Abraham Booth, London, to Elizabeth (“Betsey”) and Mary Wightman, 26 February 180[2].

London, 26 Feb. 180[2]

My dear girls,

         I here send you a Part of your honoured Grandmothers Wearing Apparel, & a few of her Books; together with two Volumes for Betsey, which were at Mr. Stevenson’s. I have also sent each of you a Crown Piece, & a New Shilling, which your honoured Grandmother had laid up.

         If you should not happen to agree in dividing between you the several Articles, I would have your Honoured Father to settle the matter between you.

         And now, my dear Girls, be mindful of your souls. Be careful what company you keep &^ be constantly on your guard against being too free in your conversation with young Men, & against associating with bold & forward young Women, lest they be a snare to you, & lead you to ruin. Remember, dear Girls, that Modesty & Delicacy are an ornament to your sex & your age; & without them, you will sink in a disgrace among all sensible & virtuous persons.

         When you have received the Parc^e^l, be so kind as to send me a Letter. – Your Uncles & aunts unite in love to you, & in respects to your Father & Mother; to whom give my respects, & also to your Grandfather Wightman. – the Lord be with you! I am,

                                 dear Girls,

                                             &c. A. Booth.

Address: Betsey & Mary Wightman

Postmark: none

Text: Isaac Mann Collection, Beinecke Library, Yale University, OSB MSS 46, Box 1, folder 7. The last digit of the date has been smudged and only a faint outline can be seen. The Beinecke Library has dated the letter on the folder as 1803. However, given the date of the grandmother's burial (January 1802), a more accurate reading of the digit would be a "2." My thanks to Joshua Tingler for his information on the burial date and suggestion about correcting the date of the above letter.