Lovely, and oh that I could write loving Mrs. Margaret Clark, I pray you let Affection excuse Presumption.  Having been so happy as to enjoy the Sight of your sweet Countenance and comely Body, sometimes when I had occasion to buy Treacle or Liquorish Power at the apothecary’s shop, I am so enamoured with you, that I can no more keep close my flaming Desire to become your Servant.  And I am the more bold now to write to your sweet self, because I am now my own Man, and may match where I please; for my Father is taken away; and now I am come to my Living, which is ten yard Land, and a House; and there is never a Yard Land [3] in our Field but is as well worth ten Pound a Year, as a Thief’s worth a Halter; and all my Brothers and Sisters are provided for:  besides I have good Household Stuff, though I say it, both Brass and Pewter, Linnens and Woollens; and though my House be thatched, yet if you and I match, it shall go hard but I will have one half of it slated.  If you shall think well of this Motion, I will wait upon you as soon as my new Cloaths is made, and Hay-Harvest is in.  I could, though I say it, have good Matches in our Town; but my Mother (Gods Peace be with her) charged me upon her Death-Bed to marry a Gentlewoman, one who had been well trained up in Sowing and Cookery.  I do not think but that if you and I can agree to marry, and lay our Means together, I shall be made grand Jury-man e’er two or three Years come about, and that will be a great Credit to us.  If I could have got a Messenger for Sixpence, I would have sent one on Purpose, and some Trifle or other for a Token of my Love; but I hope there is nothing lost for that neither.  So hoping you will take this Letter in good Part, and answer it with what Care and Speed you can, I rest and remain, Yours, if my own, MR. GABRIEL BULLOCK, now my father is dead.

    Swepston, Leicestershire.

    When the Coal Carts come, I shall send oftener; and may come in one
    of them my self.

    For sir William to go to london at westminster, remember a
    parlement.

Sir William, i hope that you are well. i write to let you know that i am in troubel abbut a lady you nease; and I do desire that you will be my frend; for when i did com to see her at your hall, i was mighty Abuesed. i would fain a see you at topecliff, and thay would not let me go to you; but i desire that you will be our frends, for it is no dishonor neither for you nor she, for God did make us all. i wish that i might see you, for thay say that you are a good man:  and many doth wounder at it, but madam norton is abuesed and ceated two i beleive. i might a had many a lady, but i con have none but her with a good consons, for there is a God that know our harts, if you and madam norton will come to York, there i shill meet you if God be willing and if you pleased, so be not angterie till you know the trutes of things.

    George Nelon I give my to me lady, and to Mr. Aysenby, and to
    madam norton March, the 19th; 1706.