Abraham Booth, Chambers Street, London, to John Pye-Smith, Homerton, 21 December 1801.

A. Booth presents affectionate respects to Mr. Smith, & was very sorry to find that he was pre-engaged. Thanks him sincerely for his kind intention in proposing a Substitute: but A. Booth, having met with a Supply, whom he knows to be agreeable to his People, supersedes the necessity of Mr. Sloper’s friendly assistance, for the next Lord’s day. – Previously to receiving Mr. Smith’s Note of the 15th Inst., A. Booth had engaged assistance for one part of each Lord’s day in the next month, & hopes for ability to preach the other part of each day, himself. Should Prudence, however, order it otherwise, he will take the liberty [of] availing himself of Mr. Smith’s friendship, by requesting [his] assistance, after the first Lord’s day in Jany; &, if he [believes] them pre-engaged, will be exceedingly obliged by it.

Chambers Street,

21 Dec. 1801.

Address: Revd John P. Smith | Homerton | Paid / 2d

Postmark: 21 December 1801

Text: Gratz Collection, 250B, Box 32, Folder 74, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. The letter is torn on the bottom right, thus removing portions of words (hence the use of the square brackets). John Pye-Smith (1774-1851) was an Independent minister, one of the founders of Mill Hill School in 1807,  and theological tutot at Homerton Academy from 1805 to 1850. He was also, like Booth, a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery. He ministered to the Old Gravel Pit congregation in Hackney from 1811 to 1850.