Josephine Butler to Rhoda Butler

Photocopy letter. Written from [Balham]

'Yes I know about Aimee's sorrow'

This was one daughter of Emily Georgina, youngest sister of Josephine Butler, and her 1st husband William de Pledge (married 1836). Aimee married Mr Chapman and the 'sorrow' is for the death of their little boy who was born c 1888.

Had a long chat with Rhoda's mother recently. Tells her that when she felt all the worst symptoms of one of her bad lungs attacks coming on she asked for Christ to heal her, and if that was not His will she would die quietly. She went to bed and fell asleep, and in the morning she awoke with all pain and weakness gone. But she dare not move out in this bitter weather, even to Switzerland where friends are begging her to come.

'your Mama' This was Emily (Josephine's sister) who in 1861 married as her 2nd husband Jasper Bolton and had 5 children, one of them Rhoda (b 1862) who married Stanley Butler.

Jasper Bolton died in 1871, and a few years later Emily married FW Thomas, and went to live in Gloucester.

'Jack and Ben' See note for letter dated 18 Oct 1894.

'Con' This is Constance Mary (b 1866), younger sister of Rhoda. She married Frank Hudson.