Letter
1994/1963
1750-1800 / Document / John Wesley / Letter / Ministers, Preachers & Associates / Paper
Paper; ink
John Wesley to Ann Smith and Joseph Whitehead at the new Room, Bristol., June 16th, 1769
A double letter written by John Wesley to Ann Smith and Joseph Whitehead. The letter is interesting in that John Wesley addresses Ann Smith and Joseph Whitehead individually but Wesley talks in both letters of engagement and marriage. Presumably, the recipients were each other's love interest. It is notable that Wesley urges both parties not to enter an engagement or marriage hastily, perhaps reflecting on his own failed marriage.
The letter also illustrates John Wesley's comparatively free use of the word 'love'; this was one of the bones of contention between him and his wife Mary ('Molly') Vazeille Wesley. On several occasions Molly read John's letters and appears to have taken John's declarations literally, suspecting him of carrying on affairs.
John Wesley to Ann Smith and Joseph Whitehead at the new Room, Bristol., June 16th, 1769
A double letter written by John Wesley to Ann Smith and Joseph Whitehead. The letter is interesting in that John Wesley addresses Ann Smith and Joseph Whitehead individually but Wesley talks in both letters of engagement and marriage. Presumably, the recipients were each other's love interest. It is notable that Wesley urges both parties not to enter an engagement or marriage hastily, perhaps reflecting on his own failed marriage.
The letter also illustrates John Wesley's comparatively free use of the word 'love'; this was one of the bones of contention between him and his wife Mary ('Molly') Vazeille Wesley. On several occasions Molly read John's letters and appears to have taken John's declarations literally, suspecting him of carrying on affairs.
