The following letter, received at Prospect in 1789, tells of a more
cheerful spirit in business in England, but shows that they had floods
and troubles of that kind then as now:

"HELM HOUSE BILSDALE, Augt. ye 15th, 1789.
"DEAR COUSINS,--
"I received two letters from you in the course of the last year, and am
exceeding glad to hear from you and that you do well and are well, and
tho I have long delayed writing yet it is not want of respect, but it
was long before I could have any certain inteligence from Mr. Swinburn,
So I now take the oppertunity to let you know how I and my Sisters are
situate. I married Helling the daughter of Richard Barr, by whom I have
had 3 boys and 2 girls all liveing and healthfull. Aylsy is married to
John the son of James Boyes and lives at Woolhousecroft, has no
children. Sally is married to John Cossins and lives at Hawnby where
Robt. Barker lived. She has 3 children the two last were twins they
were born about Candlemas last and one of them is a very weakly child,
my mother is married to old Rich'd Barr my wife's father and lives at
Huntington nigh York. I think we most of us live pretty well. Mr. -----
has advanced his land a great deal but since the peace the times are
pretty good we have this summer a very plentiful crop and we have a
fine season for Reaping the same, but in the beginning of haytime we
had an excessive flood as almost ever was known so that much hay was
swept away and much more sanded. Many bridges were washed down and in
some places much chattle drowned. My cousin John Garbut is married to
James Boyes' widow and lives at Helm house. So I shall conclude with my
and my wife's duty to my unkle and aunt and our kind love to you and
your wife and children and subscribe ourselves your very affectionate
cousins,
"JOHN AND HELLING TRUEMAN."