Eliza Gould at Sherford, Devonshire, to Benjamin Flower at Cambridge, Wednesday, 6 November 1799.

Sherford Novr 6th 1799

My dearest Ben:

   I had just taken my pen in hand to write you when my letter was called for by a person going to Kingsbridge on business whom I cannot detain whilst I fill this sheet.   I came hither yesterday behind my Father on Horseback and am much better than when I wrote last.  I find myself stronger—my spirits more cheerfull & my appetite considerably encreased. The good farmer & his friendly wife are “[illegible] proud” of my company & I find myself quite comfortable & entirely at my ease—Mrs Adams takes care to nurse me well & her good husband promises when the weather is fine to carry me out on Horseback every day on one of the “best double Horses in the county of Devon”—my sister Mary is with me & this circumstance contributes much to my comfort.  

   The morning has been tolerably fine.  I have (dressed in cloak & pattens) been taking a tolerably long walk—the air has refreshed & the walk not tired me.  I shall be anxious till I hear how you are—my mother has promised to send out my letters & to morrow I shall expect a long one.      

   Adieu my best my dearest friend—I anticipate with more pleasure than I can express that approaching period when I shall again converse with you & more strongly assure you that I am & shall ever be your faithful & affectionate

                                                           Eliza Gould

My sprightly sister Mary sends her Love—I replied “What your Love Mary”—she says “Yes sure—send my Love”—You remember the Devonshire Yes sure

Kind love to Miss Jennings

Text: Timothy Whelan, ed., Politics, Religion, and Romance: The Letters of Benjamin Flower and Eliza Gould, 1794-1808 (Aberystwyth: National Library of Wales, 2008), pp. 184-85.

The above letter was  sent to Elizabeth Gurney in Walworth, postmarked at 10 o’clock, 11 November, from Kingsbridge. Sherford is a small village situated about four miles west of Dodbrook. Joseph Adams was a successful coal-merchant and ship-owner in the Kingsbridge area, a likely acquaintance for Mr. Gould, who was now working in the shipping business. See Exeter Flying Post, 27 November 1828, for a notice about Mrs. Adams’s death.