Potton Vicarage
Saturday Even.^g
1808
My very dear Aunt
It is a long while since I
wrote to you, tho I have often thought of you
and wished to write but something or other
has taken up my time. I hope you are well
much do I long to hear from you, as it gives
me inexpressible pleasure to receive a letter
from you. _ This mornings post brought me
a letter from my dear Brother. Alass he
has lost his eldest Son Peter. – My dear
Nephew lay dangerously ill at Dartmouth
(I suppose he was there with the Regiment) his
Father was sent for by express, and soon got
to him, takieng Dr Ash with him. He was
also attended by Dr Pitcairn, and the Dr of the
Regiment but they honestly declared there was no
hope of recovery. His father was sent for on
Wednesday sevenight, and on Monday he died

He was I believe delirious. _ How suddenly is
he cut off in the bloom of Life. _He was at the
siege of Copenhagen. _ When I was at my Brothers
He was very obliging and kind to me, and my
Son was at Oxford when he was {^illeg} has lost a Friend
My Brothers second Son Samuel is a very amiable
young Man and I hope will be a comfort to
my Brother, and endeavour to fill up the vacancy
with propriety. – another Son is very ill of a sore
Throat and fever. He is a sweet Boy I hope
he will recover. Mr poor Brother has many
trials. _ I hope you will be enabled to pray
much for him in this his affliction. _ I have
a Maid Servant ill with something of the
same complaint. _poor peter I have heard
was very partial to one of my sisters Daughters
and wished to have married her. No Doubt
they are also in great affliction. My Brother
seems to write with much with much resignation _

I long to hear how you do, and to hear of all the
Dear people I saw when with you. _ your letter
will do perhaps to read to some of my people
here as you always furnish me with some
good thing. _I keep going on with my children
in the school room, and some of them I trust
do not hear in Vain. _God is doing something
among the people and some one turned the
Error of their ways. Satan seems very angry and
strives to hinder the work one way, or often. But
the Gates of Hell shall not prevail {?against} [?illeg]
Church of Christ. _ My dear Aunt I shall never
I fear see you in the flesh again. I hope I shall
meet you in a happier World. I thought it a great
thing to be favoured to see you at Madely. Pray
for me. I cannot express how much I love you
May Jesus comfort and bless you, and his {?smile}
animate your heart from Day to Day. I have
not heard of your picture yet. I wish I had it
in my house. – Mr W. desires to be remembered
to you. Eliza John and Emma are all well thro
mercy. Mariame is in London, her brother is near

Her, and often sees her, Samuel I hope grows in
Grace and seems takeing root downwards. I have
Much comfort in him. – I trust he will come out
a burning and a shineing light time. –
[change hand]
1808
Whittingheem
[change hand]
[Vertical]
Mrs Fletcher
Madely
Near Shiffnall
Shropshire
[Vertical ends]
pray remember me to Miss Tooth, and all other
Friends I am dear Aunt your very affectionate Niece
Mary Whittingham

Potton Vicarage
Saturday Even.^g
1808

My very dear Aunt

It is a a long while since I
wrote to you, tho I have often thought of you
and wished to write but something or other
has taken up my time. I hope you are well
much do I long to hear from you, as it gives
me inexpressible pleasure to receive a letter
from you. _ This Mornings post brought me
a letter from my dear Brother. Alas he
has lost his eldest Son Peter. _ My dear
Nephew lay dangerously ill at Dartmouth
(I suppose he was there with the Regiment) his
Father was sent for by express, and soon got
to him taking Dr Ash with him. He was
also attended by Dr Pitcairn, and the Dr of the
Regiment but they honestly declared there was no
hope of recovery. His Father was sent for on
Wednesday sevenight, and on Monday he died. _

He was I believe delirious. _ How suddenly is
he cut off in the bloom of Life. _ He was at the
seige of Copenhagen. _ When I was at my Brothers
He was very obliging and kind to me, and my
Son was at Oxford when he was, {^he} has lost a Friend.
My Brothers second Son Samuel is a very amiable
young Man and I hope will be a comfort to
my Brother, and endeavour to fill up the vacancy
with propriety. _ another Son is very ill of a sore
Throat and fever. He is a sweet Boy I hope
he will recover. My poor Brother has many
trials. _ I hope you will be enabled to pray
much for him in this his affliction. _ I have
a Maid Servant ill with something of the
same complaint. _ Poor Peter I have heard
was very partial to one of My sisters Daughters.
and wished to have married her. No Doubt
they are also in great affliction. My Brother
Seems to write with much resignation _

I long to hear how you do, and to hear of all the
dear people I saw when with you. _ Your letter
will do perhaps to read to some of my people
here as you always furnish me with some
good thing. _ I keep going on with my children
in the school room, and some of them I trust
do not hear in Vain. _ God is doing something
among the people and some are turned from the
Error of their ways. Satan seems very angry and
strives to hinder the work one way, or other. But
the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against [?the]
Church of Christ. _ My dear Aunt I shall never
I fear see you in the flesh again. I hope I shall
meet you in a happier World. I thought it a great
thing to be favoured to see you at Madely. Pray
for me. I cannot express how much I love you
May Jesus comfort and bless you, and his smile
animate your heart from Day to Day. I have
not heard of your picture yet. I wish I had it
in my house. _ Mr W. desires to be remembered
to you. Eliza John and Emma are all well thro
mercy. Marianne is in London, her Brother is near

her, and often sees her. Samuel I hope grows in
grace and seems taking root downwards. I have
much comfort in him. _ I trust he will come out
a burning and a shining light in time._

[change hand] = 1808
Whittingham [change hand ends]

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

[postmark "October 1808" at bottom right]

pray remember me to Miss Tooth, and all other
Friends I am Dear Aunt your very affectionate Niece
Mary Whittingham