Joseph Mottershead, Manchester, to Mercy Doddridge, Northampton, 4 March 1756.

Manchester March 4th 1756

Madam

         Your’s of feby 18 is before me – With this I send the three Rects demanded for Mrs Thompsons three youngest Children, only one is a little vary’d & signed by herself for the Use of her Son Thomas, because He is lately put apprentice & is on the Seas, but alas so straitned is She that the Fee is not yet paid, her Rect She hopes will be accepted, & the Money will enable her to discharge ye Debt. If her Rect will not be accepted in this Case, pray let me know soon by Post that I may not use the thirty pound Bill You was so good to send me – Mrs Thompson is full of admiration of divine Goodness first, & then of the Mercy of good Lady Jekyll & also your Kindnes[s], that She is to receive so great & seasonable a Supply to the indigent widow & Fatherless Children, for they have nothing at all but what they get with their own Work,  which often proves but a scanty Provision – Please to make also my humble Service & most thankful Acknowledgments acceptable to the charitable Lady Jekyll, whose prudent & compassionate ^Acts^ in this & all other good works I doubt not will receive from the Father of Mercies a glorious Recompence in a coming World – I am Madam

                     Your obliged humble Servt

                                             J. Mottershead:

Address: To | Mrs Doddridge

Postmark: none

Notes: (in Mercy’s hand) March ye 4 1756

Text: ENG. MSS. 370, no. 89, Raffles Collection, John Rylands Library, Manchester.