Samuel Davies, Hanover [Virginia], to Mercy Doddridge, Northampton, 28 April 1755.

Madm

             My endeared regard to the memory of the Dear Deceased (as you emphatically call him) & the affectionate friendship I contracted for you, in the few happy moments I spent in your Conversation, will  always render every friendly Office in my power most agreeable to me: And as you were so kind as to request a Letter from me, informing you of my safe Arrival in Virginia, I now remember my Promise, & most chearfully comply with it.

            Providence conducted me safe Home, thro’ the numerous Dangers of a tedious Winter Passage, on the 15 of last Feb. I had the inexpressible Satisfaction to find that my aged Parents, my tenderer & better Part, & the little growing Branches of myself, had been under the gracious Guardianship of Heaven, during my long & melancholy Absence. My Wife in particular, who notwithstanding the peculiar Tenderness & Affection of her Nature, had generously consented to my undertaking so important a mission for the public Good, was enabled to bear so severe a Trial, with surprizing Fortitude& Patience. And now, we are happy together in reviewing the various Blessings & Deliverances of Providence towards us – But I must not dwell long upon so tender a Subject, lest I should revive in your Mind such Images of the past scenes of your Life, as you will be hardly able to bear.

             I have often regretted, Madm, that I did not take a Copy of the significant Inscription on the Dr’s Monument in the Meeting House. I have now ^no^ other way to make up the loss, but to request you to favour me with a Copy of it; &, if you think proper, with an Account of the Author. I would always keep it as a valuable memorial of one of the dearest & best of Men.

             If ever my Heart breathes out an importunate Petition to Heaven, it is when I am commending you & your promising young Family to the Providence & Grace of your heavenly Father. I hope & pray, Madm, the supports of Christianity may always bear up your Spirit, under the Review of so uncommon a Bereavement; & that the surviving branches of so precious a Proof may flourish in Virtue & Piety, & spread a refreshing Shade over you, ’till you & they be transplanted into the Paradise of God. May your Maker be your Husband! & may the God of their Father be the God of your Seed!

             Pray present my most affectionate Compliments to Mr Doddridge [Philip Doddridge, Jr.] & the agreeable young Ladies, your Daughters. If the warmest Benevolence were not entirely impotent, you & they would often receive the Fruits of it.

             My dear Mrs Davies tenderly loves you, & sympathizes with you; & we often talk of you, ’till her Heart is ready to melt into Tears.

            My respectful Salutations to my worthy Friends Mr Gilbert & Mr Warburton, whom I shall always remember with Gratitude – 

                                     I am

                                                 Dr Madm

                                                             Your most affectionate humble Servt

                                                                         Saml Davies

Hanover

Apl 28. 1755

If you send a Letter for me to Mr Cruttenden of London, he can give it a safe Conveyance.

Address: none

Note on back page: Mr Davies  [answered] | June ye 20 1755 (in Mercy Doddridge’s hand)

Text: Ferdinand J. Dreer Autograph Collection, English Clergyman, American Clergy, Vol. II, Box 248, Folder 42, Historical Society of Pennsylvania.