I found this letter when I was going through some of the papers that belonged to Edward Parley Pulley.
Here it is along with a typed transcript.
Ellesmere Port
Sept 6/75 [1875]
My dear son and daughter
I now take the pleseur
of writing these few lines to you
hoping this will find you all
well as this leaves me well
at present thank god for it
I know you will think it
strange that I have not wrote
before now but I have been
so busy with one thing and
another I have had my garden
to attend too and I have been
to weston to bury John Oldford
old William Nicolds went
[page 2]
out on the 2 of last Feb
to go to Chapel and he [h]as
never been seen or heard of
since we all think he must
of got in the river and wash
out with the tide you
sent about your Family
[Words crossed out] you know I
dont know anything about
them only as your father
was brought up with Nicoldes
you spoke about George
I have not heard from him
for a long time I put of
writing to you longer thinking
(click on letter to see bigger image)
[page 3]
I should hear from him but I have not
heard yet we have had a flower show
at the port I won 2 prises for appels
1 prise for table appels 2 prise for baking
appels I have no more news to send you
all the old poeple is going home fast
Thay say there is going to be a new dock out
at the port dear M A [Mary Ann] when you write send
me all the news about the children bless
them I dont expect to ever see them
(click on letter to see bigger image)
[page 4]
or you eather any more when you write
send me some word about smiths
I have nothing more to say at present
my dear children only to send my best
love to you all hoping to hear from
you soon.
And beleve me to ramane your affactive
Mother Sarah Owen