May 1, 1771 — to Mrs. Mary Bright the Foundery, Near Upper Moorfields

A Mr. Andrews had written to Asbury evidently asking him to find a schoolmistress. It occurred to Asbury that Mrs. Bright might be able to fill the position, and he wrote the following letter from Basingstoke. Asbury was admitted on trial in 1767. His appointments were Bedfordshire; helper to James Glassbrook, 1767; Essex, 1768; Bedfordshire, 1769; South Wiltshire, 1770. In 1770 Richard Whatcoat succeeded him in Bedfordshire. BASINGSTOKE, ENGLAND¹

May 1, 1771

[TO MRS. MARY BRIGHT² THE FOUNDERY, NEAR

UPPER MOORFIELDS]

My dear Sister:

Grace and peace be multiplied to you, so that you may be kept in the evil day and be upheld, by the everlasting arms, thro’ all trials, inward and outward. I had a letter from a friend of mine, Mr. Andrews,³ in Hertford, in it he gave me an account of a person he had had in his house for a school mistress, but he had turned her away and I judge he must want another. I think it would do for you. Observe that he is a person that has a school under his own roof, at his own expence, for boys and girls. He has a man to teach the boys and I suppose wants a woman for the girls. They are very spiritual people, they are well known at the Foundery. It (Hertford) is but 20 miles from London. You may write to him to know his mind and to know on what terms he will take you, and what your work must be, what the children must be taught, and then you will know whether you can do it. I have thought of it some time as I have been looking out for you, but I did not think you would have gone to London so soon but I take the first opportunity to write. You may make use of my name and tell him I directed you. The direction to Him must be thus: To Mr. Abraham Andrews, a Carpenter in Castle Street, Hertford.

From one that wishes you well and is your friend and Brother, F. ASBURY

Christian Miscellany, 1864, 252. Transcribed by Frank Baker