Mary Egerton Scott, Chapel Street, London, to Anne Andrews, Isleworth, [Saturday], 13 September 1794.

   I have this moment received my dr Sister’s affectionate Letter, & I am sorry it is not in my Power to answer it in that manner which (as I suppose) would be most to her Satisfaction – Mr S. & myself purposed to visit you, but the Lord has seen good to frustrate our intentions – my knee, which was troublesome on Thursd: was so bad Sat. Night & Sunday that I was obliged to consult Mr Pearson, who, tho he did not declare decidedly that the complaint is of the same nature with that in my hand (but thought it might possibly be rheumatism) ordered rest, & the immediate application of a Blister – It is now easier, but not well enough to hazard walking more than in the house, or at farthest to Chapel Street besides which, I await the friendly advice of Mr P.  Dr friend you see the impracticability of my [visiting you].  Pray present our respects to Mr A as well < > for his kind invitation & tell him that since I am disabled from accepting it, I shall be still further obliged to him, if he will permit you, as soon as possible to come & solace a poor lame Pilgrim with your Society – Mr S. desires his love to you, & earnestly unites in this request; so that if nothing very particular intervene, we shall expect to see you in the course of the ensuing week – & hope to return your visit at some future Period –

   The Day we parted with you we had much difficulty in getting home – being obliged to walk to Kensington (which I believe was injurious to my Knee) & then to wait a considerable time at an acquaintance of Mrs G’s before we could secure a Coach –

   I should write more, were I not induced to leave off, by the pleasing hope of soon conversing with you in person – If you do not write immediately (& I < > this occasion be very sorry to hear from you) < > greet you in Chapel Street.  Please < > do not forget to pray for me – that the Lord will give me patience & resignation to his blessed will, & by his presence, abundantly compensate the little mortification arising from a temporary Confinement – while be assured that in return, unfeigned prayers for the < > of Blessings to be bestowed upon you are offered up by

                                 Yr sincerely affectionate friend & Sister

                                                         Mary Scott

Mrs W. will be also impatient for your Company – and Mrs Shoveller of whom I heard last night that she is now recovered & makes earnest enquiries after you –

Sat. Aft.   Sept. 13/1794

Chapel Street

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 77 (edited version); Reeves Collection, Box 14.8.(k.), Bodleian. Address: Miss Andrews | Isleworth | Middlesex.   Postmark:  illegible.

References above include Dr. Michael Pearson and the Baptist print-maker (later turned minister) John Shoveller; also Anne Andrews [Whitaker].