Peter Jay to David Peloquin, 16 May 1762
[Rye,] 16 May 1762
I had the honour of writing to you the 12 Decemb: & 6 feb. last, and have since received your favours of the 31st Octob: & 17 Nov r together with the Magazines. 2 It gives us a very sensible pleasure that you and the my Cousins your Sisters were well, 3 and we wish you all a long continuance of perfect health.
in my last I acquainted you of my wife being on the recovery of a pretty severe indisposition, but this was soon after succeeded by another, She is now better again, tho– but in a lingering condition State, and wherein as well as in her long disabled Condition and great sufferings by the Rhumatism (which you kindly take notice of in y r . last) she always perseveres in a becoming submission to the Divine Will–a very long long Series of very affecting afflictions has, indeed, attended my Family, 4 but we are happy still in ^ and I pray ^ God ^ to continue to Us his ^ support undr these weighty Tryals, and we are also blessed with a firm persuasion ^ belief ^ that his Dispensations always tend to wise and good Ends.
My son James has long had an inclination to return to England, he says for two years only, and you will see him very unexpectedly the Bearer hereof. I wish he could have been satisfyed to continue his Practice here, wherein he had great Success, and which was not inconsiderable, however, as he thinks his going abroad will be an advantage to him I ought to submit to it, notwithstanding I am ^ shall be ^ thereby deprived of a very great comfort I had in him near me. 5
my Son John has now been two years at College, and ^ where he ^ prosecutes his Studyes to satisfaction, 6 he has a very happy capacity ^ is indued w th : very good natural parts ^ and is bent upon a learned Profession, I believe ^ it will be ^ the Law.–my youngest is Still w th . me, fitting him for his apprenticeship to a Merchant, which he is inclined to, 7 they both behave well and I shall be quite happy if I may live to see them also in a good way of doing well–you–ll be kind enough to excuse my open freedom abo t . my Boys, which indeed I–m indued to ^ proceeds ^ from a firm persuasion that you wish us very Well.
My poor Sister Vallete 8 has labour–d long und r an ill State of health, and according to appearance we can–t expect to see her long among us,–thus we are dropping off one after another, and God–s Will be done!
An Expedition ^ is ^ now on foot here, said to be intended ag st . St. Augustine, and is to be conducted by Gen l Amherst. 9 My Wife & Children join with me in Complim ts and our greatest regards to you & the rest of our dear Cousins. I am