Cover
Letter
Letter addressed to:
"To Mary Deal in Strawbery Alley in Philadelphia North America"
From: Joshiah Gibbins, Stourbridge, England
Transcribed by Duncan Rea Williams, December 2009
Stourbridge Sept 25, 1776 Dear Sister, I recived a letter from thy daughter dated 31th..10mo..1766 which was long time before I received it and came by way of Liverpool. Brother Brueton also received one from thee dated 6mo..20th..1766. thee metioned wrighting to me several times. I don't recolect that I have received any letter from thee since I sent thy Legacy, tho I have wrote to thee several times - and amongst other things wanted to know how the goods I sent thee for thy Legacy answered---and to know if thay amounted to as much in value in Philadelphia ---as if I had remitted thee a bill. Thee art desireous to know thee state of thy brothers, sisters and relations, which I am very glad of an opportunity to inform thee of. --- To begin with myself. --- live in the rye markelt in thee house I first settled in and carry on a manufacturury of silk and worsted stuffs & other goods. --- generally keep from 10 to 12 looms --- but trade has been very bad a long time. --- meterails being very dear and goods not advanced in proportion, so that a tradesman or manufacturer, tho he have a moderate copitall and industrous also --- has enough to do to make it answer.--- I have four children two sons and two daughtersJohn, Thomas, Ann & Elizabeth, all fine hearty children ---brother Thomas has buried his first wife, and is marryed again to Mary Winter --- he has one boy by her, a very fine child --- is name thomas, he carry on the malting trade and does pretty well. ---Brother Brueton has a benificial trade and gets money apace --- Edward Baldwin is dead and left the chief of his goods to his mother, and after her death to his sister (his brother being dead) thay amounted to about five hundred Pounds.. When his debts were pay'd Sister Palmer continues to wind silk & 6 for me and does very well --- The family and relations in generall are well and give their love to thee and thy daughter in which thay are joined by thy affectionate brother ---
Josiah Gibbins