Anne Steele, Broughton, to William Steele IV, at George Bullock’s, Yeovil, Somerset, 4 February 1762.

Dear Brother

         Your Letter of the 1st inst. was very welcome, as it brought the unexpected good news of my Sister’s being a little better and some hope of her recovery.  Let us still “direct our prayer unto God and look up.” Look up with humble dependance and patient hope in his oft-experienced Goodness.  You say nothing of your own health, I am willing to hope you are well yet am sometimes afraid of your own health, I am willing to hope you are well yet am sometimes afraid of your being visited with the Gout.  Am glad Polly continues well.—I am yet in a poor state of health, am ready to look forward with hope of being better when the weather is warm enough to ride out; but desire to depend only on that Sovereign Hand which dispenses Afflictions & Comforts in infinite Wisdom and Goodness.—My Father’s continued health is a mercy which I desire to acknowledge with thankfulness.

         I thought you wou’d have received my Letter Monday, but as you do not mention it, suppose you had not.  It is some satisfaction to me that you have order’d a more certain way of our receiving your Letters, I wish the rest may may inform us of my dear Sister’s being better, hope you will continue to write every Post, which (as you desire it) I believe we shall endeavour to do also. I join with Father in Love & Service as due and am Dear Brother

                                 Your ever affectionate Sister

                                                         A. Steele

Broughton Feb. 4 1762

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 2 (ed. Julia B. Griffin), p. 319 (edited version); STE 3/9/ix, Steele Collection, Angus Library, Regent's Park College, Oxford. Address: To | M.r Will.m Steele | at M.r Geo: Bullock’s | in Yeovil | Sommersett.   Also on the address page is written ‘Feb 4 1762’.