Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, to Anne Whitaker, Bratton, [Friday], 3 October 1806.

Sarum Friday night Oct 3d 1806

Dearest Anne

   My dr S. has promised more than I can easily perform & I fancy a page instead of a sheet will suffice to convey all the little meaning I have in my head & the great meaning I have in my heart this November like eveng.  The fact is I [am] very dull or if [page torn] very stupid so that notwithstanding my frequent & ardent wish for yr Society I know not how to chat with you five minutes to night – dr Josh is quite well & very cheerful so are Phil & Mary  Jane is rather tearful with teeth & Carey is yet somewhat out of condition with his late Stomach ache tho’ I believe ye pain has eased, he remembers yr indulgence I told ye boys just now I was going to write & I had long messages of duty & love from Joshua & Phil – take notice this is just ye first < > visit to S–  I have half a bed wh I will make a < > while my dr S is at B– you will like to see my Mo before she leaves I am almost certain you will love Miss B– too.  The former begs very affecte remembrances < > I suppose will finish yr gown to morrow – what will you do @ Mr A–.  I think you had better be here next week – at all events – I am rather provoked yt my S– sd give you ye first delineation of Miss B  think I shall command silence –

   Adieu ma douce amie kiss sweet Emma for me  remember me kindly to Bror assure ye Boys I love.

   Believe that for you & yours I offer the prayers of strong affection & I hope of faith.  May answers of abounding mercy be granted, & excite ye grateful praise of

                                             Yr friend & Sister

                                                         M. G Saffery

Attached to the above letter is a letter from John Saffery to Philip Whitaker, dated the same as above.

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 222-23 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.A.16.(a.), Angus Library. Address: Mr Philip Whitaker | Bratton Farm | to be left at the | Red Lion | Warminster | Octr 3d 1806.  Postmark: Salisbury.