John Padwick, Chymist, East Street, Havant, Hampshire, to [Joseph Angus,] Baptist Mission Society, 6 Fen Court, Fenchurch Street, London, 12 September 1842.

Havant Sept 12 1842

Respected & Dear Sir

   Tho unknown I have presumed to address you an enquiry

   An Indian Girl has lately been met with here & received into the Cottage of a poor man from being a common beggar—She declares herself from Norbe near Calcutta (abt 3 days journey) & as having been taught in the Sabbth School of a Mission Station, by a Mr Hellyer & Mrs Fletcher, there are 27 members & 63 scholars two other Missionaries Messrs Turner & Green used occasionally to come up from Calcutta—her name is Betsy Flory & the mother of the same name was a member herself—the Girl is 14 yrs of age & left India May 1840 with her mother to escape a Mr Tusler who wanted to purchase her & on refusal threatened to take her by force—they left unknown to any but the father, not even the Missy (tho the Girl  went to see him on leaving)—the Father is a Captain Flory (native infantry) & an Idolater—& they had money on arrival (a double handful of Gold) but were cheated by a Jew & obliged to beg, that is the Girl for the mother would not & by fatigue &c (as we imagine) the Mother died after being ill but 2 hours passing much blood from the Mouth

   Such is the tale & we would not be sanguine from the frequent imposition but it comes in simplicity & without hesitancy or contradiction in minutiae of circumstance—The facts she gives of her mother are most satisfactory & evince strong enlightened & permanent piety & very valuable are the lessons she has given the daughter  her death was peaceful & joyful

   She says her mother died at Newby & on mentioning Newbury to her said yes that’s the place but getting all we can from her & making every possible enquiry there can find no clue or possibility of its being Newbury

   Enclosed is a stamp & may I beg you to reply & tell us if you have a station & Missionaries &c as herein stated as we are anxious to know the truth & write to the Father &c &c

   The Girl is in good keeping at this Cottg & Xn friends have clothed her &c & are seeking to instruct farther in holy things

   I am a member of Mr Scamps the Independent Church here & the Girl is [in] my wife’s Sab. School Class—        

                           Yr reply will oblige

                                       Yrs humbly in Xn Jesus

                     John Padwick   Chymist

                     East Stt Havant Hants

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. 249-250 (annotated version); also MAW, Box 39 (BMS 1335), John Rylands University Library of Manchester. John Thomas Turner (1818-1866) was a CMS missionary in the Tirunelveli District of India. William Scamp (1774-1860) was the Independent minister at Havant, 1803-1846.