Copy of Letter

Scope and Content

From E. Seward at Badsey to 'my dear [Robinson] cousins'. He has just received two letters from brother William [Seward], the last of which was from Windsor. He finds from them that they have had no account of his [E. Seward] arrival at Badsey. They found his dear mother very well and the rest of the family is in good health. He trusts that their [his correspondents] dear mother Mrs Robinson is no worse. His brother [William] Seward was in the 'Woodland' a little time before they arrived and left their friends well. Seward’s uncle has a good opinion of William and George Whitefield and wants brother William to bring Whitefield to Boursley[?] for he would like to meet him. Spiritual matters are discussed in detail. Even with spiritual support, it is still their duty to 'use our endeavours and therefore be pleased to go to the apothecary’s you were with before, for some pills put in a little bag and inclosed in the frank, I have herewith sent you. I was at Flatbury at my Lord’s hay day [The Sewards had close connection with the family of Lord Windsor for whom William’s father worked as steward or estate manager. It was customary for at least one son to follow his father’s employment] yesterday and completed my business there to satisfaction, having received near £200.I intend to go soon to our worthy bishop to pay him his rent due from that estate. My cousin Sally is here at present, so that we live very happy, having a religious society in my brother Benjamin’s room almost every night, besides that in public twice a week, which my brother Benjamin constantly attends upon and I believe he finds great satisfaction from it.'

In a postscript, Seward passes on his mother’s thanks for the very kind present.