Anne Whitaker, Bratton, to Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, [Tuesday], 23 September [1823].

My very dear Maria

   Through the great and unmerited goodness of our heavenly father we are sustained from day to day under our heavy stroke beyond our fears, nay beyond our expectations.  We have thus long considered your letter in connection with our circumstances before we answered it that we might judge how best to employ the few days which you will be able to share for the benefit of the chief sufferer – After a few days more he must revisit the scene of his departed joys. We have thought that Edward and yourself who did not personally share the days of gladness would be the best companions of his first days at Frome – of course I would accompany you nay precede you and take my full share should health be granted.  He is disposed to bear this mournful event as he ought but nature writes under the agonizing wound and faints beneath the pressure of such severe distress.  I can not enlarge  neither my mind or hand will fulfill their office – to say how deeply we feel with our dear child and with the afflicted parents of his much loved Sarah would be unnecessary if not impossible.

   Alfred is returned to Devizes and will I should think continue there till the beginning of the next week – when he will be able to return to Frome I cannot say – write and say if we may mention to send for you without previous notice or with that of a day.

   All here unite in love dear Lucy is a great assistance and comfort to us.

   I can only say that amid all the changing scenes and bitter sorrows of this suffering life I am

                     ever tenderly & faithfully

                                 yours

                                             Anne Whitaker

Bratton Septr 23rd

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 390; Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 180, A.2.(h.), Angus Library. Address: Mrs Saffery | Castle Street | Salisbury.  Postmark: Warminster. Alfred and his new wife, Sarah, had established their first residence at Frome, where his younger brother, George, was attending school. This letter, and several that follow, concern the death of Sarah Waylen Whitaker. Maria Saffery also composed a poem at this time, dated 25 September 1823, beginning ‘She “sleeps in Jesus.” Happy thus to rest’ (see Whelan, Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, vol. 5,  pp. 113-14.