Held in the East Sussex Record office is a letter written by my four-times great grandfather, John William Gibson Batcheler, to his wife and my four-times great grandmother, Elizabeth Batcheler (nee French).

Dated 4th Oct, 1831 at Cowes, the letter reads in part: “…so that I shall come home quite empty in purse but exceedingly full of love - you know not how much I want to see you. I new felt the pangs of absence from you … My time has passed miserably dull and melancholy - the days I numbered as they in succession came, and the hours I may add were not forgotten. But I hope soon to meet reward in the affections of my Dear Betsey_ “Then with everlasting love to you “I thus conclude this Billetdoux.”…….. I remain……. My Dear Betsey,…. your truly affectionate and faithful Husband……… John Batcheler”

John and his Betsey had been married for eight years when John, a Customs officer, wrote this letter. They had nearly 10 more years together - John died of apoplexy on 7 March, 1841.