Catherine Short, Woburn, to John Rippon, London, 1 January 1803.

         As I am so well persuaded that Good Dr Rippon is interested for me, I take the liberty to inclose a copy of a letter written by my friend Mrs Carey, (with whom I have resided ever since my Dear Mr Short left me) to Mr Sutcliffe on my account, as this states my present circumstances in a manner more full than I have spirits to discribe them. I feel that I have a claim on the society in my present bereaved and widowed state which I have not the courage to assert: but if yourself, or Dr Ryland would say for me, that which I cannot express on my own behalf I shall esteem my self ever indebted to the liber^a^lity of each

         I hope Mrs Rippon and your Dear Daughter are quite well, to whom I beg to be kindly remembered.

         Permit me to entreat an interest in your prayers, and believe me, dear Sir

                     very affectionately

                                 and respectfully

                                             Yours

                                                         C— Short

Woburn Janry 1st 1803

PS The Revd Mr Castledon,1 who has undertaken to convey you this, is my very good friend, and sincere well wisher. He is the Pastor of the Church in this place and it is under his ministry that I have set since I left Brickhill.

Address: The Revd Doctor Rippon | No 11 Grange Road | Southwark

Postmark: none

Note

1 Probably James Castleden (1778-1854), who later ministered at Hollybush Hill, Hampstead, Middlesex, from 1818-54.

Text: John Rippon Letters, British Library, Add. Ms. 25389, fols. 59-60. The letter to Sutcliff by Mary Carey, mentioned above, can also be found in the Rippon Letters (Vol. 1, Add. Ms. 25386, fols. 191-92), in the hand of Caroline Short; for the complete transcription of that letter on this site (under Carey, Mary), click here.