Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, to Anne Whitaker, Bratton, Monday, 12 June 1809.

Monday June 12, 1809

My very dear Anne,

   I am so much better that I am rather surprised that I cannot speak in ye positive degree and say well, but this little attack of fever has left me continually nervous inasmuch that I catch myself at [several] times examining the state of my pulse, sighing < > I have indeed great cause for thankfulness that < > I have to complain of but this you as it makes a tiresome companion proves also a stupid correspondent – all the children are now pretty well. John is weaning, my dear Husband went in good health to Portsea this morng I rather think he will bring back with him Mrs James Saffery, & that dear Alfred will return according to ye original intention he shall be station’d at Mr Marsh’s while at S–  dear Phil & Mary are to be his companions  nothing can exceed the delight this anticipation affords them  the other prattlers comfort themselves with the idea that it will be better to travel with Mamma particularly Jane who insists on being yr visitor.

   Mason I am sorry to say is very weak and I dread for her the requisite exertion but she thinks she shall be better in a few days  < > calld from her on her return one of wh contained an Accnt of the loss of both her brother’s infant children < > she was aware of one instance only < > make of mind you will easily conceive < > very adverse to her at this period. She begs the most affecte remembrances of gratitude & esteem.

   My dear Ryland has had a severe attack of ye bile to day wh we have been forced to counteract with Calamel Extract she is better to night. Salter left us for Exeter this Eveng with a very heavy heart on accnt of her suffering friend I expect she will not stay very long, but of course I shall not leave home ’till [she] returns < > require an attention that Lucy cannot pay < > goes to London – my dear S–  believes < > this morng that he wd endeavor to be with < > second Sab. in July but could make no < > until he had obtained a supply wh he < > at the double Lecture at Romsey next < > week after I cannot be sure wh – < > begs love, & I suppose I convey with this message the sentiments of < > of more I think may I am sure < > of your deeply indebted

                                 friend and Sister

                                             Maria Grace Saffery

your Aunt Attwater is better. Dr Fowler tho’t her so on Saturday

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 284-85 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.B.1.(36). Address: Mrs Philip Whitaker, | Bratton Farm | nr Westbury | Wilts. No postmark.  Letter is severely damaged References above to John Saffery, Jr., Maria Saffery’s latest child, born in December 1808; and John Saffery's sister-in-law, Mrs. James Saffery of Portsmouth.