The Third Letter
In April William is about to go aboard the transport ship. Myra writes to him on English soil for the last time, dealing with the practicalities as well as the pain of parting:
My dear Husband -
I have this day sent off a box for you which I hope you will receive safely. I have sent you all that I possibly could and am only sorry that it is not in my power to send you more. As soon as I received your letter I took it to Elizabeth (the eldest of William Sykes' three sisters: the younger two and one of his brothers are mentioned here, too). She has sent you two of the smallest spice loaves, and gave me one shilling towards the expense. Then I went to Rebecca and she could not do anything towards it. Emma has sent the other spice" loaf and mince pie, Elizabeth the testament and tract, and John the other two books. The remainder I have sent myself I hope you will write back the very first opportunity to let me know if you have received it.
You write next send word whether a few postage stamps will be of any use to you. I walked to sheffield yesterday morning in the hope of getting a good shut-knife for you, but could not meet with any of them. If Saturday had been pay day I might have been able to get a trifle more for you. I called at John Cliffs, they sent their love to you and Mrs Cliffs sent an ounce of Tobacco. We also send our best love to you and the children all wish thet were going in the same ship as their Father. I have enclosed you a list of the articles in the box and M ...encloses a packet of needles with his respect. If you have the chance to earn any money in Australia you must save it all up and I will do the same, that if there is a chance of us rejoining you we may be able to do so.
Be sure to write and let me know if you have received the box for I shall not be easy in my mind until I hear from you again. Remaining with best love and wishes for your welfare.
Your affectionate wife - Myra Sykes.
List of articles in the box.
Three spice loaves -2 pound cheese 2 pound sugar -2 tea
Packet of spice -quire of paper
4 books -1/2 dozen pipes
Bottle of Tobacco -Parcel of Tobacco
Old favourite Tobacco pouch
Thread needles, buttons, etcetera
Three bottles of ink and pens
2 fig cakes -Apples, oranges and lemons
Bottle of pickles -one and a quarter pounds bacon, flannel shirt, 1 belt, 2 flannel comforters, 1 hankerchief pocket, 2 caps, 2 purses, 1 comb, 2 cotton shirts and looking glass, 4 needles and thread, 6 hanks.
Alfred sends his little pocket knife.
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