Maria Grace Saffery, Brixton, to Jane Saffery Whitaker, Bratton, [Saturday], 7 September [1844].

No 9 Park Terrace Brixton

Saturday Septr 7th

         Your most welcome letter, my beloved, Jane, reached me yesterday in this friendly habitation where, too, I propose remaining through some part of the succeeding week; still I hasten my reply, not only to relieve your possible anxiety, as to the immediate reception of the dear Epistles, but to comfort you on the deeply interesting subject concerning which we so fully sympathise I need not say – that this respects our little Orphan kindred.

         A few hours after yours arrived, then Brother John, and his Jane, came by appointment hither to take Tea; bringing with them the unexpected tidings, of a satisfactory arrangement made for the Children in the Grove – when they leave their once happy Birth place, Mary-Jane will be taken under the roof of Mrs Jay, and Bessie will find a home at Kingsland, and remain in that sweet shelter till the spring, when perhaps a visit to Bratton will be a salutary change, suited to the delicacy of her constitution, which indicates the need of tender and judicious management – the pecuniary assistances requisite for the accomplishment of these measures with regard to ou dear John, was perfectly understood, and had been of course agreed to – your opinion on this point, could admit of no hesitation and I am delighted to relive your Sisterly Solicitude.

         On Wednesday I wandered to Norwood, and spent a pleasant stay with Mason and her truly estimable friend Mrs Williams, this is my third visit there and I go again soon. Mrs Payne and the Waylens – also are among the many Inquirers for you and yours – with whom I meet, but Mason’s reminiscence seems almost, bordering on the maternal since she appears to be thinking of her little Jane and who can wonder!

         I have a letter by this post, from our Marianne. She is better, and enjoying the magnificent scenery of the north with the dear ones – in that locality and longing for you and me in their party – but I dare not enlarge here, lest I should fail of my intention for the Post.

         Tell my very dear son Joshua of my grateful sense of our Heavenly Father’s kindness, in his improving health. Soon I hope to see him in the full enjoyment of the Benefit.

         I have been thinking much of his Brother. Has no one suggested the making trial of some appropriate place on the Continent; during the winter especially? remember me with expressions of sincere regard to the whole circle round you with their separate & < > but not forgotten claims – and to the precious Children speak in the fond love of your own heart, for I rejoice to say,

                                             Your own Mother

                                                         Maria Grace Saffery

All friendly salutation from the friend below her brother, is a very pleasing Man –

I cannot yet even imagine, to whom we are indebted for the Bridal cards.

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 444 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.B.5.b.(3.), Angus Library. Address: Mrs Joshua Whitaker | Bratton | near Westbury | Wiltshire.  Postmark: Westbury, 8 September 1844.  This letter is bordered in black, denoting the death of Eliza Saffery. William Carey Saffery and his family lived in Peckham; John Saffery and his wife, Jane, also lived in London. The Waylens are probably relations of Sarah Waylen (d. 1823), first wife of Alfred Whitaker.