Henry' letters

Several of Henry's letters survive, apparently found by my grandmother, Marie Cairns (nee Prossor) when she was clearing Henry's room in 1928.

She sent them to her half-sister Effie, in Utah, and they apparently came back to the UK with my parents when they visited Salt Lake City in 1976.

The first letters are those written to his second wife, Eva Worster, when they were courting in Southampton in the late 1860s and soon after his divorce, on the grounds of his cruelty, from Miriam Faulker.

Letter One

Tuesday Evening
My Darling Eve,
I can write you but a few lines for after I left you my brother in law made me go home to dine with them & it was as much as I could do to get away in time to send a line. I shall see you however without fail tomorrow & must make it up to you then. I hope you reached home safely. Mr. Phillips was very angry with you for crossing [probably from the Isle of Wight] so late & said you were a very silly girl. What a shame. Many, very many happy returns of the day to you. God bless & keep you to see many anniversaries of it. Fondest love & many kisses till tomorrow good bye.
Ever yours,
Harry

Letter Two

Roselands, Millbrook, Southampton
Xmas Day
My own darling,
I have passed a peaceful & contented if not happy day. I though it best not to come this afternoon as I should be most unwilling to damp Mr. Forder's enjoyment of the day, in any way. However they cannot I should think object to your going to church with me tonight & I shall wait for you at the corner the shop next your house at six. If I am a minute or two late forgive me, but I shall be sure to come. I sincerely trust you have enjoyed yourself today, all of you. I only want a sight of your bonnie face to make one happy. So come if you can. God bless you & with fondest love
Believe me Dearest
Ever yours
Harry