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July 20, 1811 letter from William Griffin to Thomas Haweis

July 20, 1811 first page of letter from William Griffin to Thomas Haweis

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Title	July 20, 1811 letter from William Griffin to Thomas Haweis
Post Date	July 20, 1811
Author	William Griffin
Recipient	Thomas Haweis (1734-1820)
Date	1811-07-20
Physical Description	5 pp. total; 4 pp. text; 1 p. address
Dimensions	21.6 x 31.9 cm
Location (Box, Folder)	Box 1, File 50
Address To	Bath
Country To	England
Address From	Thrapston
Country From	England
Notes	Also a copy of William Griffin's letter to Miss Emilia Powys, Thrapston, July 19, 1811
Digital Resources Type	Image
Digitization Date	Digitized: 2012
Digitization Process	Digitization process: Derivatives resized at 4030 pixels in height or width
Digital Publisher	Bridwell Library, Special Collections; Perkins School of Theology; Southern Methodist University
Rights	Permission to publish materials must be obtained from the Head of Special Collections of the Bridwell Library
Decade	1810-1819

Title	July 20, 1811 first page of letter from William Griffin to Thomas Haweis
Post Date	July 20, 1811
Author	William Griffin
Recipient	Thomas Haweis (1734-1820)
Date	1811-07-20
Physical Description	5 pp. total; 4 pp. text; 1 p. address
Dimensions	21.6 x 31.9 cm
Location (Box, Folder)	Box 1, File 50
Address To	Bath
Country To	England
Address From	Thrapston
Country From	England
Transcriber	Gareth Lloyd
Plain Text Transcription	Thrapston July 20 1811 Dr Haweis, Reverend and Dear Sir, In my last, I wrote you what I thought you immediately needed as a clue to guide your present conduct in your treaty with Mr Powys. When Mr L. P. [Llewellyn Powys?] first mentioned to me his designs of his own house, my passions took fire and I was so involved in thought, I saw everything of so pleasing and advantage(sic) a nature that passion was transported beyond the reach and bounds of reason, but upon cool and deliberate consideration, I judge the union very desireable to obtain in point of interest and usefulness. Mr and Mrs Powys and sisters are singular instances of the power and display of God’s sovereignity. I mean for their evangelical views and experience of God’s grace. As a proof of this remark, a report was spread through Thrapston that a popular gentleman was to preach at Titchmarsh on Sabbath eve at 6 ‘clock. Several went from Thrapston and a friend conveyed me. I was not willing to lose my journey and I stayed to hear Miss E.P. [Emilia Powys?] I judge men and women, there was 70 if not 80 hearers, I suffered no loss by the minister not coming. I was charmed and edified. Miss P. retained all the modesty belonging to the sex, while she enforced the necessity of feeling the importance of the Apostle’s following words, namely ”The carnal mind is enmity against God, is not subject to his law, neither indeed can it be.” (Romans 8:7) [She] struck at the whole body of sin and showed [how] one vile affection might check another and a sense of decency might hold a curb upon all, but if it is one thing to have the wild bull chained, [it is] another to have the lion changed into the lamb and except the love of God was shed abroad in the heart, nothing else could quench the love of sin. I think I never yet beheld so much of God and so little of [unreadable word] in any young person in my pilgrimage before. I cannot particularize all the wonders of God’s grace lately displayed at [Thrapston] and in this neighbourhood. I can with astonishment and thankfulness say “Lo, this has God wrought and it is marvellous in the eyes of many”. I must now explain what I only hinted of in a former letter. To you, since Mr P. [Powys?] has become thoughtful, Satan being angry at the loss of a subject, as stirred up his agents to throw as many stumbling blocks in the way of his lost subjects as possible. It looks as if he was at a loss for fresh accusations and and therefore he has revived old ones, namely, some of his agents had been perplexing Mr P.’s mind about [the] Aldwincle living. The first time I was at Mr P’s house, he gentleman-like said he had some questions to ask me before we parted, but if not convenient, he did not desire me to answer them. I replied, I would pay due attention to any question Mr P. proposed and answer to the best of my knowledge without any equivocation. I did, much to Mr P’s satisfaction for which he thanked me and added I had greatly relieved his mind. When that good woman Mr Prach(?) was with me on on Wednesday morning while reading your letter, I told her as they broke bread last Sabbath, I had a greater mind to [unreadable word] Mr P. [to] Dr [Haweis] on the Sacrament, but was fearful the meat would prove too strong, but she replied I need not have feared, they had it and preferred it before any they had seen. She said many pleasing things as Miss P. had told her, but then I must reserve(?) for to relate to some friends (and not to Dr ??). I forgot to say in my last that Mr [Frederick Powys] offered to take furniture as he wanted of your’s at a fair valuation, he choosing one and you another. He has but a great many goods and a hope at Mr Middleton’ sale at [unreadable place name] and I understand [this] occasioned great distress and many words in the family. This agreement as Councillor Brampton so much reprobates, has I am certain been [unreadable word] through my Lord’s and families ears and as Mr Mcdowall (brother of Elizabeth Haweis) is different and I [am?] on the spot they make me the scape goat as they load too heavy. Respecting your furniture and its value, Mr McDowall is I presume not acquainted with. I very strongly suspect was they to be sold by auction when expenses are deducted, I [doubt] whether they would make half the money. I have sir my reasons unknown fully to anyone. Considering the change lately taken place in some part of the family and as you, Mr McDowell and self appears once more set on rising ground, weighing all circumstances I took the liberty of writing to Miss [Emilia] Powys a letter which I am persuaded will be a family one. A copy which you have on the other side. I am not fond of complaciness(sic) but I can assure you my situation has been very unpleasant with the whole family till of late(sic) I have not met with any of them but they wore a new face. I am confident Selby has been prohibited by his Lord from entering my house, for after repeated promises in the market and elsewhere I do not recollect, I have seen him enter my house till the 28th of last May and then he brought [Mr] Coales with him to prevent any converse.If you can get clear of Mr F.P. [Frederick Powys?] peaceably you will meet with the best of treatment from Mr L.P. [Llewellyn Powys?] and I think the union [is] very desireable and for mutual good and advantage. The very thought at first transported me and as Mr L.P. was always the families favourite and what he used to say was with my Lord as law. Mr L.P. and family has dined with my Lord since his return from London and I hope the friendliness will not be wholly dissolved [and] confirmed as well. Mr L.P. [has] more influence to do good (sic) – this change in his family and such a low let down in the nature of things must prove a great mortification to his Lordship and part of the family. The [unreadable word] which some of these pious Baptist parsons has impressed(?) into the minds of the people of Aldwincle has been operating like leaven, but I have some reasons to think [that] has nearly spent. It felt about 2 weeks past, H. Coales in the street gave smilingly his full hand. I asked him to walk to my house which he said he had no objection to, provided I would promise to screen him from Mrs G’s(?) [Griffin’s] resentment which I promised to do. He stayed more than half an hour, read of [unreadable name] they say is become a praying spiritual man. H. Coales and Abbot and [unreadable name] have given notice to resign their lease(?) at Thrapston and offered at [unreadable word] and Crawford and many more will follow when this [ureadable word] to Aldwincle. The great Mr Knight of Titchmarsh called on me Tuesday last, saying Mr P. [Powys?] had given them such a farewell sermon as convinced him it was theflock he was concerned for, not the fleece altogether. [unreadable word] was last Sabbath and there was two sisters and brother groaning ad crying what has this Mr P. done – neither brother nor sister comes near us thought we had provided as [unreadable word] this no year’s past. The two old maidens sat knee to knee lamenting the loss of their Sunday visitors. Miss Baker and Salmons pipingly(?) say the poor gentleman will certainly be at Dr Welles’s very soon. They really think he is a well-meaning man, but certainly touched in the brain. The Reverend Mr Hodson gave me a fairwell call and Mr P.’s family engrossed(?) part of the [unreadable word] and I took the liberty of saying if you would wish Sir to keep your congregation together and increase your number, you should have a curate of Mr Powys’ sentiments and diligence in the discharge of his office. He replied I spoke to Mr Grimshaw to provide me a curate. I placed a silent [squiggle] against the truth of that, but I hope the gentleman will pardon me. I had no right to question or to place the above [squiggle]. Mr P. assured him Mr Grimshaw told him it was true. Wonders will never cease. Mr L.P. [Llewllyn Powys] senior of Achurch called on me some weeks past to know how his nephew did. I replied he was laid aside on the Sunday but I hoped he was better. I took the liberty of saying I wished every clergyman followed his nephew’s example and I thought his neices was engaged in a work as resounded much to their honor. He thought so too, saying good by the [two unreadable words] are revived and all alive with this subject. I know a certain clergyman as says his flock decreases but he consoles himself by saying they cannot diminish his fleece. I hope business will be so conducted as our ground may keep rising in the Powys family. I am aware you will be pressed with some difficulties, was your furniture to be sold what must you do should a change hereafter take place respecting a curate, for this world abounds with contingence(sic). As Mr F. [Frederick]Powys before his sisters(?) promises to quit at the shortest notice, I fear if he is denied, offence will be taken, however Sir, as you are in full possession of every information in my power to give, I must leave it to your better judgement how to act in future. Mrs [Griffin] joins in love to self, Mrs H. and family, joined with best wishes for the increase of your comfort and usefulness is the sincere wish of your [humble] servant William Griffin. P.S I have made all enquiry possible into the nature of this property tax and my mind has been much perplexed and I cannot, if my life was to be forfeited, comprehend nor explain it though it appears strange that your receipt will not exempt from any further claims. Yet if you have 20 I believe it will be sound not to do it, please to write to Mr Meadows whom I spoke too the 4 last May and he will explain it. I can do [no] more at it [as] I am puzzled out of measure. I shall be much gratified Sir, he will pay due attention I am satisfied. If you can so manage to get peaceably clear(?) with Mr F.P. [Frederick Powys] and to finish finally it will be well and I hope no ground will be lost as is at present covered. I have given every information in my power and I think the increase of the Redeemer’s kingdom is preferable to any party connections whatever. Mrs [Griffin] is much better but her illness has left behind a troublesome cough. She rejoices with me that your small family affords such comfort and pleasure to you and Mrs [Haweis]. I verily think with you, God designs him for some great work on earth or to [words missing due to a rip in the paper] a better world. The same views I certainly entertain for Mr L.P. – nature has been very friendly to him, has gven him naturally a strong mind, a clear and musical voice and he gives out a hymn admirably. Indeed he last Sabbath preached a funeral sermon [and] though I did not hear him, I heard [word missing due to a rip in the paper] and he set the charge he had received of the souls of men and the obligations as was upon him and the responsibility to be faithful in the discharge of his duty to them in declaring to them the truth as it was in Jesus with so much Christian affection as drew tears from many and did not confine himself wholly to his notes but gave now and then vent to a [unreadable word] as occurred. The 2 curates now in view, one is Mr Gorham(?) recommended by Mr [word missing due to a rip in the paper] and Mr [Richard Ash] Hannaford (Curate at Aldwincle. Later served as Vicar of Irthlingborough and as a Rural Dean) recommended by Dr [Nathaniel] Bridges.Their united choice if they can obtain him is Mr Gorham. You need be in no fear of Mr L.P. [Llewellyn Powys] making a wrong or trifling choice of a curate. Mr L.P. is stripped of a linsey, woolsey garment and wishes to wear his livery [words missing due to a rip in the paper] King’s best robe. There is also the appearance of several blossoms of Titchmarsh which I hope will bear fruit in God’s good time. I dined with Addingborough, the most [unreadable word] farmer in town and I do not entertain a doubt of him though I fear a refractory companion.. Your engagements are of such a nature as I am sensible must engage most of your thoughts or otherwise [word obscured by a mark in the paper] Copy of a letter wrote to Miss Emilia Powys after writing my remarks on Mr F.P. [unreadable word] To the honorable Miss Emila Powys Thrapston July 19 1811 Madam, As I am fully convinced of Mr L.P.’s uprightness and integrity, I need nothing more than Mr P’s words fully to satisfy my mind of the truth of whatever Mr P. is pleased to assert and if I understand matters aright Dr [Haweis] is willing to abide by what Mr L.P. and you ladies thought equitable and right. The Reverend Mr F.P. [Frederick Powys] I presume has nothing to fear of any undue advantage being taken. If any mistake has been made by Mr P. to effect the interest either of Mr P. or family, I presume Dr [Haweis] would abhor the thought much more the act. Real Christians act from different motives and are governed by much nobler principles (though the world judge otherwise). I wrote to the Dr [Haweis] today and am fully persuaded anything the Dr could do where his own interest was not materially affected would give him a pleasure to serve Mr F.P. In this firm persuasion and pleasure [I] hope I rest fully satisfied and remain your most obedient servant. William Griffin. (1 sheet, 4p.)
Digital Resources Type	Image
Digitization Date	Digitized: 2012
Digitization Process	Digitization process: Derivatives resized at 4030 pixels in height or width
Digital Publisher	Bridwell Library, Special Collections; Perkins School of Theology; Southern Methodist University
Rights	Permission to publish materials must be obtained from the Head of Special Collections of the Bridwell Library
Decade	1810-1819

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July 20, 1811 letter from William Griffin to Thomas Haweis

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