Mary “Polly” Doddridge, Northampton, to Mercy Doddridge, Sr., London, 30 December 1751.  

Northpt Dec the 30: 1751

             That I think my self unspeakably oblig’d to my Dear Mamma for her Charming Epistle is most True but it gives me real consern that I am so incapable of Expressing that gratitude which Glows in my brest & says a thousen things for I have now words to Express, oh, Dear Madam how shall I thank you Enough for giving me the Joy to think my mu letter (too unworthy your notis) was agreeable to you, but how shall I express my mortification to hear that it must be more then a long dull week before I must so much as hope for the joy to see my ever Dear Mamma, just as your letter come I was injoying the pleasing thought that it would fix the time for my Dear Mammas return perhaps to Tuesdays Coach but at farthest to Fridays & on this suppossion was begining to count the Hours & I suppose had it not been Sabarthday my next business would have been to have calculate the minutes but the sight of you[r] letter that minute put an end to this agreeable revarce [reverse], full of the most pleasing Expatations I open’d my leter but gues you[r] Pollys Concern & disopointment when I read those sad words you must not Expect to see me till the week after next; Oh, Dear Madm you can’t immagin how Extreemly I was mortifi’d indeed you can’t but I cant help thinking I hear my Dear Mamma say but pray Miss Polly is this any reason why you must mortify me? by taking up my time which is of such importance with your trifling impertenances. Pardon me Dear Madm but when I am writing to you my Affection is apt to make me troublesome & impertinent.

  Permit me now to beg the Favour of my Dear Mamma to give my best & most affectinate Compliments to Dear Miss Ekins with my most Grattful thanks for her Charming letter & be so good as to Assure that Dear Lady that I think my self much more oblig’d by it then any words can Express but I must love my DrSisters more Expressive words to Assure Dear Miss Ekins how much we all think our selvs by that most Agreeable proof of her sensire sympathy & regard which she has been pleasd to give us by her obliging & Affectinate [presence] be dearer to our invaluable Mamma, I will only add that it has made those impressions of Graitude on my Heart which I hope will never be Ereasd,

  but Dear Celia tells me she shan’t have time to write if I don’t hasen to Conclud which I must do with my best wishes for the Health & Happiness of my Dearest Mamma & Dear Miss Ekins

             Adieu Dear Madam

non[e] is more senserly your obedient

& Dutiful Daughter then

Polly Doddridge

Tuesday Morning

11 o’Clock

Text: Crew MS 50, fol. 40, Wren Library, Trinity College, Cambridge.  A letter from Celia to her mother on the same day was attached to the above letter. The address page is included with Celia's letter.