Anne Steele, Broughton, to William Steele IV, at George Bullock’s, Yeovil, Somerset, 31 January 1762.

Broughton Jan 31. 1762

Dear Brother

         Your Letter of the 27th came this morning (I think the second that we have received in proper time by Post) I have been very anxious for you the week past and was much disappointed when we sent to Posthouse and found no Letter. Tho’ we have so little encouragement to hope for my dear Sister’s recovery, I desire to be thankful to that divine Goodness which supports her Mind with suitable comforts, may they be continued & increased, and whatever [be] the will of God concerning her may she still be blest with his gracious Presence! Yet, tho’ resignation is our indispensible duty, we are still permitted to pray & hope for her restoration—I am glad to hear that you and my dear Polly are well, and that M.r Bullock is more chearful.  I do not see how you can leave my Sister. Father, you may believe, will do what he can in the care of your affairs, if he is favour’d with health, as thro’ mercy he is at present.  He wrote to you last post, and I believe will the next.—I am yet in a poor state of health, was better some days but have been very ill again, am a little better to day but not well enough to go abroad.  Sister Wakeford was here this day 3 weeks with the little Boys & went away Monday morning, we have heard nothing of them since ’till last Friday, they were then indifferent well, had carry’d the Boys to school & left Billy not very well.

         My sincerest good wishes attend you, with Love & Service as due in which Father joins.  I am D.r Bro.r your ever affec.te Sister

                                             A.  Steele

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 2 (ed. Julia B. Griffin), pp. 318-19 (edited version); STE 3/8/viii, 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 ‘Jan 31 1762’.