Transcript of letter dated 21st October 1841, from Marianne Rawes of Burnfoot, Netherton, Southside, Bromley, Kent, to Mrs Jane Hodgson's wife of the Rev Hodgson, Vicarage, Hartburn, Morpeth, Northumberland. (The original is contained in a bundle of letters held by the Northumberland Record Office - SANT/BEQ/18/11/1/363.). (Bromley Line to Hodgson Line)

[Page 1:] My dear Mrs Hodgson,       Mrs Palmer has requested me to inform you of the melancholy and sad intelligence of the death of Mr R B Rawes, the distressing event took place this morning at half past ten. I was in the room when he breathed his last and after struggling for a while he went off with a smile on his countenance he has suffered for these last three weeks [Page 2:] and it has at last terminated with water on the Chest. I am sure Mr Hodgson and you all will deeply sympathise with the family on this occasion poor Miss Rawes & Wm Thompson are in a very helpless state Mrs Palmer has attended him constantly and bears it with wonderful strength of mind. I was thankful to hear from Mrs Palmer by a letter she had received from Mr Hodgson [Page 3:] that he was stronger. I should wish much me dear Mrs Hodgson to hear from you, as rest assured my affection for you all is not in any way lessoned. Will you give my affectionate love to all hoping you will excuse this hurried scrawl, as we are much cast down and in confusion. Believe me to remain yours sincerely attached Marianne Rawes Bromley Octr 21st (Addressed to Mrs Hodgson, Vicarage, Hartburn, Morpeth, Northumberland). Notes:- Marianne Rawes was born in 1812, the daughter of John Rawes, schoolteacher in Stamfordham, Northumberland, second cousin of R B Rawes. She married James Oliver in 1847. R B Rawes = Robert Booth Rawes of the Bromley Academy. Miss Rawes = Miss Mary Rawes, sister of the above R B Rawes. Wm Thompson = William Thompson Rawes, brother of the above R B Rawes. Mrs Palmer = Elizabeth Palmer, sister of the above R B Rawes. Copied by Julian Rawes of Harvington, 2019.