My very dear Aunt,

long before this I ought to have
returned my sincere, & grateful acknowledgements for
your very kind letter, and acquainted you with the
Lords gracious dealings respecting me, and mine.
I have been too negligent in delaying to thank you
for your tender concern for me, & in mentioning the
loving kindness of Him whose praise ought
continually to be in my Mouth. _
It was with peculiar satisfaction I received
your truly affectionate Epistle it afforded that con-
- solation it was meant to convey, and I desire to
be thankful that I was so laid on your heart
and that you, and others of the Lords dear people
were enabled to pray for me, and that He inclined
his Ear, and heard. I had a very favourable
Time, and every circumstance seemed ordered so as
to be most for my comfort, and convenience.
I am blessed with a very lovely Boy who grows

finely, and is as quiet as a Lamb, for he is always
in a good humour & cries very little. He is much
admired by our Friends, as he is a very promising
Child in his appearance, and one of them a godly
Minister in this neighbourhood, and was one of his
Godfathers seems much drawn out to pray for him
that he may be an instrument of bringing many
Souls unto Jesus. He was privately baptised by his
Father, & this Day 3 weeks he was solemly dedicated
to the Lord in his own house, the Minister above
mentioned, his Wife, and another Christian Minister
being his sponsors. The Evening preceding one of
the Ministers met many of our dear people in
our house, and spoke from those words "let The
Children of Zion be joyful in their King." and there
we joyfully joined in acknowledging the Lords mercies
manifested towards me since we had last met.
I am very happy in having many precious souls
in this place, and neighbourhood, among whom
'tis delightful to dwell. _ Mr Horne is not far

distant from us, we hope in a little time to get him
over to see us, as we long to be acquainted with him
and I hope also to derive instructions from the conduct
& example of his wife who I suppose is a very
excellent woman.
Marianne has been very ill of a Rheumatic complaint
which took away the use of her Limbs, but the
Lord has graciously restored her to perfect health, and
also preserved me from getting cold by attenda[damaged]
while she was so ill. _
I saw our Simon lately. He, and Mr Whittingham
are much attached to each other; for my own part
I can never be sufficiently thankful for my union
with Mr W. & I trust he is beloved by many who
have reason to bless God for him. _ Our Son Samuel
grows a fine youth and pays great attention to his learning
learning. Eliza is well, and our little John has not
yet had a Days illness. I write very freely to you
my dear Aunt, knowing that you have that kind
forbearance, and tender love that will look over
the deficiencies these lines exhibit. I cannot however

close without begging you to let me have the
happiness of hearing from you sometimes. Mr W [?unites]
with me in most affectionate remembrance to you, and
I remain
My very dear Aunt
your truly affectionate
Neice
Mary Whittingham
Polton. Oct^r 25^th 96.

[vertical centre] Mrs Fletcher
Madely
near Shiffnall
Shropshire
single sheet [vertical centre ends]

[vertical right: red wax seal, intact]
[bottom left: postmark "Oc 27"]