Anne Whitaker, Bratton, to John Saffery, Salisbury, [Wednesday], 28 November 1798.

Bratton  Novr 28. 1798

Attached to the letter below was a letter from Philip Whitaker to John Saffery, of the same date.

My dr Friend,

   I have taken the pen to say a few words to you tho’ I scarcely know what they are to be and I believe they will not be worth the trouble of reading when I have written them as I am very stupid this Morng – I need not tell you how much I was afflicted by the circumstances of the dr Family in Havant Street – nor how sincerely I rejoice in the prospect of a favorable issue – Your being at P– during so distressing a period was a very great satisfaction as I thought your influence might prevent some things whh I otherwise fear’d and yr Society help to cheer the gloom incident to such seasons – I hope you will soon let us [hear from] you and the sooner we see you the better we shall be pleased but suppose the attraction is not sufficiently strong at present – I mean this as no disparagement to yr friendship – I am glad to hear by Mr Blatch that our friend Penny is better shd be glad to hear of the welfare of others, particularly of poor Mary B– who was quite ill when you wrote last – If you can make it convenient to write us a letter & enclose it with a 1s. worth of Catechisms to send by ye Warminster Van on Saturday we shall be obliged – with the sincerest desires for your happiness & comfort in every possible way I hasten to subscribe myself

                                 Yr affecte Friend

                                             Anne Whitaker

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 165-66 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.A.9, Angus Library. Address: Revnd Jno Saffery | Exeter Strt | Sarum. Postmark: Westbury. By this time of the above letter, Maria Grace Andrews and John Saffery had already decided to marry, an event which occurred on 20 August 1799.