Thomas Baker, 15 John Street, Portwood, Stockport, Cheshire, to [Joseph Angus], Baptist Mission House, 6 Fen Court, Fenchurch Street, London, 6 September 1842.

September 6th 1842

No 15 John Street in Portwood

in the Borough of Stockport

Reverend Gentlemen

   Whereas, I Thomas Baker have been anxious of writing to you ever since the 20th September 1840, the day on which I obtained Directions by the Rev. Mr Baker of Zion Chapel, Greek Street, in Stockport, Cheshire—I Thomas Baker am a Native of Derby, and I have been house-keeper in Stockport ever since September 1789—I think in the year 1812 I heard of the Rev William Ward having sent for my Sister’s eldest son Nathaniel Ward to go to Serampore Mission House 9 Miles from Calcutta East India; I believe that Nathaniel Ward went to Serampore Mission House, East Indies.

   I believe that I have Read in a printed book, that the “Rev William Ward died in the East Indies in the 54th year of his age,[”] perhaps in the year 1823.

   I think that in the Year 1834 I Thomas Baker was with my Sister M. Ward, then at No 17 Saint Hellen Street Derby; I do not recollect hearing any thing of Nathaniel Ward in 1834—

   Within the time of the last 29 years I have heard of Nathaniel Ward Translating the New Testament into the Malay-language in East Indies, and also formed a new dictionary in Malay Language.

   Reverend gentlemen . . . I do not want to ask such a question of you as would require the work of your pen to Ramble through the East Indies or other places to find an answer for me, but, my present question to you, will admit of an immediate answer  videlicet

   I wish you to transmit by the Regular post a plain written letter in plain language, as full an account in writing of all that you know of the latest on Account or accounts both oral and written of and concerning my Nephew Nathaniel Ward what part of the world Nathaniel Ward was in, and is in, what, doing with his hands, pen, tongue and apparent tenor of actions and business in present life now is

   If I have omitted anything herein which is necessary for an immediate answer to me, I shall expect you to fill up the [sentence not finished]

         I am Your Humble Servant

the Author of Poems on Queen Victoria, viz Metropolitian [sic] Glory, and Epithalamium. Printed Copies thereof entered into London on Monday 10th Feb 1840 and forwarded into “Stationers’ Hall” London. I have made a present of one printed Copy to Rev. C. K. Prescot, Rector.  One to Rev. T. Nolan, of Saint Peter’s Church. One to Rev Mr Jackson of St Thomas’s Church, and one to the Rev Mr Baker, Minister at Zion Chapel, Greek St Stockport  one printed copy to Samuel Andrew Esq Stockport—one copy to No 17 Saint Hellen Street Derby one printed copy to Ms Baker Silk-Throwster Derby—one printed Copy to Rev Mr Howell Curate, one copy to Rev Mr N. K. Pugsley Minister at Hanover Chapel—one to Jesse Howard Esq and 2 to Officers of Police Stockport several printed copies—To Watch Committee Captain one copy &c &c To Wm Baker Esq Mayor one—To superintender of Police one Copy

Direct to Thomas Baker—15 John Street

Portwood, in the Borough of Stockport Cheshire

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. 245-47 (annotated version); also MAW, Box 39 (BMS 1286), John Rylands University Library of Manchester. Thomas Baker was the uncle of BMS missionary Nathaniel Ward; he was a schoolmaster in John Street, Portwood, near Manchester. Charles Baker was  minister at Zion Chapel, Stockport, 1837-1845. Others mentioned above include Rev. Charles Kenrick Prescot, Parsonage, Churchgate; Rev. Thomas Nolan, Edgley; Rev. William Jackson, Lancashire Hill, Heaton Norris; and Rev. Edward Howell, Townend House, Lancashire Hill, Heaton Norris.