Samuel Davies, Hanover [Virginia], to Mercy Doddridge, Northampton, 28 April 1755.

Madm

               My endeared regard to the memory of the Dear Deceased (as you emphatically call him) & the affectionate friendship I contracted for you, in the few happy moments I spent in your Conversation, will  always render every friendly Office in my power most agreeable to me: And as you were so kind as to request a Letter from me, informing you of my safe Arrival in Virginia, I now remember my Promise, & most chearfully comply with it.

            Providence conducted me safe Home, thro’ the numerous Dangers of a tedious Winter Passage, on the 15 of last Feb. I had the inexpressible Satisfaction to find that my aged Parents, my tenderer & better Part, & the little growing Branches of myself, had been under the gracious Guardianship of Heaven, during my long & melancholy Absence. My Wife in particular, who notwithstanding the peculiar Tenderness & Affection of her Nature, had generously consented to my undertaking so important a mission for the public Good, was enabled to bear so severe a Trial, with surprizing Fortitude& Patience. And now, we are happy together in reviewing the various Blessings & Deliverances of Providence towards us – But I must not dwell long upon so tender a Subject, lest I should revive in your Mind such Images of the past scenes of your Life, as you will be hardly able to bear.

             I have often regretted, Madm, that I did not take a Copy of the significant Inscription on the Dr’s Monument in the Meeting House. I have now ^no^ other way to make up the loss, but to request you to favour me with a Copy of it; &, if you think proper, with an Account of the Author. I would always keep it as a valuable memorial of one of the dearest & best of Men.

             If ever my Heart breathes out an importunate Petition to Heaven, it is when I am commending you & your promising young Family to the Providence & Grace of your heavenly Father. I hope & pray, Madm, the supports of Christianity may always bear up your Spirit, under the Review of so uncommon a Bereavement; & that the surviving branches of so precious a Proof may flourish in Virtue & Piety, & spread a refreshing Shade over you, ’till you & they be transplanted into the Paradise of God. May your Maker be your Husband! & may the God of their Father be the God of your Seed!

             Pray present my most affectionate Compliments to Mr Doddridge [Philip Doddridge, Jr.] & the agreeable young Ladies, your Daughters. If the warmest Benevolence were not entirely impotent, you & they would often receive the Fruits of it.

             My dear Mrs Davies tenderly loves you, & sympathizes with you; & we often talk of you, ’till her Heart is ready to melt into Tears.

            My respectful Salutations to my worthy Friends Mr Gilbert & Mr Warburton, whom I shall always remember with Gratitude – 

                                     I am

                                                 Dr Madm

                                                             Your most affectionate humble Servt

                                                                         Saml Davies

Hanover

Apl 28. 1755

If you send a Letter for me to Mr Cruttenden of London, he can give it a safe Conveyance.

Address: none

Note on back page: Mr Davies  [answered] | June ye 20 1755 (in Mercy Doddridge’s hand)

Text: Ferdinand J. Dreer Autograph Collection, English Clergyman, American Clergy, Vol. II, Box 248, Folder 42, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Due to its date, the letter does not appear in Nuttall's Calendar (1979) or his Philip Doddridge: Additional Letters (2001).