Mary (Polly) Doddridge, [Northampton], to Mercy Doddridge, Jr., [probably still at Worcester], early in 1750.  

  I bleive my Dear Sister thinks it very long sense she heard from me inded I can’t tell how it came about I did intend to have sent you the whole history of [H]adden when I was thare but I forgot to take with me pens & papper tho I believe I might have been supplid with those materials but nothing either remarkable or entertainen hapend except that thair are no chickens thare this year to make amands for that Defeshency I shall send you an account of your Domestick affairs at home I shall begin with your Bird who not have^i^ng ^been supplied^ with what was necesery for his subsistence or being so greivd for the absence of his good Mrs was not able to support under it & made his excite [exit] the same night you left us as for your pidgens I hope to give you a better account of them thay are all [in] good health & spirits & send their Sirvice to & will be very glad to see you again except one which I think you used to call beauty met with an untimely Death but by what unhappy accident I know not I bleive I forgot to tell you I have got a tame Rabbit which I believe teel we have the pleasure to see you & Dr Miss Ekins I hope will afford you some entertainment as he is extreamly unluckey he sends his best services to you [G]reaty is well & send[s] her service to you [P]unch has been very ill but is finelly recoverd black Cloey is well thay all Join in service to you I think you have made great [progress] with your Stool I beg the favour of you to accept of a lace I would not have scent you so very trifelen a present but the largeness of my Domestick family makes me very poor. I suppose my Dr Mamma has informd you that my Dr Pappa is well so I shall say nothing on the subject my cousin1 sends her service to you & will write ye first opportunity I only add that I am my

                                                            Dear Sister

                                                                         Most Affectionate

                                                                                    Polly Doddridge

Pray my Dear Sister of a bit of ribbon which Celia sends you

Address: To my Dear Sister Mercy

Postmark: none                                                                                             

Note on Address page: Sister Polly 1749 [appears to be Mercy's hand (the daughter) and is from 1750]

Text: Crew MS 50, fol. 13, Wren Library, Trinity College, Cambridge. Mary Doddridge, Philip Doddridge's cousin, appears to be living with the Doddridges in Northampton by the date of the above letter.