Richard Ryland, London, to Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, [Monday], 21 December 1807.

Savage Gardens 21 Decr 1807

   at Night

Dear Madam

   I am sure you will participate in the satisfaction I feel in informing you that Mrs Ryland was this Evening safely delivered of a Girl and that both are I thank God in the most promising way to do well – we were out twice yesterday as far as Mr Steven’s and the Circumstances of that most anxious Crisis were not more alarming or protracted than usual at the test – but rather the Contrary.       

   Pray remember me very kindly to the Girls upon this Occasion – Shortly you will have to send me their Account up to the Close of the Year – they should write shortly on this Occasion, both of them, either to their mother direct or to me such a letter as I could shew with Satisfaction – both might do it on one Sheet – and Lucy in particular who was extremely serviceable & commendable as a Needlewoman might offer her Services for anything she might be thought able to do for this little Sister – like what she did for Emily – < > or in making her Mamma any of those < > Nott Caps or other things when she got about.

   I had a letter from Richard today at Plymouth, he’s about to sail again directly & in high spirits – he has been in too short a time & has made himself too useful on board to be spared for a Trip to Town this time, but hopes to return after another 5 months – the rest of us are all well.

   I beg my best Compliments to Mr Saffery and remain

                                             Madam your faithful & Obedt Servt

                                                         R Ryland

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 255 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, II.D.5.a.(16.), Angus Library. Address: Mrs Saffery | Castle Street | New Sarum. Decr 21st / 7. Postmark: 22 December 1807. Charlotte Harriet Croft was the last child of Harriet and Richard Ryland. Emily Ryland was christened on 20 March 1802.