Notes
- Anne Vigor was a close personal friend of the Wesleys, and one of the earliest converts in Bristol. A lady of some means she provided hospitality to many of the preachers, and left over £100 in bequests to the Wesley family upon her death in 1774. Despite her obvious significance in the early history of Bristol Methodism, she has left little trace in the printed sources. Source: Rylands Wesley family collection.
- William Lunell was a wealthy Dublin banker of Huguenot origin. He was one of the first Methodist converts in Dublin, and his status within the community made him a valuable asset. Both John and Charles Wesley stayed with him during their visits to the city. Source: C. H. Crookshank, History of Methodism in Ireland, Volume 1, 1885.
From Joseph Cownley in Newcastle to Charles Wesley. It has been God's will to lately give Cownley a bitter cup from which to drink. His dear wife has died 'without my being so much as permitted to bid her farewell'. He left her on March 18th in order to spend a week with the Alnwick Society. At that time she was as well as can be expected for a woman in her pregnant condition. Her 'lie-in' was due to commence at the beginning of April. She was taken ill the day after Cownley left, which was a Saturday, and on the Wednesday evening following, she died 'perfectly sensible and in great peace' after giving birth.
It is hard to believe, but no-one thought of informing Cownley of his wife's condition, despite the fact that the post for Alnwick leaves Newcastle almost every day of the week. Indeed, the day before she died, she herself sent her husband a line informing him that she had been confined to her bed, and that her labour might commence. In response to her letter, Cownley left for home but she died a few hours after he received her letter. After she had passed away his friends sent an 'express' for him which he met with on the road. 'None that have not my feelings can judge what spears and daggers went thro my heart when I saw and kissed her in her shroud'.
This bitter blow has not turned Cownley against God.
In a postscript he asks that if this letter reaches Charles Wesley in Bristol, he should be remembered to his good friends [Anne] Vigor and her sisters, and [William] and Mrs Lunell.
The bearer of this letter is unknown to Charles Wesley, but has been a faithful labourer' for many years and is worthy of respect for his uprightness and integrity.