Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, to Anne Whitaker, Bratton, [c. 29 May 1807].

   My dear Sister is I know eager for information respecting affairs in Castle Street & whatever difficulty is felt in the performance, I am desirous of communication – tho’ I have rather a lame accnt to give medically considered – Carey is better to day if one may so speak of a little being who from lying in bed yesterday with incomparable patience, has run @ today with as much petulance & self will – he seems restless this Eveng & I think I perceive something like measles @ the arms – Ann went to bed quite ill yesterday & so continues Mr F attends but hitherto her Complaint is not evident yet I suspect it – in addition to our family troubles Sally has had what is termed a black Felon on her finger wh was lanced yesterday & ye pain of wh has inpeded her services, Miss Oakley also has suffered even dreadful Hysteria affection & was carried to bed senseless by Mr Saffery last night – the symptoms hang @ her to day & I have had recourse to Mr F–.  You will conceive of me from this recital especially with dr little “S”– for a bedfellow as sufficiently weary & this is truly the case but I have still cause to remark the interposing power & kindness of Jehovah in the continuance of my health & the moderately peaceful state of my mind, perhaps you will unite at this expression but indeed I am afraid to speak largely while so many little lurking solicitudes keep ambush in my bosom, yet there also I trust is treasured a confidence that cannot be experienced so fully I had almost said so delightfully as when called on to oppose the faithless imbecility of an evil heart “Lord I believe help thou mine unbelief” conveys this idea to me.  O that with a nobler exercise of mind I were more disposed in the blissful language of the poet to – 

“Sing the sweet promise of His grace

And the performing God”

   My dr S–  returned home well after a pleasing association on the whole he unites in very very affectionate remembrance, but complain’d a little of yr taking flight so suddenly – how is dr Edward I am anxious to learn the particulars of yr Journey & shall open for a good accnt on Lords day – I enclose a letter recd to day from poor Ryland.  What shall I do? what can be refused to her solicitation? – but I cannot enter on the subject to night I fear you will find it an ample exercise to yr feelings it has been to ours probably it may be wise to take little notice of this to those @ you tell my father Mr Derby called yesterday on his way to Town & wished to be remembered  Phil is getting good  Mary & he are both comfortably well the time considered  Mason begs kindest regards & I must only add that I am

         Your’s with inexpressible tenderness of

                     Friendship,

                                 Maria Grace Saffery

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 231-32 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.B.4.c.(28.), Angus Library. Address: Mrs P. Whitaker | Bratton Farm. No postmark.  Letter can by dated by the Association meeting and by the reference to receiving Harriet’s letter of the 27th, which would have taken usually two days at that time to travel from London to Salisbury. References above include Samuel Saffery, born on 21 February 1807; Isaac Watts's hymn, ‘The Faithfulness of God in the Promises’, from Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Book II, hymn LXIX, p. 192; and the annual meeting of the Western Association of Particular Baptists, which was held at Tiverton, Devon, 20-21 May 1807.