4 January 1716, Mrs Elizabeth Howland to Miss Mary English

Description

A letter written from Streatham by Mrs Elizabeth Howland to her kinswoman Mrs Mary English on the eve of her departure for the East Indies, where she would later marry Mr Oadham. Mrs Howland describes the arrangements she has made on her young relation's behalf, having written to the minister of the place she is travelling to, to his wife, and to Captain Tawke, requesting that they act in place of parents and introduce Mary into respectable company. She also notes that Mr Lewis has agreed to recommend Mary to discreet gentlewomen of his acquaintance. The letter accompanied a box and parcel containing books of divinity, a laced head and ruffles for Mrs Tawke, and further letters of introduction. Mrs Howland exhorts Mary to maintain a virtuous character, to remain in the company of a respectable gentlewoman aboard ship, and to read her devotional books daily, reminding her that both her fortune and her reputation depend upon her conduct.