Philip Whitaker, Bratton, to Maria Grace Saffery, Salisbury, [Saturday], 24 July 1830.

Bratton July 24 1830

Dear Sister

   I imagine you will have received the intelligence from Holcombe before John arrives but in case you should not I would say that dear Anne after a rather tedious and severe labour was delivered of a daughter about nine yesterday morning may we be truly thankful to the giver of all good [from] his abundant goodness  I beg to present my best wishes that the late event in your family may be a lasting blessing to all concerned I would have written to Philip if I had been sure he had been at home please to present my love and best wishes to them.    

   I hear that Miss Seagram is to return to you again I am glad to hear your prospects are so cheering  may the Lord be with you at all times

                                 I am your’s affectionately

                                             Philip Whitaker

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 419 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.A.19.(c.), Angus Library. Address: Mrs Saffery. No postmark.