Anne Whitaker, Bratton, to Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, [Saturday], 20 October 1810.

   My dear Maria will think I am becoming a very diligent correspondent, but circumstances of a nature not the most pleasing compel me to take the pen. To be brief our dear Lucy must return to Salisbury, & surely ought to have done so some weeks ago, but decision has been wanting both on her part & mine.

   I need not inform you of the reason, I am persuaded you will readily guess, I have only to intreat that it may be a profound secret at Salisbury – It would not be possible [next three lines of the letter have faded away and are illegible] with agitation I have endured for these five weeks but things have now reached such a pitch that we are in danger of taking to our beds, with downright perturbation unless as Salter observes, we can change the present state of things, I shall endeavour if possible to come up with Lucy as it may take off the surprise of her sudden appearance, but should she arrive alone, screen her I entreat you from troublesome < > announce that Lucy & I have some thought of being with you Monday or Tuesday that Lucy begins to want her winter clothing &c.  I must leave you to contrive for us better than I can dictate.  At any rate we must have no misunderstanding on this subject for indeed it has been no sport to us, but has spoiled a great deal of anticipated satisfaction – also poor Lucy’s good looks – I thought for a while I should have returned her to you looking unusually blooming and well, but incessant anxiety has faded her complexion in fact we are both completely worn out.

   I write this as you are < > how to misconstrue her remarks and enquiries which her unexpected arrival would occasion.

   I am I think thro’ much mercy which supports me from day to day better than when I wrote last tho under circumstances calculated to increase rather than diminish indisposition.  My dear family are also well.  Little John has the Chicken Pox, but is very slightly indisposed. < > best leave to yourself & our dear Brother and in kind regards to all.  If you do not see me with Lucy you may expect to hear from me more particularly by letter – adieu my beloved friend and Sister that every good & perfect gift may be bestowed on you & yours will be I trust the constant prayer of Yr

                                             Anne Whitaker

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 297-98 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 180, A.2.(a.), Angus Library.  Address:  Mrs Saffery | Castle Street | Salisbury.  Postmark:  Westbury. Also written on the address page: ‘Bratton October 20th 1810’.