Jane Attwater Blatch, Bratton, to Philemon and Eliza Attwater, Nunton, 7 November [1824?].

My Beloved Nephew & Niece,

   I take ye first opportunity to inform you of the safe arrival of your very welcome favor Saturday afternoon accept my dear Friends our united thanks for this kind act of affection – you furnished Mr B. with more animal food than he has taken (I think) for ye past half year thro’ divine goodness I hope my good partner is better since ye warmer weather has commenced, – his cough is less troublesome & he can now walk out & enjoy the blooming beauties of reviving spring.  I trust a merciful providence – will soon restore our 2 beloved Friends & long preserve their invaluable Lives – It gives me much pleasure to find dear Maria is so well & I hope the 3 cousins injoy each others society at Bradford, & will soon come to Bratton for a change & afford us mutual delight in their company.—

   How are all your young folks?—suppose they are much grown since I saw them – dear Eliza was well last week.  She is a very pleasant Enlivener to her Friends may they be all as good as they are pleasing, & in due time rejoice the hearts of their kind parents & Friends by seeing them humble sincere Christians –

   We should rejoice to see you at our cot of content when inclination & conveniency permit.—

   Accept & make acceptable to your family circle our united Love & best wishes & believe me affectionately & gratefully

                     Yours J. Blatch

P.S. I doubt not but it will afford you pleasure to be assured your parcel was perfectly fresh & good. Twas most judiciously & delicately orderd.—you must have taken much pains to do it so it must not be lost on us.

Text: Timothy Whelan, ed. Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 8, pp. 193-94; Attwater Papers, acc. 76, II.A.10.(d.), Angus Library.  Address: Mrs Attwaters | Nunton | Wilts | May 7th | Obliged by | Mrs Whitaker.  No postmark. The ‘Maria’ in the letter is Philemon’s younger sister, Maria (1783-1840), who was at Bradford visiting her two cousins, Elizabeth Theodosia and Marianna Jane Head. Elizabeth is the ‘Eliza’ in the letter, whose health was deteriorating and who would die the following year.