Maria Grace Saffery, Kingsland, to Jane Saffery Whitaker, Bratton, Saturday, 9 November [1844].

De Beauvoir Villas – Kingsland.

Saturday Novr 9th

My ever dear Jane

         I feel it a sweet solace to write to you from hence, because it affords to me anticipation of return to my village home: yet if I succeed in my purpose at the Post Office to day, I shall be able to furnish little more than the date of my letter, or rather of the page on which the letter should be written. I came hither yesterday; after some previous uncertainties as to the accomplishment of my plan for leaving Kingston which interfered with my correspondence to Bratton early in the week. – The kind Seeleys, have indeed a strong claim on my grateful friendship; and this, combined with the deep interest I cherish, in the well remembered beauty of the neighbourhood they inhabit would even now inspire me with regret, were it not for the far deeper interest and the stronger claim which every thought on the dwelling place of you and yours must awaken in the hearts of her, who delights to call herself

                                             Your Friend Mother,

                                                         Maria Grace Saffery.

Tender remembrances await you from each loved one here – the Orphan Bessie improves visibly in health and Mary Jane is happy at her School – The Boys and little Gertrude in almost high health. Let us not fail to acknowledge the God of our mercies!

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 448-49 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.B.5.b.(7.), Angus Library. Address: Mrs Joshua Whitaker | Bratton | near Westbury | Wiltshire.  Postmark: Westbury, 10 November 1844.