Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, to Anne Whitaker, Bratton, [Wednesday], 16 August 1815.

Salisbury Augst 16th 1815

   I know the exquisite anxieties of my dear Anne, will not readily subside after the late excitement, judging however by the frailty of a heart, in which the throb of solicitude frequently resists the tranquilizing power of gratitude for past, & hope of future benefits.  Now indeed the tumult is well nigh allayed – and all the comment I have to make on the late distressful season, was prepared long since on the harp of the Son of Jesse.  “The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and blessed are all they that trust in him.”

   The recovery of my dear S– has been rapid & uniform almost I think beyond example the extent of his disease taken into the account.  He preached twice one Sabbath day, & on Monday set out on his northern journey.  I had a letter from Bristol this morning with a pleasant account of his progress thither.  In addition to this great mercy I can assure you that the general health of the family is quite good, that I am well myself and find no inconvenience from my late fatigues and terrors except a palpitation when I wake in the night & wh seems to be going off.  I have been much soothed and delighted too with the tender sympathies of the flock, in the sufferings of their Pastor and their great joy at his recovery I had trouble enough to keep up the discipline of precautions, as if he good as he was could infect nobody! I would not however depart from my medical creed he kept his own rooms slept by himself was not indulged with one social meal, and took leave of the children in the Garden standing in a separate path – Since his departure the work of purification has been going on with the utmost vigor in the form of fumigation wh has almost stifled me while working &c &c.  The bed the Carpet the blankets are all vanished for a season and I believe that Dr Fowler could repose comfortably in the rooms his patient has lately occupied – Still my dear Anna I remember, that all our safety is in the guardianship of Jehovah, and that if his watchful eye could slumber, our vigilance would make in vain.  I hope this consideration is dear to me and that I trust, because I have tried the strength of that almighty arm –

   I want to hear that your cold is gone write soon at least by Mr Edminson, who I am desired to say is fully expected to supply here next Lords day.  Be sure that no mistake is made about this – poor Mr Miall who was to have been with us last Sabbath has dislocated his hip I think, by a fall it was soon replaced – Adieu dear Anne.  I have been writing several letters, and am weary with my various exercises, but it is pleasant to converse with you and to feel and call myself

         Yours faithful and tenderly in the ties of nature & of friendship

                                 Maria Grace Saffery

Salter & Mason beg kind regards – my little girls too would be suitably remembered to my little boy – my dear love to my good Brother & appropriate remembrances to all.

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 346-47 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.B.2.(24.), Angus Library. Address: Mrs Philip Whitaker | Bratton Farm | near Westbury | Wiltshire | Salisbury Augst 16, --15.  Postmark: Salisbury, 16 August 1815.  Daniel Miall was the Baptist minister at Plymouth.