William Steele, Broughton, to Mary Steele, Exeter, [Wednesday] 13 June 1770.

Broughton June 13th 1770

My Dear Polly

   I hop’d for a second Letter from you by this time but have not yet rec’d it, perhaps there may be one at Stockbridge if so the Messenger that goes with this will bring it.  I long greatly to hear from you & hope I shall not be disappointed. – Thro’ the Care of Providence I came home from Bristol Saturday last in Safety and health.  I had the pleasing Satisfaction to find the same indulgent Cares had presided over our dear Friends, we continue as well as usual only your Aunt has a Complaint in her Eyes which has prevented her writing you, but she hopes to be able to do it soon. – Your dear little Sister grows more & more entertaining we long for you here to partake of our pleasures & can’t help regretting your absence at this delightful Season.  I suppose your uncle & you will soon return to Yeovil, may the kind Hand of your Heavenly Father be your Protector & in due time restore you to the Arms of your earthly Father.

   Your Letter of the 8th is this Moment rec’d & we all rejoice to hear My Dear Girl is so well & so agreeably situated, the Post man waits for this so I must conclude with due Services to all.  Nancy sends her dear Sis: a Kiss & your Aunt & Mamma join in the tenderest Sensations of Love to & Wishes for the happiness of my Dear Polly with her affectionate Father

                                             W. Steele

Text: Timothy Whelan, ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols.  (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 3, p. 209 (annotated version); STE 4/5/vi, Steele Collection, Angus Library, Regent's Park College, Oxford. Postmark: Salisbury. Address: To / Miss Steele / To be left with Mr Geo: Bullock / at the Half Moon Inn / in Exeter / Devonshire.