Anne Steele, Bath, to Anne Cator Steele, Broughton, 2 June 1751.

Hon.d Mother

         As my Brother receiv’d the Letter which gave you an account of my illness I took it again because I thought he cou’d tell you every thing, I hope we shall hear of his safe return with an acc.t of yours & my Fathers & Sisters health from Bro.r or you by next Post  I write now because Bro.r desir’d it though I have nothing to tell you except that my Sister Bath’d yesterday  has been out of order since occasion’d by a little surprize but is now better and designs to Bathe again soon, the ill success I had in my first attempt makes me fearful, I thought of trying again to morrow but Sister wou’d have me ask ye Doctor first, for he said I must not Bathe till the pain is quite gone  my Side is now pretty well but I have had since yester-morning a violent pain in my head whether it is the same disorder I can’t tell – I drink the Waters & walk a good deal but don’t find I am much better for it – the illness I have had since I have been here makes me often ready to wish I had never come but I endeavour to check those uneasy thoughts knowing that every thing is under the direction of a wise and gracious God and desire to rely on his oft experienc’d Goodness.—       

         Sister joins with me in Duty to my Father & your Self and Love & Service to Bro.r & Sis.r Wakeford and M.rs Waters & Miss who I suppose are all with you  I beg you will please to write next Week and am Hon.d Mother

                                 Your dutiful & obed.t Daughter

                                                         A Steele

Bath  June 2.d 1751

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 2 (ed. Julia B. Griffin), p. 279 (edited version); STE 3/7/xiii, Steele Collection, Angus Library, Regent's Park College, Oxford. Address: To | M.rs Steele at Broughton | To be left at the three Lyons | in Sarum | Wilts | By Cross Post.  Individuals mentioned above include Mr. and Mrs. Wakeford of Andover, the parents of Joseph Wakeford, future husband of Steele's younger half-sister, Mary; Mrs. Thomas Attwater of Bodenham; and probably her daughter, Caroline (b. 1746).