Letter

Scope and Content

Incomplete letter to Mr R[ichard] Williams. [It is clear from internal evidence that this letter could not have been written by Sarah Ryan. The identity of the author is unknown, but it is possible that it was dictated by Mary Fletcher to an ammanuensis.]

She has long entertained the hope of meeting her dear friends at Madeley Wood tomorrow night, but her cough has grown steadily worse and she is now bringing up blood. She would be grateful if Williams could ensure, ‘as you have taken much pains to publish my being with you’, that the people are informed of her enforced absence. Also, Mrs Aston should be told, as she and her ‘scholars’ often attend. ‘And if little John Curliss would let them of the Loyds and Coalport know.’

Reference is made to the recurrence of her bleeding. The doctor says that she must not accompany ‘my dear, dear friend’ to the Dale. Mrs Yate is to go with an unnamed female instead. The correspondent asks Williams to ‘speak to Mr Hughes that the curtain may be put up on that window were she set. You will take care to see her safe through the Room, also up and down the steps, safe in and out of the cart, when she hath got there you’ll look at the Dale clock and let her know the time, and see the windows are open to air the room, keep near her seat while there and then you will be ready if she should want anything. But oh what do I feel when I look back at the many ingagements I have had with the people…if I am never more permitted to speak to them again may the Lord send such of his dear servants out as will win many, many souls to God.

[The letter is probably dated in the early 19th century, and possibly after 1807 in which year Williams became a chapel trustee 57 The name ‘Wesley’ is added on the back of the letter in an 18th century hand – probably that of Mary Fletcher. That the letter was sent to John, rather than Charles, is indicated by internal evidence.]

Note

  • Richard Williams (d.1832) was a brazier in Ludlow, Shropshire. Despite opposition he was a member of the Methodist society in Ludlow for many years and served as a chapel trustee at Madeley Wood from 1807. Nevertheless he was not fully converted until a short time before his death which occurred in June 1832. Williams had been acquainted with the prominent female evangelists Mary Bosanquet-Fletcher and Mary Tooth. Source: Arminian Magazine 1832, 689 and Fletcher-Tooth collection (MARC)

Note

Note

  • Richard Williams (d.1832) was a brazier in Ludlow, Shropshire. Despite opposition he was a member of the Methodist society in Ludlow for many years and served as a chapel trustee at Madeley Wood from 1807. Nevertheless he was not fully converted until a short time before his death which occurred in June 1832. Williams had been acquainted with the prominent female evangelists Mary Bosanquet-Fletcher and Mary Tooth. Source: Arminian Magazine 1832, 689 and Fletcher-Tooth collection (MARC)