That this letter, wrote in pencil, is still (mostly) legible and is still in one piece (although fragile!) is a true wonder. And I now proudly and cautiously have the original. Which I have scanned to keep a digital copy and wrote out most of what it says.
From what I understand, where Phyllis writes about making 'collections', Her husband John Cutty who was away ran some sort of solicitors/insurance business which Phyllis continued while he was away - and she writes most diligently about the up-keep of the business.
Anyway, I have scanned them (4 pages in all) here they are:
(See below for the translations - some words are unclear so apologies for the '?'s)
The letter reads:
Thursday
October 2nd
22
Hawthorn Crescent
Quarrington
Hill
Ferryhill
Co.Durham
My Dearest
Boy,
I received
your letter this morning and read it while going up to Wheatley Hill
to pa in with my collection of £19.18.9 what do you think of it. I
saw Paddy this morning that is only the third time I have seen him
since you went away. I have never been in his private room yet, Aaron
says I had better keep out of his private room or else he will write
and tell you.
You know
what he is ? ? I must say he has ? Himself a real ? These last weeks.
He comes down when there is a warning to see if we are alright but as
you know I am not scared I put my trust in god.
Mr
Hawbridge at Cassop has been discharged from the army with pains in
his arms he says when you get discharged you get a months army
allowance that is to say I get 38/- a week from the army I would
still get it for a month, also your money, you also get £2.3.0
clothes money isse and ration coupons for a month the ? they give you
a month to get a job. Mr Hawbridge was telling me all this this
morning do I humour it as true.
As you
thought Jacky did not look very well. Well he is full of cold. He had
a little sty on his eye on Sunday night when he came back from Barnard
Castle. I bathed it and put some eye ointment on and on Monday it was
a lot better. When he was playing on the green in front of our house
on monday night a boy twice his age hit him right on it, it was
swollen 3 times the size. He has had a (Lovely?) eye since, but I am
glad to say it seems a lot better this morning.
You need
not think I am (ill?) or anything it is the truth I am telling you.
When you look at my collection this week you will see that I got back
in the house by 6:30 every friday night. I had to go to Mr Jones at ?
Hall on tuesday so I just walked on over the bank top past Quarrington
Hill church I had finished all my collecting for the week by 3:30
Tuesday. I still got ? Slightly but nothing to talk about. Connie
thinks she has never seen me look so fat in the face as I am now but
my body is certainly slimmer that is with walking so much.
I will be
very disappointed if you dont keep me a photo I dont care if its bad
please keep me one Jack.
Our Jacky
says his daddy looks better than anybody he has seen. He could eat
his dinner on sunday when he knew he was going to see you. I was glad
when they got back which was in the 10 past 9 bus because your Auntie
Bella was staying with me and she was talking away to herself nearly
all the time it made me feel quite (nervy?) it is a pity poor soul. I
paid Mrs ? £3.6.0 in his claim. I had to keep 2/6 out to make the
years premiums and she gave me 2/- and said I had to buy you
something with it. A bit different to Mrs Coalies at Bowburn when I
paid £30.1.6 and she never even thanked me. I am sending you these
cigs and blades for hear you might want them, if the verdict is what
I hope you can always bring them back. The 5/8half you left in your
black waist coat is waiting for you when you come home. God bless
you and send you soon home to me.
P.S.
I have had
3 periods in 6 weeks. I dont know what to make of it, it is perhaps
with having ? ? so bad. I am eating alright and sleeping so that is
something. Please dont forget about the photo, you know you laughed
at the one of me and edward. Please let me know about the verdict as
soon as even you get to know.
Your
loving wife Phyllis
? ? Marina
is asking me to let her write her name so here it is
((Marina
to daddy))
(( xxx xxx
))
(( xx
))
