William B. Gurney, London, to unnamed correspondent [Rev. William Gurney, Rector of St. Clement’s in the Strand], undated [c. 1830].

Revd & Dear Sir

   Being well assured of your readiness to assist in every attempt to promote the glory of God & the Salvation of Sinners, I beg leave to lay before you, & earnestly intreat your full consideration of the inclosed Case; and I entertain no doubt of obtaining from you that liberal aid to the Cause which has not hitherto been denied where the means were in possession.  I would suggest in addition to what the printed Paper states that the Rent goes to 12 poor Widows, and is raised from the Gallery Pew-Rents before the Minister receives any thing for his Labours.

                           I am

                           Your faithful Servant

                                       W Gurney

Brompton Villa

Old Brompton

Among your Congregation, by small sums, if you can raise 5£—or even one—it will be of great service as this Letter will be widely circulated.  The cause is a peculiar one, it being the only Chapel & school on such a place.

Eng. MS. 377, f. 848, JRULM. The Rector was William Gurney (1785-1843), who served at St. Clement Danes, Westminster, from 1807 until his death in 1843. He died at Great Canfield vicarage, where the rector was John Phillips Gurney; whether these Gurneys were relations of William B. Gurney is unclear.