Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, to Anne Whitaker, Bratton, Friday, [23 October 1807].

Friday Eveng

My very dr Sister,

   I came hither in safety @ two hours since but all particulars (except the welfare of my dr Husband & Children, who appear in perfect health) must be avoided, of course I include yr sweet little P– & my dr Mason ye pupils & Servts also appear well & happy.  The Rylands have been shocking my ears & paining my heart with details of their family  I expect the poor Mother must be mad – Lucy’s manner interests me somewhat differently from her Sister’s their sentiments now indeed seem quite in unison but I am aware this may be a mere confederacy, originating in circumstances – when I stepped into the coach this morng I immediately recognized the widow of poor Peirce for my fellow traveller.  She is a pleasing woman of her Class – I tho’t I wd mention her name to you & say that she wd to get a situation as Lady’s Maid where it is not quite in high stile or where she might blend the < > with the house-maid – her temper is [I] believe good her manners soft & she is clever at needle-work I suppose too she has very good health.

   My dr S & myself are inexpressibly indebted by your kind attentions to our dr Child he is quite satisfied with our arrangement thinking with me that his home wd be a poor refuge for him just now –

   Adieu  Ma chere amie  may the God of our Mercies multiply grace mercy & peace to you.

                     Yrs

                                             M. G. Saffery         

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 247 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.B.1.(29.), Angus Library. Address: Mrs P. Whitaker | Bratton Farm | to be left at the Red Lion | Warminster. Postmark: Salisbury, 23 October 1807.