Philip Doddridge, Northampton, to John Steffe, [Wrentham], 3 June 1734.

Revd Sir

         I inclose your Sons Bill. Mr Barker answers for 20th a year. We balance Accounts at Christmas & Midsummr & tis probably but little that will come to your Share. I have not Time to give you a Large Account of your Son he will tell you what he studies & I hope Sir you will see that he has not lost his Time. I have done what I could for his Service & I can assure you he has been very diligent & constantly sober obliging & on the whole very exemplary in his Behaviour. The Sentiments of Wisdom & Piety which it was your early Care to infuse into his Mind he seems so to have imbibed that I trust the Tincture of them will never wear out. Tis a great Pleasure to me to think that if God continues my Life he has five years more to spend with me[.] I hope his Education will then be so advanced that his Reverend & worthy Father will judge him fit for the great Work before him. He will witness for me that tis my great Labour to form my Pupils to Candour as well as seriousness & to promote a Tent about the great Things in wh we all agree rather than the little Matters in Debate amongst us. Tis my hearty prayer Revd Sir that the best of Blessings may always attend your Ministrations & that you may be as happy in every Relation & Circumstance of Life as I perswade my Self you will be in this Gentleman your Son.

                     I am

                                 Revd Sir

                                             Your very affecte tho unworthy Brother

                                                         & humble Servt

                                                                     P Doddridge

Northampton June 3. 1734

My Wifes Service joins wh mine to yr self & Lady & Family.

Address: none

Postmark: none

Notes: On the back of the letter the following was written at a later date:

  Addressed to the Revd Steffe | Mamma’s Grandmother’s Brother. –

Beneath in a different hand is the following in pencil:

  Presented by the Rev. F. J. Baldwin of Higher Cloughfold, Rossendale, at the suggestion of Dr. Ernest Payne (see         Correspondence)

Text: ENG. MSS. 369, no. 39(h), Raffles Collection, John Rylands Library, Manchester; noted in Nuttall, Calendar, p. 72.