| Description | "I should have written to you before but did not like to as I was in the Union [Workhouse] laid up with the Rheumatism as I was compelled to go there, not being able to work, and therefore could not pay lodgings or procure food - I therefore knew no other place for a person in my position. I was there exactly 4 months, I have been out now since last Monday.
My motive now in writing is that I have got a place to go to on Wednesday at Edmonton that is likely to be a very good place though the pay is little .... so dear Mary if you can manage to find me such a thing as a couple of old shirts and a pair or two of old stockings and a hat ....I have only what I stand up in, having been obliged to part with what I had to support myself before I went to that place, but I found the treatment better than I anticipated - the allowance of food just being enough to keep life in you... I have only done one day's work since I came out... I shall go down to the docks the first thing in the morning but I do not expect to get work as they are not busy. I have had to borrow the penny to pay the post so you can guess I am not doing very well... I have only had one meal today...
Your unfortunate brother, John Baker". |