Letter and envelope from George Edward Young, Clitheroe, Lancashire to Jane Young (nee Hackworth), Vilvorde, Belgium

Clitheroe, Lancashire
England
August 15 1852
My very dear Jenny,

During my visit to Shildon, I wrote you a short note from Soho and enclosed it with one from your sister. You cannot think how anxiously I have for some time been looking for a letter – bearing the writing of your dear hand. I remember however what you said in your last letter to me – that you are a ‘school girl’ – and had not your time at command. Your duties, I am aware are very numerous and your time is very precious.

You will forgive me, my dear girl, for again imposing on your attention. My object in writing you at present is to ask for your heart and hand, - and to assure you that it would be my greatest earthly bliss to call you mine. I am not quite sure whether I am taking you by surprise – whether you ever expected that I entertained a very serious attachment to you. I must tell you honestly, and regret I did not tell you long since, my dearest Jenny, that I love you exceedingly. – When you were a little playful girl I loved you. When I was engaged under your venerable and never to be forgotten father – and passed through various graduations from the boy in the office to his chief office man – I was wont to look on you with great admiration.
When I left the home of my childhood and the service of your revered parent and entered the Institution as a student and candidate for the Wesleyan Ministry – I could never strike off my thoughts of you. Since I have entered on the full work of the Ministry, your precious image has often haunted me. In many a hard journey and in many a cold and stormy night, I have thought of you. I have during the past five years been thrown into a great deal of agreeable society and have seen many ladies but I could never forget you. ‘Many a daughter have done virtuously but thou excellest them all’ says the sacred pen man.

I shall always love you, my darling girl. You are bound round my heart by closest ties. I have often pleased myself with the thought that some day you would be mine. As my knowledge of you had increased – so has my love to you. As I have perhaps told you before – never shall I forget my visit to Penrith in June 1851 – and especially my last look on you – when taking my departure.

You will perceive I have long thought of you and loved you. I need not tell you I have also gone to a “throne of grace” on this matter and the result is a serious, settled conviction that I should ask you to be the sharer of my joys and sorrows.

I ought to say that I have communicated with your dear & honoured Mother – and your precious sister at Penrith and have received an exceedingly kind letter from your Sister on the subject. She has favoured me in terms I shall never forget with her own cordial approval and has assured me of the favour of Mrs Hackworth. Perhaps I should say also that I have every reason to believe (for I have mentioned it to them) that my friends heartily approve of this matter.

I shall be most happy to be assured, my beloved girl, that my love for you is reciprocated – that you love me and would cheerfully cast in your fortunes with mine.

I know that you might have many opportunities of making what the world calls a “brilliant match”, and, much as I love you, would be sorry to stand in the way of your good fortune – and earthly comforts, but if you should allow me a place in your heart – and should make up your mind to forego the wealth and elegance of the world, in favour of the fortunes connected with the Ministry, I shall ever count it the greatest hour and happiness of my life – and shall pledge to you, my dear girl, my truest affection.

You will guess that I am exceedingly anxious to hear from you and shall be greatly obliged by your very early reply.
With best love, believe me to remain
My precious Jenny
Most affectionately yours.
Geo. E. Young.

Mddle Jennette Hackworth.