Jane Attwater Blatch, Bratton, to Caroline Whitaker, Bratton, undated.

My beloved Sister

   This is the first day for many weeks that I have not been with ye sight of my valued Friend but knowing you had a superior attendant in your dear Daughter – I gave way to the calls of Self & took some medicine wch renderd it not so convenient to go out this stormy weather hope you will excuse it & be assured it is not for want of sincere affection to my 2 beloved relatives but from ye real cause of frequent avocations I think I heard you express a wish for a toothpick – forgive this clumsy attempt to produce one ’til you can procure a better. –

   I hope you & my dear Niece have comfortably enjoyd each others society this stormy day.  O my dear sister what tranquility of mind does it afford me that you are thus favd my heart rejoices I hope with Gratitude to our gracious preserver for thus far helping you & ye tender ardent wish arises long may you be spar’d as mutual blessings to each other as well as to yr ever affecte

Text: Timothy Whelan, ed. Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 8, pp. 186-87; Reeves Collection, Box 19/2/b, Bodleian Library, Oxford.