1779 May 2

 
My dear Madam
 
I received your favour but last night and tomorrow morning I must return to Leicester on my way home. Dr Ford’s Curate is called into Yorkshire by the illness of a brother, [1] and it is not practicable for me to procure a supply for Olney next Sunday. I believe if your letter had come last week, our very earnest desire of seeing you, would have prompted us to make a push – But now we can only wish it were in our power. We should be happy to receive you and Mr Gardiner at Olney. We join in best respects to you both, and Dr and Mrs Ford join with us. They bid me say they shall be very glad to see you and Mr Gardiner. They have no expectation of being much from home this summer but they would wish to be apprised of your coming a few days beforehand, that they may be certainly upon the spot. I have preached three times today and it is now late, [2] therefore I must break off, with an assurance that I am
Madam
Your most obedient obliged servant
J Newton
 
Melton ye 2nd May [1779]

[to]
Mrs Gardiner
Leasingham
near Sleaford
Lincolnshire


Endnotes:
 
 [1] William Mozeen (c.1736-1796), Dr Ford’s curate at Melton Mowbray from 1775 to 1792. Ford noted that Mozeen died suddenly ‘in his chair’ at Great Hale, Lincolnshire, where he was curate. Mozeen was buried on 2 November 1796 at St John the Baptist, Great Hale.
[2] Newton preached ten times while at Melton Mowbray, including once in a nearby village.

Acknowledgements:
Morgan Museum and Library MA 733.9

14/05/2026