure to her that Mrs Birch is going to stay longer at Leamington and if you're cough should get any worse I shall let her know. Now dear Mamma I must conclude accept and distribute our kind love to all, not forgetting aunt Alston & Margaret and believe me always your very affectionate child
Fanny Liveing
PS Not having heard anything about Mifs Stratford I hope she is well. Mifs Smith had her music lessons at our house.
Written on four sides of a note sheet, and over written on two. No envelope.
Original in Fenn archive.

8. Frances (Fanny) Liveing: Letter to her mother, 29 Aug 1842, Rushall WIL.
Mrs Liveing
Nayland
Suffolk
Nr Colchester
Rushall Cottage
Monday evening
My dear Mamma
I write a line tonight to be ready for the morning Post that you may hear as early as possible of our safe arrival at Rushall - Uncle and I started by the quarter past 10 train from Paddington, we had a very quick comfortable journey to Chippenham from thence we took a very nice open chaise and reached Rushall before five o'clock, I enjoyed the drive from Chippenham to Devizes extremely - at the latter place it began to rain very hard but we took no harm as the chaise had a hood. All I saw on my journey here pleased me very much, I did not expect to see the country half so wooded.
Maria welcomed us very warmly, she, Aunt Alston and Margaret were all in the drawing-room, Tom was out and I have scarcely spoken a word to him at present but he looks well although thin - As to dear Annie she is indeed a sweet child she looks the very picture of good temper - the baptism* takes place tomorrow Robert is not expected - I believe there will be a dinner party - I hope to write you a full account of it and of every thing else if not tomorrow, the next day without fail, but I do not feel able to write more tonight, so with kindest love to yourself and all that home believe me my dearest Mamma ever your affectionate
Fanny
Aunt Alston and Margaret send their love and desire me to say they leave Rushall on Thursday and hope to reach an Nayland on Friday.
I think of Aunt Fenn every time I look upon pretty Annie feeling sure that she would almost eat her up could she be transported here - my dear God child* I love already - poor little darling I can't bear to see her so thin. Goodbye
Mr Barnes to my surprise is not arrived but I fancy he will be here before midnight.
Written Mon 29 Aug on four sides of a note sheet but undated, envelope shows clear Pewsey post stamp "AU 30 1842" franked one penny stamp, post stamp on back of envelope if "F 31AU31 1842" and two unsigned notes one scratched out the other "August 30, 1842 Frances at Tom Fenn at Rushall" Sealed with black sealing wax and the imprint of a 5 petaled flower.
* The baptism referred to on the 30 Aug is that of Isabella Fenn
Original in Fenn archive

9. Frances (Fanny) Liveing: Letter to her mother, 8 Sep 1842, Rushall WIL.
Mrs Liveing
Nayland
Suffolk
(Nr Colchester)
Rushall Cottage
September 8th
My dear Mamma
I did not intend to have written today but Tom mentioned something to me this morning which I thought you might as well know - He said Uncle Henry had been telling him that Louise Harrold) thought it very strange indeed, and felt hurt, that she has not been invited to stop at Nayland - She wishes particularly to stay at your house - Uncle Henry himself too is quite put out about it Tom says. I told the latter that Marian now occupies our only spare room and how long she intends to stay I know not - I should much like to know what Louise's is plans are, when uncle Henry heard from her the other day she said she had been very poorly the last fortnight, and had written to ask her father to come and fetch her home but he could not - I suppose she wanted to get away - but perhaps she could share Mary's bed for a little while or Mifs S would kindly give up her's to her, I doubt not if you like that arrangement or Marian will perhaps visit Aunt Alston before Louisa leaves this part of the country - I received Mary's kind letter this morn Uncle H. wished she had sent word how Louise's health was - he is I am glad to say recovering, and I think will soon be strong again, and his appetite has returned - he took a walk with me yesterday, and afterwards went with us to dine at Mr Crooks - we had an agreeable evening of it altogether, Mr C. is a gentle, manly, pleasant person - they talked about the Huseyites a great deal at dinner - there seemed to be very many clergyman followers of Husey hereabouts - one a Mr Mosley declares there is only one step between his faith and that of the Roman Catholic - he does not agree to worshipping the Virgin Mary - I trust he will have his living or whatever it is taken from him ere long - tell Mary with my love I have written to Mrs Burnett - also tell dear Papa - Tom is very soon going to use his horse at present he is fattening it up the creature seems to be thoro'ly enjoying himself in the paddock before the house, I often see him running about there he makes himself quite at home - Now I will conclude with my love to you dear Mamma and to all not forgetting Marion & believe me always your very affectionate
Fanny
Baby looks much better yesterday and today too
P.S. I have written so many letters my Queens heads & postage envelopes are nearly gone already - I forgot to tell you no one could be procured to take Uncle H's duty either part of ye day last Sunday which seems to trouble him he sends love to all
Written on four sides of a small notepaper with envelope stamped clearly "Pewsey SP 9 1842" on the back "0 10SP10 1842", sealed with black sealing wax, with an unsigned note "September 9, 1842 Frances at Rushall" written on inside of flap.
Original in Fenn archive

10. Frances (Fanny) Liveing: Letter to her mother, 10 Sep 1842, Rushall WIL.
Mrs Liveing
Nayland
Suffolk
(nr Colchester)
Rushall Cottage
Sepbr 10
My dear Mamma
I received your note this morning and am somewhat puzzled to know how to answer it - Robert intends leaving Rushall Monday week, that he may spend two or three days at Horksley Park with his mother if I come up to London with him, I shall only have spent three weeks here exactly, which is a very short time to stay when one considers the long journey and great distance from Nayland - I made up my mind on coming here to stop a month or at the furthest five weeks - I have mentioned your proposal to Tom and Marie the former says he will undertake to see that I get home safely but how he will manage this I can't say I can see (say) how much I wish Robert could spend another week here - I am really troubled not knowing what to do about leaving in one weeks time, for I seem to be only just arrived - Uncle Henry left us today, Tom drove him to Devizes and he took a coach from thence to Chippenham, he hoped to get to Uxbridge in good time - I think he will soon be quite strong again, his spirits have been very good lately - I hope before you receive this note dear Ellen will be quite herself - I am glad to say Isabella has improved very much this last week - she looks better altogether - thanks to dear Nanny for her letter - I am glad you have arranged for the Louisa's coming to Nayland. Maria desires me to say Tom will see me into . . . . . the train when the time comes for one to go - If he will do this I shall not mind travelling alone to London, as I trust Uncle William will be so kind as to meet me there - I suppose in this case I must give up staying at Camberwell this year, as Uncle's holidays begin so shortly - I am sorry to miss seeing Louisa again - now dear Mamma if after reading this you think it would be a much better plan to come up with Robert write and say so directly & I will be ready to come though I shall leave reluctantly - I must say goodbye for tonight with kind love to yourself and believe me my dear Mamma your very affectionate
Fanny
PS I have written this ready for tomorrow morning's post.
Maria and Robert join me in kind love to all the Nayland and kisses to baby - Tom is gone to bed not being quite well - he pretends to make us think this constitution is gradually breaking up - however Maria is not frightened.
Written on four sides by small notepaper and on the inside of the opening flap of the envelope. The envelope (11.5cm x 7cm) shows a Pewsey postmark plus two others confirming the date at 1842, a one penny franked stamp, it was closed with a black seal. An unsigned note reads "September 10 1842 Frances at Rushall"
Original in Fenn archive.

11. Frances (Fanny) Liveing: Letter to her mother, 14 Sep 1842, Rushall WIL.

12. Frances (Fanny) Liveing: Letter to her mother, 23 Sep 1842, Rushall WIL.
Mrs Liveing
Nayland
Suffolk
(Nr Colchester)
Camberwell September 23
My dear Mamma
I know you would like to have a line from me today and to hear I had a comfortable journey yesterday - Tom borrowed Mr Alf's cart which took us baggage and all to Devizes - We started from Rushall about half past 8 and waited at Devizes half an hour before the coach was ready to start for Chippenham - We took that opportunity of examining the crofs also a nice church, with a very fine Norman tower - Tom put me inside the coach and then bid us goodbye. As the day was not rainy we went in the second clafs carriages and arrived at Paddington about four o'clock. We then got into a cab and reached Uncle William before they had finished dinner, we had hardly arrived half an hour before Uncle and Aunt Charles joined us we spent the afternoon and part of the evening there - you may imagine how greatly disappointed I was to find that Betty could not accompany me to Camberwell as Miss E. Deck is staying with her which Aunt C was not aware of when she invited Betty to be with me - I hope however they will all come over here on Tuesday as Uncle C proposes taking the whole party to the Surrey Gardens that evening. I was truly thankful to get to bed last night being nearly knocked up - but today I feel right again - we have had an early dinner as we are expecting Mrs Simpson and Mifs Robertson to spend the evening, I believe Uncle Charles is to bring them in his carriage - Aunt C is poorly with a slight attack of that horrid cholera, Mifs Parson has been troubled but is better I am very pleased to find her here - I hope to have a better account of dear Papa soon and also a baby - Isabella I left tolerably well - now I will conclude, the day is not fixed for Uncle and Aunt to leave London - with kind love to yourself and to all ever believe me my dear Mamma your very affectionate child
Fanny
I hope poor Mifs S's cold is better by this time - Uncle says, how much money does Papa want for the farm? how much for himself? and when does he want it? It would be more convenient to Uncle the second or third of October as he makes up his accounts the end of every month but still Papa can have the money whatever day he likes if he will send word.
Dr Young has been here and desires his kind regards - Robert Fenn took great care of me - What a strange person Louisa Harold is about her plans - We hear she is coming on Monday to us but she has not written to Aunt C so we hardly know what to think I paid Mr Barnes.
Written on four sides of a small note sheet plus an inserted sheet and overwriting on the front page. Envelope shows postmark with date and note paid, also unsigned note "23 September 1842 Frances journey from Rushall to London by coach and rail with R Fenn". Sealed with a black seal.
Original in Fenn archive.

13. Frances (Fanny) Liveing: Letter to her mother, 8 Oct 1842, London.
Prospect Place
October 8th
My dearest Mamma
I was very glad to have your kind note and should have written yesterday but there was no time as we walked to St Paul's with uncle Henry. Now as to my returning home Uncle has made up his mind to come down on Monday week but of course cannot be sure that he will not be hindered, he leaves us this afternoon and has promised to write to me word as soon as pofsible if anything short occur to prevent him from going with me, and if the worst comes to the worst I must come alone inside the Wellington - I very much wish to stop this next week and am quite glad that you do not seem to object to it - Uncle Henry wished to have come down by the railroad, but I refused in that case to accompany him because I remembered you had a very strong objection to it. When I arrived here on Monday afternoon I found Louisa Harold, Emma Deck & Emma Freshfield, the latter however returned to school the next day. Louise is in excellent spirits Uncle Henry is coming on Tuesday to fetch her home and intends staying 2 or 3 days at Cheshunt himself.
How fortunate Uncle and Aunt Charles have been with regard to the weather - I suppose you will see something of them tomorrow or the next day, give my kind love to them both Betty's spirits are very good and she is pretty well in health but the last 3 days have been very fatiguing ones - we walked about the Pantheon and Oxford Street on Tuesday with Aunt Louisa and Wednesday Uncle William took us to that tiring British Museum. Thursday morning at breakfast time Uncle Henry arrived and we went with him to the Chinese show (which I think Mary was much pleased with) and then proceeded to Westminster's Abbey and joined in the afternoon service - Today we are at home excepting indeed Uncle H. & Louise who have walked to St Martin's Lane to hear a celebrated organ - I must soon leave off writing as we really ought to call on Mr and Mrs Thorogood hitherto I have had no opportunity - Poor Mrs Steane is too ill to be seen at present, this has been one of her very ill weeks - I saw Captain Steane the day I came, also Charles Mrs Neville (?) spent the evening with as - Betty desires her kindest love and I am to thank you for your invitation which for the present she declines as she has been so much from home, also she has just begun to take lessons of Mr Harris again so it would not do to break them off - this reminds me I have an autumn cold which is a alas just bad enough to prevent my singing, I was extra ordinarily free from cold during my stay at Rushall but I soon got one at Camberwell.
I am particularly glad you are becoming more reconciled to Beatrice I hope dear Ellen is to - I shall certainly be obliged to spend a whole day with Aunt Fenn on my return - shall I not? Is Mifs Stratford free from cold now?.
We all unite in kindest love to yourself and to all believe me my dear Mamma ever your affectionate.
Fanny
PS I forgot whether I told you Dr Young very much enjoyed his visit in Suffolk
Written on four sides of a notepaper one side over written, not addressed and not dated with the year but from the references to Rushall and Camberwell the transcriber (ELF) would guess at 1842. An unsigned note reads "Frances staying with Uncle William in London no year"
Original in Fenn archive.

14. Frances (Fanny) Liveing: Letter to her mother, 15 Oct 1842, London.
Mrs Liveing
Nayland
Suffolk
(Nr Colchester)
Saturday morning
My dear Mamma
I thought I would write you a line to say you may expect to see me sometime on Monday. Uncle Henry came up from Cheshunt last night and I believe will take two places on the Wellington for us today, but if the coach which starts at 11 should not go on the rail very likely we shall travel by that because it puts Uncle Henry to inconvenience to get up here Monday morning early enough for Wellington - At all events my dear Mamma I doubt not I shall reach you in some way or other, for tho Uncle Henry has not exactly settled his plan plans I feel perfectly safe under his protection and I know he will manage everything all right for me - indeed I am very glad to have a companion for I do not at all like travelling alone.
I have not paid my respects to them Mifses Taylor but Aunt has most kindly promised to go with me this morning - Last night Betty went to have her singing lefson and we all accepted Mrs Hitchcock's invitation to drink tea with them. I was quite uncomfortable with a very bad cold, but I feel quite another creature today, and hope that my native wit will entirely cure me - So now dear Mamma I will conclude us I hope breakfast is nearly ready - With our united kind love to yourself and to all believe me my dear Mamma ever your affectionate
Fanny
P.S. Poor Emma Deck has been ill with a violent cold on her chest her cough will not leave her entirely.
Written on three sides of a notepaper sealed with black sealing wax, postmarked clearly "B paid 15Oct15 1842" over stamped "Paddington . . . . . " with an unsigned note "15 October 1842 Frances apparently an Uncle William in London coming home with Uncle Henry by coach or rail in two days time"
Original in Fenn archive

15. Frances (Fanny) Liveing: Letter to her mother, After Oct 1842, Copford ESS.
Copford
Saturday Afternoon
My dear Mamma
Aunt Ambrose wished me to write and say that she hopes you will not want Anna to return with us on Wednesday next, she wishes her to stay here till Mifs Stratford comes back, and I second her wish as the child looks quite improved, having a nice colour in her cheeks & seeming thoroughly happy Aunt will undertake to send her home so that difficulty is gone. She was not at all dull here when alone - I was disappointed not to hear from Uncle last night how poor Sally's head was - I hope you will not over fatigue yourself muddling about with the children - you will be glad to hear Uncle and Aunt Charles are coming down this day fortnight so dear baby's baptism need not be put off long. The William Liveings intend coming here that same day - Betty describes herself as much improved in health. With kind love to you and all ever my dear Mamma your very affectionate
Fanny
PS George is gone to Colchester with uncle - We expect John this afternoon.
Written on three sides of a small note sheet, unaddressed & undated, with an unsigned note "no date Frances Anne and George staying at Copford"
Original in Fenn archive.