Crosby Ravensworth

This letter sent to Mrs. Nancy Porter (nee Winskell) of Red Bluff, Wythe County, Virginia by her brother William Winskell in England.

Maulds Meaburn

February 10, 1881

Dear Sister,

I received your letter all right and was glad to hear from you and that you were well as this leaves us pretty midling at present. It is a great pity that the affairs belonging to our parents have not been settled long ago as they might have been and not to have been brought into the Law Courts as it is a great waste of money. I have seen the proposal by Mr. Holbrook to Messrs. Bleaymire & Shepherd and would only be too glad if we could come to some terms of Fair and reasonable agreement to have affairs settled as soon as conveniently can be done. I am quite tired of this long delay. I do not wish the land to be put up for sale but at the same time I should wish to have the amount of a reasonable valuation for it. Then their will be our late Brother John's share to divide with into 3 that is you my sister Margaret and Myself. But you will bear in mind there will be no interest on it. It has cost me a good deal of money and time as well looking after it. So you would hear by what Messrs. B & S that I never had it in my possession. I expect a letter from Messrs. B & Shepherd to me shortly for my approval before being sent out to Mr. Holbrook and then it shall be sent out as soon as possible and if all be well I shall write to you again.

From your ever loving Brother & Sister ___ __ Nanny Winskell Direct

William Winskell

Maulds Meaburn

Shap

Westmorland

P.S. By your letter I see Uncles William & John are Dead Aunt Nanny also so there is none of the Old Generation living. I suppose John (Hudson) had a numerous family of children Grand and Great Grand Children. Death has been taking a good few of old people in England this Winter. This winter so far has been the most severe ever remembered by the Oldest Inhabitant such severe front and Snow Storms many people having been lost in the snow and Frozen to death. Your old Master & Mrs. Smith have been dead some years there is only William left of the Boys. Margaret is living in London and married.

John Salkeld and Sarah Richardson that was are living in Meaburn on a nice little Income left them by her uncle Joseph Richardson. Reagill is almost New Peopled. One of John Bland Sons is living some few hundred miles from St. Lowe's as well as a daughter of Bettys that is married and gone out there.

good night till I write again.