7.    17 July 1795            


[to Mrs Ring, Reading, Berks][‘July 95’ added by another]
 
My dear Madam
 
I return your Jehovah Jireh and Ebenezer. [1] You sent us the first news of the fire. [2] We join you in praising the Lord, who preserved your persons, and dwellings, and upheld your spirits in the trying hour. May we learn to trust Him at all times!
 
I wrote to Mr Pentycross [3] this morning – have since heard that he is now in Town. But as his church is still at Wallingford, it will make no alteration in my plan. [4] Though it would have pleased me to find him at home.
 
I bought half a coach yesterday which I hope will land us safely at your door on Thursday evening [5] – perhaps we shall find the kettle boiling.
 
Pray that the Lord may give us a happy and profitable meeting. When we see you and Mr Ring, we will try to convince you that we are your affectionate and obliged
 
J Newton
E Catlett [6]
 
No. 6    17 July Evening [1795]


Endnotes:
 
 [1] Ebenezer was a tune written by the Rev Thomas Bowman of Martham specifically for a hymn by Newton for his wife for their 25th wedding anniversary. Newton addressed the hymn ‘To my dearest dear, on the return of our Wedding Day 12 February 1775.’ Newton had visited Bowman in Norfolk in 1768, ten years after Bowman had been appointed vicar of Martham. The music, poem and 5 Anniversary Hymns respecting her death (1791-1795) were published in 1800 by C Wittingham, London, as Ebenezer: A Memorial of the Lord’s Unchangeable Goodness under Changing Dispensations, written on the occasion of the removal of a valuable and much-endeared wife, on December 15, 1790. Newton to John Campbell 22 February 1792: ‘I printed the Ebenezers that I might offer a copy to my friends’.
Jehovah Jireh ‘The Lord will provide’ is the title of Newton’s hymn Though troubles assail (Olney Hymns, Book 1, Hymn 7), written for 5 February 1775 (notably between his wife’s birthday on the 2nd and their wedding anniversary on the 12th). See also letter of 22 January 1808 – immediately after her ‘Papa’s’ death, Betsy recalled singing that hymn the last time they were in Basingstoke.
[2] The Reading Mercury of Monday 13 July 1795 gives a harrowing account of ‘a violent and very serious affray’ between some inhabitants and some Irish Dragoons quartered there ‘on Monday afternoon’, presumably 6 July. It was so desperate that ‘it was in vain the Mayor and other reputable inhabitants, at the risk of their lives, endeavoured to stop it; the soldiers cut and knocked down indiscriminately everyone they met’. Fortunately the Reading Volunteers were exercising in the Forbury, behind the Rings’ Market Place house. They marched with bayonets fixed and on the command to load ball cartridges everyone fled ‘and the populace vented their fury on every soldier they could find, and beat them with little mercy’. The Volunteers guarded the streets throughout the night.
[3] Thomas Pentycross (1748-1808), rector of Wallingford. Newton corresponded with him and preached for him. Thomas Scott (1747-1821) preached his Funeral Sermon at St Mary’s Wallingford from Hebrews 13:7,8.
[4] Newton’s Travel Diary for 1800 (MS2943) records that he ‘lodged’ with Pentycross in Wallingford on 12 July and preached morning and evening for him at St Mary’s the following day. He had known him for many years.
[5] The mail coaches had an average speed of 7-8mph in the summer (5mph in winter). An armed guard accompanied the mail. There was room for four passengers inside, so Newton’s purchase of half a coach was for two passengers – himself and Betsy, with no maid accompanying them. A post coach departed from the Black Lion Inn, Water Lane, every morning at eight, calling at the George Inn, very close to Market Square. Other coaching Inns were the Crown and the Bear.
[6] Elizabeth [Betsy] Catlett, qv, Newton’s niece, and adopted daughter.
 
Acknowledgements:
Descendants of Sophia Ring
British Library
Lambeth Palace Library