Brantford Township, Ont.
January 16th, 1879
Rev. T. Baker


Dear Sir,

Your favor of yesterday, date I have just received and hasten to write a reply, but first I desire to apologize for neglect in acknowledging yours of the 6th Dec relative to obtaining some comfortable clothing for Willie, I then expected to write, as soon as such was obtained, but circumstances arose, which in connection with some very rough weather prevented Mrs. P. from getting to town just then, as this was deferred I thought to hear of Maud’s safe arrival in London & as I had ascertained but recently that you hoped to received a few lines form William we were having a practice for (I suppose his first letter, we have spent two evenings together for that purpose before we could frame & write one at all suitable, This I hope you will accept as the apology for so long a silence I have received no letter as yet from England written since Maud left us, but hope to soon. I regret very much to find that Willie does not like study, that he will not use any application on necessary things. I most certainly do find he has so much to unlearn, as you have previously expressed it, that any visible improvement in leary I cannot perceive. He seems willing to assist me, at any work, or in any manner in which horses can be used. His sole delight is to ride or drive. Now after your repeated Kindness and advice, I can but think both him and Lotte terribly self-willed, excuse me for at asking vexatious things but I almost think, they have had of late things too comfortable for their really good.

On Dec 23, Willie having stated that he expected a letter from Minnie, containing a R.R. Pass to take him to London, he obtained leave from his Aunt to go to Paris. He went to Mrs. Harbin’s and went with him to town, but did not return, and finding your letter containing a present he avoided leaving town, so that he should enjoy himself and visit his step Mother. He is so determined, on taking every opportunity of going there at the risk of offending any on all of his friends that advice is thrown away, Men he did return he had spent the Cash and forgotten to bring the letter I assure you Sir, as far as we are able we desire to assist you in endeavoring to help them on in life, but from on cause or another, we often fail in carrying out our plans, Christmas being very rough & having no hired help (though lots of work, and feeling poorly we did not as we had previously thought of doing, go out to church or elsewhere. We were unaware of Lotte’s leaving Mrs. Harts, now Mrs. P. states that she has some misgivings relative to taking her for any length of time. Like her Brother she is so unsettled and the idea of going to London so pervades the mind that we think she will never be content to do as we find necessary. Still as she must have some home, would it not be well for her to come to us and go to school with our children until her sisters can find some suitable parties who might desire some one. From my present position which is very far from satisfactory. I cannot get away. I have undertaken in endeavors to get this exhausted land in to a paying condition & fit to bring enough to keep a family on, But as I was aware that less than one half the required capital to manage with, was all I could raise when I began perhaps ought not to complain. The ideas of my stepfather relative to these matters are so much at variance with my own, that they are not worth discussing and all we can do is, to live as economically and work as hard as we can until matters change. My chief bar to obtain any material help from future prospects consists in the arrangement made by Mr. Funell & my Mother in locking up their means as tightly as possible for some future time without anticipation to any interested, whereas $1000 to my little family now I contend would be of more benefit than $2000 a few years hence, Hoping that you will not allow these every day trial, to annoy you & trusting both yourself and Mrs. Baker, as well as other kind friends with our best wishes are in usual health, I concluded & remain very Respectfully yours truly. J. Puckridge.

P.S. I have not the faculty of expressing all I wish in a few words.