A Word From Mrs. Medlyn

 19th June 

Good Afternoon Dear Friends,

Many of you know me, but for those of you whom I have not yet had the pleasure of your acquaintance, my name is Mrs. Susan Medlyn, sister to your good vicar, Mr. Thomas. When his beloved wife Mary died in childbirth, I came to keep house for my brother and raise his daughter. I am widowed recently and thought coming to Amberleigh with my three children would make a fresh start for us.

Young Mary does very well, she is a happy baby and all at the Rectory dote upon her. Tis hard to believe she is already six months old now and growing into a bonny little girl.

The reason for my addressing you today, is that my brother has charged me with organizing the annual church cleaning. After consulting the vicar and the curates, I believe Thursday next to be a good day to accomplish this very necessary cleaning of the church. As a thank you for your hard work, I shall provide luncheon for all who attend.

Ladies, I ask of you that you bring your rags and buckets, for windows must be wiped and floors scrubbed. There is the polishing of the carved woodwork as well as the polishing of the silver. I have engaged the help of our local char woman, Nancy Porter who shall be at the rectory with a few of you to help with laundering the church linens.

Gentleman, I would be most grateful for you help on this day also, there are pews to be moved and candles must be changed in the ceiling chandeliers, the chandeliers also cleaned and returned to their normal position. Mr. Clutterback informs me there are shrubs in the churchyard which are in need of a trim, as well as the low hanging tree limbs. The benches in the churchyard are in need of a scrubbing, and the porch must be cleared of cobwebs and detritus.

Older children would be most useful in fetching water from the public well, for our purposes. This is an essential task which will keep our cleaning efforts in motion throughout the morning.

I should like to begin the cleaning as early as 7:00 in the morning, and would be most grateful if you could spare an hour to two to help us keep the Lord’s house in good order. I thank you most appreciatively in advance.