Mary Ellwood a Liverpool Quaker and Tea Dealer writing in 1820

 

Mary Ellwood is a Quaker , hence the advice in the letter to “keep to the friends” and the use of “thou”. She is also a tea dealer in Liverpool now offering advice to a younger relative  about the conduct of business. She was probably born in Cumbria in the 1760s. Liverpool directories list her in Moss Street in 1825 and Copperas Hill in 1834, details located for me  by Rachel Rick

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Transcription, spellings preserved

Addressed to: Joseph Fallows  Care Thos Wilson    Draper    Kendal

Postmarked: Liverpool

Datelined: Liverpool  8 mr 1820

Dear Joseph

I could not get a Bill till this morning exactly to thy amount, without getting one drawn which I never dow, it is such additional expence, and although I am lending thee this, I am paying intrest for bouth to William Rathbone, and H.Neale, which I give 5 percent for, thou must date it from the time the bill becomes diue, but if thou wants to pay money thou must pay it as Cash …I sincearly  wish thou may suceed in thy undertaking, if thou is careful & attentive I hoep, thou need not fear, never be prevailed upon to neglect thy bussness, and remember a penny saved is a penny gained. I was always perticklarly careful in paper, & string, that takes good deal of Profit from the teas, to retail in small quantities, endeavour to be punctual in thy payments, & by no means follow the example of thy Master in drawing Bill, that will be thy ruin. I began with 24 pounds & till I came into this shop I never had more than 20 pounds borrowed money, I then sold Tea & fitted up my Shop – If thou keeps thy mind humble & endeavour to crave Providential care thou will dow well, I have no doubdt, he knows the desires of all hearts, & it is he alone that can bless or blast thy endevours, a vertious mind has always comfort, on reflecting when those that seeks  worldly plesures, is always disapointed, keep to the friends  & thou will be more esteemed than if thou deviates, this I can tell thee from expearience & I know those that is not strictly so is not esteemed by the rich & valiuable part of men -  -  -

Thy/ My Brother Ellwood is hear, but I have only seen him once, he has been three days & nights  from the Vessal, I know not what companey he has been, it can not be good, & S Taylor has been to day at the Vessal, I sent thy letter to him, nothing but the interpossion of kind Providence can turn his mind, all has been done that human aid can do … S Taylor seem very well and is pleased with Lpool – we drank Tea with Mary Wood on the first day she is dowing well in bussness and begains to look a little better her Childrnes is in better health – I know nothing of news amongst thy friends pertickler. S Taylor send her kind Love as dow my young woman hopes thou will dow wel accept mine & believe me

Thy affectionate Cousin

Mary Ellwood

 

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