From J[ohn] Sell at the vicarage at Milwich near Stone, Staffordshire, to Mary Tooth in Madeley. He is taking this liberty of sending a few lines via Mr Webb. He would be grateful to know if there is an available curacy in the Madeley neighbourhood as he is ‘not very comfortable in my present situation. If you recollect, I saw you about eight years ago at Mrs Fletcher’s when you showed me the place in which Mrs Fletcher exhorted.’
He wants to be rendered useful in the Lord’s work. Sell has a family and would therefore prefer a parish with a vicarage. Is the curacy at Madeley likely to become vacant any time soon?
‘You are indefatigable I doubt not in labouring for souls. I have a particular respect for the Methodists, having been so much among them previous to my ordination’
[Mary Tooth’s annotation]