Mrs. James A. [Alfred] Baker¹

It appears from your letters that all afsistance² for your, Nellie's and the support of my late son's children has been derived from me; except "some second hand clothes "obtained from your brother in the States.["]³

That those so nearly related to me should have been drefsed in garments manufactured from cast clothes so acquired is to me very distasteful, especially after having contributed, in my estimation, a sum sufficient, if judiciously applied, for all necefsary purposes.

Further, your economy would not in future enable you to keep your expenditure within your income:--and lastly, that there is very painful discord between you and the elder branches of the family, and that it has unhappily extended to the younger, so that there is presumably spectacle of a house divided against itself.

John Puckridge Baker informed me you had said, "If you were clear of the children and had three or four boarders it would be better for you than they." I have no doubt but it would. And as I cannot wish you to sacrifice the interests of yourself and daughter for the advantage of my grandchildren, and am unable to remit the amount of pecuniary aid, you in a recent letter seemed to indicate, you would require, I have relieved you from the care of them. And that you may have time to make arrangements for the future without pecuniary embarrafsment, I enclose you a Cheque on the Bank of Hamilton for sixty dollars.

For the future you must depend on your own friends and management: I can only look to the juniors of my grandchildren.

Wishing you and Nellie the constant presence and blefsing of the Widow's God.

I am dear Mrs. Alfred

yours, with all due respect and esteem

Thomas Baker

¹ This is a draft of a letter sent to Mrs. J.A. Baker (Maria Mudge).

² Rev. Baker uses the now archaic "fs" for "ss," which we have retained in the transcription.

³ Maria (Mudge) Baker "inherited" seven stepchildren in 1876 after the death of her husband, James Alfred Baker. Her father-in-law, Rev. Thomas Baker, provided her with financial support as she was still caring for the most of the children. However, in 1878, her eldest stepchild, John P. Baker, reported to Rev. Baker a rumour that Maria was keeping gentlemen callers for undue lengths of time and, as a result, the Reverend removed the children from Maria's care. See W3155 for details.