M. Claypole, Hook-Norton, to Anna Jane Whitaker, Bratton, [Wednesday], 20 March 1811.

Hook-Norton   March 20 1811

My Dear Friend

   I fear you will think that I have quite forgotten you, as I have not answerd your kind letter before this time, but can assure you I have not. I quite thought of writing to you before my confinement, but for sometime was very poorly. We have another Boy, he was born the first of November, we call him Alfred, have great cause to be thankful, as since my confinement I dont know that I ever enjoyed my health better. I often think of the many pleasant hours I have spent at your house but as you observed in your letter what a mercy it will be as if all the Vicissitude and Trials we are called to witness in this changing world have but the tendency of weaning as more from it. But my dr Friend I often fear lest I have no satisfactory evidence that my treasure is in heaven because my heart is so little thrive, may the Lord wean my heart from this world. But you well wish to know how things are going on in the Church and have had five persons added to it, and hope ere long we shall have more  may they all be such as shall stand in that day when we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ when each must give account to God of the deeds done in the body whether they be good or bad.[2] We were very sorry to hear of the Death of dear Emma Whitaker we felt for you all knowing that it must be a very great trial but uncertain are our earthly comforts – and little did I think when you and I called on Mrs Price and saw Mrs M that her time was to be so short glad to hear that she was so comfortable in her last moments – and poor James Newman is gone  this is a dying world, you have had many deaths at Bratton and we are frequently hearing of the Death of one and another whom we once knew, may this remind us that we are mortal.

   Mr Claypole thinks of writing to Mr Whitaker soon, his hands are quite full he has fourteen Boys – and two young Ladys from twelve oclok till one. Mr Gray[3] has a school  saw him a few days ago they were well Mrs Gray has been lately confined they have four Boys  please to make our kind Respects to your dear Mother and Brother to Mr and Mrs Whitaker and love to the dear Children.  Respects to Mrs Head and Family.  Hope Mr Head is better.  Respects to Mr and Mrs Blatch [...] and all that may inquire after us some time. I please myself with the thought that some time I may see my friend Miss Whitaker again but if not may we meet in that world where there is no parting. Thank your dear mother for her kind invitation Hope Mr Edminson and the people are comfortable and may his labours be blessed unto them.  Mr Claypole joins me in kind Respects to all  Hope to hear from you soon

                                 and remain yours

                                             affectionately

                                                         M. Claypole

Wrote to Miss Gibson some time back but have not heard from her since

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. ?? (annotated version); also Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 307-08 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 180, A.6., Angus Library. Thomas Claypole was the former minister at Bratton, and apparently his wife, the correspondent above, maintained a friendship and correspondence with Anna Jane Whitaker for some time after their departure from Bratton in the fall of 1809. William Gray was the Baptist minister at Chipping Norton.