John and Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, to Philip and Anne Whitaker, Bratton, [Friday], 9 February and Monday, 12 February 1816.

Salisbury Feby 9, 1816

My Dear Brother,

   I fear you & dear Sister will be uneasy at not hearing from us, & that my dear Mary will not have time to write I therefore catch the pen to do it, tho’ in the midst of the domestic circle & the conversation at a meal.  Indeed my time is, if possible, more than ever occupied – We are thro’ mercy all pretty well, except that my dear M continues much as she has & her spirits still greatly depressed occasionally, which to me as well as herself is very trying – I hope we feel thankful for so many mercies while afflictions & death abound on every hand.  I was at Heytesbury yesterday & heard of N Everett’s sudden death in the morning.  I preached at Shrewton in the evening, & reached home at 11 oclock when I found a Letter informing me of the death of Sister Shoveller on Wedy Morning.  She had been dangerously ill 12 or 14 days, but from recent information we had indulged faint hopes of her recovery.  She was very happy throughout her affliction.  The last words she was heard to utter were

O how pleasant

The conquerors song –

She had gone from Poole to Portsea in consequence of the dangerous illness of Wm Ellis her grandson, & died herself at James Horsey’s – She was a truly good Woman, & will be much missed in her circle, & especially by her bereaved relative – Our dear friend Smith has taken to his bed intirely & very feeble indeed.  Our old brother John Brookman at Wilton died on Monday.  O that these dispensations may [leave] their sanctified influence on us – I know not if you are aware of the situation of things at Titchfield, & which I suppose has prevented for a season, the marriage of Philemon.  Mr Penny was arrested last Saturday fortnight at the instance of Mr Roe at Southampton for £1500, & on Monday fortnight was conveyed to Winchester where he remains – A Docket has been since struck agst him & his two sons by the Bankers at Portsea who are satisfied that he could have paid 20/ in the pound had he been let alone & I believe he has more than enough for this purpose.

Maria Grace Saffery begins writing now:

   Thus far my dr S. had written on Friday and begged me to close but I have been almost distracted with multiplied engagements and the letter was thrown aside in despair. My dr Annes letter of Saturday determines me on sending it just as it is lest I should not prepare another for the post – the outfit of the Randalls for India is almost intirely on my hands they are to sail the 15th of next month & I have scarcely breathing time from anxiety – dear Philip too is going to Town.  Alas! I cannot tell you all I feel of hope & fear and thankfulness & disappointment on this too interesting Subject –  Adieu dear Anne  I can only add that I am

                                 Yours ever Yours

                                             M G Saffery

Monday Night

Text: Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.B.2.(25.),  Angus Library, Regent's Park College, Oxford.  Address: Salisbury Feby 12 1816 | Mr P. Whitaker | Bratton Farm | near Westbury | Wiltshire.  Postmark: Salisbury, 12 February. For a complete annotated version of this letter, see Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 348-49. 

Susanna Shoveller was the wife of John Shoveller and daughter of the Rev. Joseph Horsey of Portsea (and sister to John Saffery’s first wife). Philemon Attwater of Bodenham (1787-1832) was a member of Saffery's congregation at Brown Street; he married Eliza Penny (1789-1877) in 1816. Joel and Ann Randall were also members at Brown Street; they were preparing to sail for India as missionaries for the BMS.