Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, to Anne Whitaker, Bratton, [c. April 1808].

My dearest Anna,

   This large sheet will be very inadequate to inform you of that constant succession of engagements w.h both your dr Bror & myself have found so inimical to the intercourses of friendship tho’ I am assured its genuine interest has not been in the least degree impaired. No amidst all the shifting scenery w.h necessarily accompanies the part we are to play in life Bratton Farm or rather its beloved inhabitants retain their own place in our hearts, & heads, & possess all their original influence. We have heard of you several times since your letter & blessed be God, the tidings have been very grateful. Notwithstanding I had determined on omitting my visit to Bratton this summer I believe yr last kind invitation would have prevailed with me but for two insurmountable objections one arising from a conjecture that my compliance would afford you an opportunity of neglecting for some time at least to visit Salisbury, w.h appears to us a thousand times more eligible and the other an expected visit from the Mrs Horseys w.h has since taken place. Dr Sarah left me yesterday after a weeks stay Mrs Horsey is still here & talks of going forward to Crewkherne next week yr Bror went a few days since to the Isle of Wight. I wish we could have accompanied him. Mr Owen will be ordained the 24th cannot we continue an excursion to Southampton the Dr to preach at an event.  I hope you will come & hear him at Salisbury as he purposes to preach here either in going or returning. As to our being enfamille at Bratton under present circumstances w.h you so modestly declined proposing, I shd think the very mention of it a much greater impeachment. I am judgment & moderation the good Bishops Saffery & Page are chargeable within a late Instance  at the same time I see no difficulty of the like nature in our holding this pigmy Association in Castle Street – where we might devise future pleasure. – You say that you have more to tell me of than ever & this appears to be my case so that communication by word of mouth seems quite necessary.  I am now writing with uneasiness while Mrs H is sitting alone.  You must suppose how requisite attention to her is just now.  Sally wrote last week to desire that Polly might come by Silcox on Monday but we were disappointed. I shd be glad to have her forwarded by the first convenient method of conveyance  I assure you my boys & girls want unremitting care, particularly Carey, who is wild, furious & mischievous in no common degree  I wish much & so does my dr S to see you & yr sweet Children. Does not Joshua talk @ Salisbury & Aunt Saffery again? – pray write if you do not come immediately – I am hastened from you & must however reluctantly say Adieu,

                                 Yrs as ever

                                             M. G. Saffery

Sarum Wednesday noon

Your Cousin William < > was presented with a daughter on Monday Eveng – when will our dr little Emma Whitaker come to see us – I am sadly worried with the Children now & then for want of help  pray send Polly quickly –

Final note added by John Saffery:

Our united love awaits you and yours –

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 261-62 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Collection, acc. 180, A.1.(f.), Angus Library.  Address: Mrs Philip Whitaker | Bratton Farm | near Westbury | Wilts. Postmark: Salisbury. The |"Sarah" mentioned above is Probably Sarah Attwater of Bodenham; also mentioned are William (1772-1818) and Anna Attwater (1776-1825) of Bodenham.