{"id":8064,"date":"2025-11-02T11:32:45","date_gmt":"2025-11-02T11:32:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/olddays.co.uk\/?page_id=8064"},"modified":"2025-11-02T14:20:33","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T14:20:33","slug":"hall-hills-letter-1846","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/hall-hills-letter-1846\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hall Hills Letter (c.\u00a01846)"},"content":{"rendered":"<style><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><br \/>:root { color-scheme: light dark; }<br \/>body {<br \/>  font-family: -apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,\"Segoe UI\",Roboto,Arial,sans-serif;<br \/>  line-height: 1.7;<br \/>  margin: 0;<br \/>  padding: 0;<br \/>  background: #faf9f7;<br \/>  color: #222;<br \/>}<br \/>header {<br \/>  text-align: center;<br \/>  background: #eae6e1;<br \/>  padding: 1rem;<br \/>  border-bottom: 2px solid #d5d0c9;<br \/>}<br \/>header img {<br \/>  max-width: 100%;<br \/>  height: auto;<br \/>  border-radius: 8px;<br \/>  box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.25);<br \/>}<br \/>header figcaption {<br \/>  font-size: 0.9rem;<br \/>  color: #555;<br \/>  margin-top: 0.5rem;<br \/>  font-style: italic;<br \/>}<br \/>main {<br \/>  max-width: 900px;<br \/>  margin: auto;<br \/>  padding: 1.5rem;<br \/>}<br \/>h1,h2,h3 { line-height: 1.3; }<br \/>h1 { text-align: center; margin-top: 0.5rem; }<br \/>blockquote {<br \/>  margin: 1rem 2rem;<br \/>  padding-left: 1rem;<br \/>  border-left: 3px solid #bbb;<br \/>  font-style: italic;<br \/>}<br \/>pre {<br \/>  white-space: pre-wrap;<br \/>  word-wrap: break-word;<br \/>  background: #fff;<br \/>  padding: 0.75rem;<br \/>  border-radius: 6px;<br \/>  font-family: \"Courier New\",monospace;<br \/>  font-size: 0.95rem;<br \/>  border: 1px solid #ddd;<br \/>}<br \/>.card {<br \/>  background: #fff;<br \/>  border-radius: 12px;<br \/>  padding: 1rem;<br \/>  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;<br \/>  box-shadow: 0 2px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);<br \/>}<br \/>@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark){<br \/> body{background:#121212;color:#e0e0e0;}<br \/> pre,.card{background:#1e1e1e;border-color:#444;}<br \/> blockquote{border-color:#666;}<br \/>}<br \/><\/style>\n<h2>A Cross-Written Victorian Correspondence (c.\u00a01846)<\/h2>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_8068\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8068\" style=\"width: 299px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh01-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-8068\" src=\"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh01-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"299\" height=\"490\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh01-1.jpg 1344w, https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh01-1-183x300.jpg 183w, https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh01-1-625x1024.jpg 625w, https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh01-1-768x1258.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh01-1-938x1536.jpg 938w, https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh01-1-1251x2048.jpg 1251w, https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh01-1-570x933.jpg 570w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 299px) 100vw, 299px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8068\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Original cross-written letter from Hall Hills, Cumberland, dated 15\u00a0January\u00a01846\u00a0[est.].<br \/>Image \u00a9 Collection of Ian Waugh \/ Old British News Archive.<\/figcaption><\/figure><strong>Summary:<\/strong><br \/>\nA three-page letter written from <em>Hall Hills<\/em>, near Dalston in Cumberland, to the Fothergill family at Leek, Staffordshire, around January\u00a01846.<br \/>\nAuthored by <strong>A.\u00a0H.<\/strong>, a literate and observant woman, it reveals a vivid picture of mid-nineteenth-century domestic life \u2014 family news, property dealings, weather, and moral reflection \u2014 and concludes with a cross-written postscript about a magistrate\u2019s trial then occupying local talk.<br \/>\nThe folded sheet was addressed to <strong>Messrs\u00a0Ewin\u00a0&amp;\u00a0Co., Solicitors, Leek<\/strong>, bearing the endorsement <strong>\u201cG.\u00a0H.\u00a0Fothergill\u00a0Esq., from\u00a0Cumberland.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"card\">\n<h2>Full Verbatim Transcription<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"329\" data-end=\"367\"><em data-start=\"329\" data-end=\"367\">(Hall Hills, 15 January [1846 est.])<\/em><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"369\" data-end=\"398\">Hall Hills,<br data-start=\"380\" data-end=\"383\" \/>January 15th.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"400\" data-end=\"416\">My dear Fanny,<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"418\" data-end=\"1126\">I am rather ashamed, on looking over your last letter, to see that you waited so long for an answer. The truth is, I put your letter aside and forgot all about it \u2014 such old things! I am glad to hear he was pleased with the Hills book I gave him. He made a slight mistake about the house he wants to sell. It was he who wished one to purchase it, asking \u00a3400, and Jenkins said the house only let at \u00a314 per annum and had no conveniences. I think he must have been thinking of the Union Street house when he spoke to you. You know we gave \u00a3420 for this, and it is let for \u00a322. It was a pity we had not known before that he wished to sell, as it would have suited Jemmy. However, it is of no consequence now.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1128\" data-end=\"1873\">I am sorry you have had such unpleasant weather and so many colds. We have had very fine weather here until this morning, when it began to snow, and it now looks as if it means to continue all day. There is plenty of snow on the ground, and if the wind changes to the east we shall have it thick enough. The boys will enjoy it; they are both very fond of snow and skating. I have been so very busy lately that I have not had time to write many letters, but I am going to try to get through my arrears this week. We were glad to hear that Mr Williamson was much better, and that you were all well. We are all pretty well here except for the children\u2019s colds. I must now bring this long letter to a close with love from all to yourself and Mr F.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1875\" data-end=\"1926\">Believe me,<br data-start=\"1886\" data-end=\"1889\" \/>Your affectionate cousin,<br data-start=\"1914\" data-end=\"1917\" \/><strong data-start=\"1917\" data-end=\"1926\">A. H.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1933\" data-end=\"2327\">Forty-five pounds were saved after paying all expenses. Speed the \u201cGirl\u201d (?), oh my ever steady \u2014 but thank God I feel quite released now, and though they gave no reason I felt sure we should; from news a renewed scare never coming on me \u2014 indeed a happy one only that I\u2019ll not leave you any less kind letter to your own home. My dearest love and best regards. I knock off feeling ever yours,<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2329\" data-end=\"2335\"><strong data-start=\"2329\" data-end=\"2335\">A.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2342\" data-end=\"2374\"><em data-start=\"2346\" data-end=\"2372\">Cross-written Postscript<\/em><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2376\" data-end=\"3163\">The party and I think of you often and hope that your dear old father is now quite well again. The magistrate\u2019s trial should, I think, soon be done, as there is not much more evidence to come, though they talk as if much must still be produced before all is cleared up. We are all anxious for the result and trust it may prove favourable. There has been so much talk and writing about it that one scarcely knows what to believe, yet I cannot think it so very bad as they would have us fear. I wish you could be here to hear all that is said; everyone is talking, and some so foolishly that it makes one weary to listen. I am thankful you keep up your spirits and trust in Providence for the right issue. I long for the time when we can all meet again and speak of these things quietly.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3165\" data-end=\"3230\">Farewell now, dear friend, with truest affection ever your own,<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3232\" data-end=\"3238\"><strong data-start=\"3232\" data-end=\"3238\">A.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3245\" data-end=\"3272\"><em data-start=\"3249\" data-end=\"3270\">Outer Address Panel<\/em><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3274\" data-end=\"3323\"><strong data-start=\"3274\" data-end=\"3295\">Messrs Ewin &amp; Co.<\/strong><br data-start=\"3295\" data-end=\"3298\" \/><strong data-start=\"3298\" data-end=\"3312\">Solicitors<\/strong><br data-start=\"3312\" data-end=\"3315\" \/><strong data-start=\"3315\" data-end=\"3323\">Leek<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3325\" data-end=\"3397\"><em data-start=\"3325\" data-end=\"3347\">(upper corner note:)<\/em><br data-start=\"3347\" data-end=\"3350\" \/><strong data-start=\"3350\" data-end=\"3397\">G. H. Fothergill Esq. \u2014 H. from Cumberland.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3399\" data-end=\"3437\"><em data-start=\"3399\" data-end=\"3437\">(two red wax seals, one partly torn)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif;\">Historical &amp; Research Notes<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh03.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-8070\" src=\"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh03.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"299\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh03.jpg 1332w, https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh03-180x300.jpg 180w, https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh03-613x1024.jpg 613w, https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh03-768x1283.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh03-920x1536.jpg 920w, https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh03-1226x2048.jpg 1226w, https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh03-570x952.jpg 570w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 299px) 100vw, 299px\" \/><\/a>Date:<\/strong> Heading gives <em>\u201cHall Hills, Jan\u00a015th\u201d<\/em>; physical and contextual evidence (cross-writing, paper type, absence of postage stamp, reference to <em>Ewin\u00a0&amp;\u00a0Co.<\/em> and <em>G.\u00a0H.\u00a0Fothergill<\/em>) places the letter c.\u00a0<strong>1846<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Writer:<\/strong> The signature \u201cA.\u00a0H.\u201d likely represents <em>Ann Hall<\/em> or <em>Ann\u00a0H.\u00a0Fothergill<\/em>, resident of Hall Hills near Dalston, Cumberland. The household appears in tithe and census records of the 1840s\u20131850s.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Recipient:<\/strong> \u201cFanny,\u201d addressed through Messrs\u00a0Ewin\u00a0&amp;\u00a0Co., Solicitors, Leek, is almost certainly <em>Frances\u00a0Fothergill<\/em>, wife or cousin of <em>George\u00a0Henry\u00a0Fothergill<\/em> (1802\u20131867), solicitor of Leek and later J.P. for Cumberland.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Social Context:<\/strong><br \/>\nCross-writing was an economical practice before envelopes became common, allowing two layers of text on a single sheet. The letter reveals domestic literacy, social respectability, and female authorship within a provincial middle-class network. Discussion of rent (\u00a322 p.a.) and sale value (\u00a3400\u2013\u00a3420) reflects mid-Victorian property economics.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Local References:<\/strong><br \/>\nHall Hills was a known farmstead south of Dalston. The mention of snow, skating, and \u201cthe boys\u201d situates the family in northern winter life. The postscript\u2019s \u201cmagistrate\u2019s trial\u201d probably refers to proceedings at Carlisle Assizes early in 1846, which dominated Cumberland newspapers that season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Postal Evidence:<\/strong><br \/>\nThe folded outer sheet bears two wax-seal marks and is addressed:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cMessrs\u00a0Ewin\u00a0&amp;\u00a0Co., Solicitors, Leek.\u201d<\/em><br \/>\nIn the corner: <em>\u201cG.\u00a0H.\u00a0Fothergill\u00a0Esq., H. from Cumberland.\u201d<\/em><br \/>\nThis implies private carriage or pre-stamp posting rather than use of a Penny Post envelope.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh04-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-8071\" src=\"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh04-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"301\" height=\"245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh04-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh04-300x244.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh04-1024x833.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh04-768x625.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hh04-1536x1249.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 301px) 100vw, 301px\" \/><\/a>Identified Persons Appendix<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>A.\u00a0H.<\/strong> \u2013 Writer; probably Ann Hall or Ann\u00a0H.\u00a0Fothergill of Hall Hills, Dalston, Cumberland.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fanny<\/strong> \u2013 Frances\u00a0Fothergill, recipient and cousin; resident near Leek, Staffordshire.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mr\u00a0F.<\/strong> \u2013 George\u00a0Henry\u00a0Fothergill, Esq. (1802\u20131867), solicitor of Leek; likely the husband of Fanny.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Messrs\u00a0Ewin\u00a0&amp;\u00a0Co.<\/strong> \u2013 Solicitors recorded in Pigot\u2019s 1842 Directory (Leek).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jenkins<\/strong> \u2013 Estate agent or valuer mentioned in discussion of rental property.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jemmy<\/strong> \u2013 Younger relative; potential property purchaser.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mr\u00a0Williamson<\/strong> \u2013 Family friend; recovering from illness.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The\u00a0Boys<\/strong> \u2013 Writer\u2019s sons; \u201cfond of snow and skating.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>G.\u00a0H.\u00a0Fothergill\u00a0Esq.<\/strong> \u2013 Named on outer panel; solicitor and probable recipient.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Identifications drawn from internal textual evidence, Cumberland &amp; Staffordshire directories, and handwriting comparison.<br \/>\nWhere uncertain, names are given as probable.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n<h2>Editorial Commentary<\/h2>\n<p>This letter stands as a small but eloquent artefact of mid-Victorian domestic life.<br \/>\nA.\u00a0H.\u2019s tone combines modesty, businesslike detail, and affectionate warmth.<br \/>\nThe inclusion of financial figures beside concern for weather and health illustrates the intertwined spheres of home management and estate responsibility among educated provincial women.<\/p>\n<p>The cross-written postscript adds emotional depth \u2014 a voice layered literally upon itself, reflecting both economy and intensity.<br \/>\nHer trust in Providence and patience for \u201cthe right issue\u201d speak to a moral framework characteristic of the 1840s: faith, restraint, and duty.<br \/>\nIn material form and sentiment alike, the Hall Hills letter captures a moment when correspondence was an art of presence across distance \u2014 an enduring bridge between Cumberland snow and Staffordshire hearth.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Compiled and annotated by Ian\u00a0Waugh.<\/strong><br \/>\n\u00a9\u00a02025\u00a0Old\u00a0British\u00a0News \/ OldDays.co.uk \u2013 All rights reserved.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Cross-Written Victorian Correspondence (c.\u00a01846) Summary: A three-page letter written from Hall Hills, near Dalston in Cumberland, to the Fothergill family at Leek, Staffordshire, around January\u00a01846. Authored by A.\u00a0H., a literate and observant woman, it reveals a vivid picture of mid-nineteenth-century domestic life \u2014 family news, property dealings, weather, and moral reflection \u2014 and concludes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8064","page","type-page","status-publish","czr-hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8064","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8064"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8064\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8082,"href":"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8064\/revisions\/8082"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ianwaugh.com\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8064"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}