Letter from John Wesley to Ann (‘Nancy’) Smith
1750-1800 / Document / John Wesley / Letter / Ministers, Preachers & Associates / Paper
Ink on paper
16th June 1769
A letter written by John Wesley to Ann ('Nancy') Smith in 1769. Wesley speaks repeatedly of love for the recipient, and offers her accommodation - 'whether single or married' - at Kingswood or Bristol.
Wesley felt deep spiritual comradeship with a number of women but these relationships were not sexual. However, taken out of context it is easy to see why intimate letters such as this one led to arguments in Wesley's marriage to Mary ('Molly') Vazeille. Molly was an independent woman, by all accounts rather jealous, too, and she was convinced such letters were proof of his infidelity.
16th June 1769
A letter written by John Wesley to Ann ('Nancy') Smith in 1769. Wesley speaks repeatedly of love for the recipient, and offers her accommodation - 'whether single or married' - at Kingswood or Bristol.
Wesley felt deep spiritual comradeship with a number of women but these relationships were not sexual. However, taken out of context it is easy to see why intimate letters such as this one led to arguments in Wesley's marriage to Mary ('Molly') Vazeille. Molly was an independent woman, by all accounts rather jealous, too, and she was convinced such letters were proof of his infidelity.
