Anne Whitaker, Bratton, to Alfred Whitaker, Salisbury, [Sunday], 9 March 1806.

My dear little Boy

   It is a long time since I have indulged the feelings of my heart by expressing them to you in this way – various causes have contributed to my silence; among others, the indecorum of your conduct when I parted with you at Salisbury: but as I am induced to hope from your Aunt’s letters that you are fully sensible of your error on that occasion I resume the Pen.

   To write to you is, like every other employment of which you are the Object, attended with a mixture of pleasure and anxiety – it is pleasant to write to you because it will give you pleasure to receive a letter from me and because to tell you that I love you is a gratification to myself: yet I experience solicitude that what I write may be calculated to make some good impression to convey some just idea; or inspire some generous sentiment –

   This is Sabbath Evening – how has my dear Alfred spent the Day?–has he reverently attended the worship of God in his House?–has he conscientiously avoided trifling and levity when at home? – have his thoughts been at all engaged in contemplating the perfections of that august and infinitely amiable Being to whose service the sacred hours of the Sabbath are professedly devoted? – The holy Psalmist when he would most emphaticlly describe a foolish Man says of him “God is not in all his thoughts”[2] – it is surely the most consummate folly to forget Him who is the source and centre both of true wisdom and true happiness – to think of God with reverence and affection is at all times both our duty and privilege but most indispensably on the day that he has set apart for his more immediate worship.

   I had many more things to say to you, but have been prevented – your dear Father who will be the bearer of this will communicate all desirable information – It is quite late and I can only add my most tender and ardent wishes for your advancement in knowledge and in virtue but above all for the implantation of that Grace in your heart which can alone render you useful and honorable in Life; happy in death; and blessed beyond the Grave – May God bless you my beloved Child and in due time restore you to the Arms of

               yr affectionate Mother

                     Anne Whitaker

Bratton Farm

Mar: 9th 1806

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 211 (annotated version); Reeves Collection, Box 21.4.f.(iv.), Bodleian. Address: Master Whitaker.