| Sender Location | 10 South Street, Park Lane [London] |
| Administrative History | - Jane Allison, born about 1840, living in Holloway
- Hannah Allen, born about 1808, and sister Ann Allen, born about 1824, living in Lea Road and later Haslam Lane, Holloway
- Elizabeth Henstock, born about 1805, living in Lea in 1871 and Bonsall in 1881
- Elizabeth Holmes, born about 1858, living at Commonside, Holloway
Sources: Civil registration indexes, 1871 and 1881 census |
| Transcript or Index | March 6/79
My dear Sir
I am extremely obliged to you for your kind letter; containing news of so many in whom I am so much interested & to whom you are so good.
For Jane Allison's recovery, even tho' only temporary I am truly grateful to you & to God. That is a case one has unmitigated satisfaction in helping. Thro' no fault of her own (that I have ever heard of) she is subject to "special infirmity." And "special infirmity: physical or mental." I think one
C.B.N. Dunn Esq.
mismanaging Mother & not very truthful. Are "spiritualists" people who believe in those disgraceful "napping" impostures? I did not know this mean & incredible superstition had reached Holloway: but if it has, am not surprised that the Henstocks are of it. She is a person whom I am too glad to help 1st to your valued medical advice: also going to [crosssed through] convalescence at the sea, & to a Sewing Machine: to enable her to help herself. But giving little doles to her & to others is a thing which has much troubled my conscience & which I have often wished to consult you about. I fear I have made some beggars at Holloway, while may help without danger of pauperizing
But on these & similar points I have often wished to consult you.
Miss Allen again is a case I commend to you. & do most sincerely thank you for doing her good. They are two sisters doing their best to keep their home together (notwithstanding infirmity & defective sight) for each other by needlework whilst they can. They are the very reverse of paupers & they are educated much above the average & have higher tastes than mere drinking & eating.
Mrs Henstock is an industrious woman, an active but conscientiously desirous to avoid it.
Lizzie Holmes I am so thankful to hear is better. There is no danger of making the Holmes' beggars. they not only do not beg, they give.
Besides, I always feel I owe Lizzie Holmes something, for I am afraid I only made her worse by that abominable place Buxton, did I not?
Restoration to health is a thing, I hope, one may never feel afraid of being made into a pauperizing agent. 14/3 Note I should say, with regard to the "spiritualists" that I have enquired, & find that they hold forth, in the name of a "deceased Doctor," against intemperance!! They might do worse. |