Anne Whitaker, Bratton, to Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, [c. April 1824].

My dear Maria,

   You have doubtless heard from Mr Saffery of the plan proposed to him of your visiting our dear Alfred at Frome as early in the holy days as you can make it convenient accompanied by Jane the particular design of my writing at present is to suggest an arrangement in the travelling way if you can leave at the commencement of the vacation – My thoughts glanced to John, little Brown, and Miss Dear and I thought with some or all of these you might reach Warminster comfortably in a chaise without exposing your self to inclement weather; or if the weather should prove mild & you preferred a car to Warminster for your party – Jane with you and John might proceed in a chaise to Bratton from thence – if you can form any plan and let me know it I shall be glad as I can make arrangements here the better in that case. Alfred seems to have made up his mind fully to expect you and I hope to be able to spend the greater part of my time with you at Frome –

   I have a great deal to say to you so much that I scarcely know where to begin  We have much here to remind us of our mortality – our dear Mother is gradually sinking under the pressure of years – Mrs Williams is still nearer < > at least as far as appearances go – Mrs Edminson who eleven days since gave birth to a little girl appears threatened with a rapid measure of the disease which has for months past been gaining ground on her constitution – poor Julia is languishing out her life in a darkened room unable to leave her bed to which she has been almost wholly confined ever since the middle of August – Our own family have been favoured with a good measure of health for the most part, tho’ Anne has not been in all respects as I could wish – My own health is very imperfect yet I am certainly not so feeble as I was in the spring.

   We shall all be most happy to see you at Bratton farm and till that time I must postpone further communication  Our united love awaits you and yours.  Adieu my earliest dearest Friend  You know that I am ever tenderly

                                 Yours

                                             Anne Whitaker

Kind regards to Salter

Lucy has I believe taken possession of her new abode which is about a quarter of a mile on this side Trowbridge  O that it may be the will of God to grant her more peace in this than in any of her former dwellings

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 393-94 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 180, A.2.(k.), Angus Library. [Address:  Revd J. Saffery | Castle Street | Salisbury | Mrs Saffery. No postmark. In 1822, Alfred Whitaker moved to Frome, where he would commence work and marry his first wife, Sarah Waylen. After her death, he remained a resident of Frome. Samuel Saffery returned to Salisbury from his time in London in September 1823. This letter is written c. Easter 1824, which was 18 April.