Letters (27) from Thomas and Annie Painter variously in Harrogate, Brighton, London, Southport, Llandudno and Wrexham, to their niece Minnie [Kenrick] and to Wynn [Kenrick]

They are taking the waters at Harrogate and are glad to hear that Wynn [W.W. Kenrick] has a new appointment, and new arrangements regarding Wynn Hall. Minnie gives birth to another girl (Feb. 1867). Much about "the Colliery" and "Rawlins". Wynn goes to America (May 1870). Encloses cheque of £10 for May's schooling. Minnie's apparent preparation for joining Wynn in America (Sept 1871) - T P will meet her at Liverpool landing-stage and direct her to appropriate lodgings prior to sailing, at his own expense. Kitty (recovering from Grandmama's death) has been to see them, still very debilitated by the loss; an apparent discourtesy by "Mrs J J" [the second Mrs John James] at Plas Acton, who kept them waiting an hour when they visited her, before appearing (Nov. 1871). Snippets of news of comings and goings, family gossip, etc. "We have been joking about you and yours threatening that if the younger ones come back very yankified, we will declare they are not our relative but Titchbournites". A new organ at Gresford Church (Nov. 1871). The Wrexham Colliery is flooded (Dec. 1872) and the company is raising £40,000 for flood-prevention. Hopes the American depression in the coal and iron trades is not adversely affecting Wynn's contracts (Dec. 1873). John is dead [M's brother] and is buried at Gwersyllt. The Wrexham Colliery is having 3 million gallons of water per day pumped from it. (Dec. 1873); the company's capital now stands at about £200,000. Minnie is back in England (June 1875) and Wynn follows in December 1876, but they have both returned to America by December 1877. In the same year, the use of a pneumatic drill [at the Colliery?] is referred to, with record sales of 1 machine a day by the Rack Drill Co., following a public demonstration of the technique in London, duly reported by the Times; Thos. Painter has put a lot of money into the idea - "I firmly believe we have a valuable patent, worth a great deal more than it has cost us"; we hope "Wynn will obtain a good income from it and distance himself from his "hostile" brothers"; gives a homily on the proper conduct of a Joint Stock Company. In a letter of Feb. 1878 to Wynn, T P outlines the details involved in setting up such a company. By Dec. of the same year, Wynn is in financial straits and T P lends him £100. John James [1st Town Clerk of Wrexham] sat as Town Clerk for the last time on 10 November 1879. A mention of Hughie [Hubert] and his sea-going plans occurs in Jan. 1882. By 1884, T P's sight is failing, and his wife Annie largely takes over as sporadic correspondent; T P's eyesight is failing and she reads to him every day; dreads the consequent risk of her own eyes deteriorating. In March 1885, she hopes Minnie will take up residence at Wynn Hall. Great affection towards Minnie, is obvious in these letters.