Anne Whitaker, Bratton, to Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, [Thursday], 12 April 1827.

Bratton  April 12th 1827

My dear Maria

   I have for some time or I should rather say for about three weeks been aware that Mrs Seagram wished to send Kesants approach to you but I need not say how much the natural indecision and procrastinating disposition of Dr S– threw an air of uncertainty about it and rendered me unwilling to write to you on the subject – about ten days since to put an end to the affair I offered Mrs Seagram to send up the child under Joshua’s convoy which was joyfully accepted – but it had been delayed hitherto by insurmountable obstacles.  Last week your brother had a rather severe attack of [ensypelar?] in his leg – was obliged to lose blood keep his bed &c – he is now much better but still an invalid. Today Joshua and his young companion were to have started but a heavy rain has once more delayed – I now intend to post this to advise you of the probability of their arrival on Saturday – but as it is probable the little girl may be forwarded by one of the Coaches and Joshua ride up we wish you to have a good look out for the coaches as they arrive.

   Mrs Seagram has requested me to say that she relies on your kindness to make every allowance for the backwardness of her daughter’s education and to screen her as much as possible from the mortifications incident to it in the school.  The state of her finger has entirely precluded needle work & music and nearly writing in the latter she may probably improve herself with the lame hand but I should recommend her learning eventually to write with the more efficient one.  The poor little girl has for several years been Julia’s nurse and papa’s constant attendant excepting reading such books as were thrown in the way for her sister’s amusement has learnt nothing.  With regard to her health Mrs Seagram wished me to say that the change to be expected has not taken place – and she will of course be obliged by your attention to any indications of this nature – she will I believe be provided with an aperient pill for occasional use, which when taken will require to be followed by a few salts in the morning – should any indisposition be felt requiring medical aid Dr Fowler is to be applied to but this we hope may not be necessary.

   I took dear Anne to Devizes on Tuesday in her way to London attended by Elizabeth  I have heard from her this morning – she seems to have borne the journey well – My anxieties & fatigues have been great this week but a merciful providence has strengthened me to bear them.  Anne has not dined with the family since the latter end of January – & has engrossed the greater part of Elizabeth’s time & attention.  Last Monday I saw poor Mrs Stapleton with a fine little girl by her side who was born the day preceding – I am intending to send for the youngest boy in a few days – and to get him nursed here for a time with the assistance of a little girl of the village.

   Since writing this Joshua has agreed with Mrs Seagram to postpone the journey till Tuesday next when he hopes to drive the little girl up

   Excuse haste and inaccuracy & believe me ever affectionately Yours

                                             Anne Whitaker

Will you request your Son to write to Joshua by Fridays post directing to the Lion Warminster informing him whether we are to expect Mr Evans or any other gentleman of the cloth to preach the Missionary Sermon at our place Monday Eveng next or whether he wd advise us to postpone it  do not fail as it will be necessary to give notice on Monday

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 402-03 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 180, A.2.(c.), Angus Library. Address:  Mrs Saffery | Castle Street | Salisbury.  Postmark: Frome, no date. Reference above to Lucy Ryland Stapleton.