The following is a letter dated 1794 to a Mr Hancock, Attourney at Law, of Wiveliscombe from William Ridler at Stowey. The letter details the recovery from illness of a Stowey couple (we assume), the Stevens.
The Hancocks were a well known family in Wiveliscombe, a William Hancock being founder of a brewery there in 1807. William Hancock was also co-founder of a public dispensery in that town at around this time - which may shed some light as to why this letter was written, although the Mr Hancock in the letter may not be the same person. (see the Wiveliscombe web-site for more details).
Further than this we know no more. If anyone has any information as to why this letter might have been written we would be pleased to hear from you.
" Mr Hancock, Attorney at Law , Wiveliscombe."
Postmark: fine two-line BRIDGE / WATER 32mm + 12mm BCC SO 220 (used 1788 – 04). Below is 'SP 26' arrival mark used by Hancocks.
"Dear Sir, Mrs Stevens is something better, and taken a glass of wine every hour with a bit of bread in it; I believe she has drank a pint of wine in that way. Mr Blake sent a letter to Doctor Duning yesterday and the answer he received was that Mrs Stevens must have on a Blister and if Mr Blake wished him to come out he should let him know this morning by 10 o'clock – Doctor Duning is not sent for therefore I concluded. Mr Blake himself thinks she is better Mrs Steven's breakfast was a pint of milk - and some rum in it."
"Mr Stevens is better since he took the Emetic made a hearty breakfast and is [rode?] out – Mrs Stevens is better every day.
I am Dear Sir
Yours sincerely
William Ridler
Stowey 26th September 1794"
Our thanks to Mervyn Todd of the 'Books for Life' charity of Nether Stowey for loaning us this letter for publication.
