Collection

Charles Wesley family papers

The collection consists of materials relating to Charles Wesley and the Wesley family from 1740-1864. The materials include correspondence and writings. The correspondence of Sarah Wesley (b. 1760) is with family and friends (mostly with her mother, Sarah G. Wesley, and her brother, Samuel Wesley) and pertains to family activities, travel, and beliefs. A later addition of correspondence between Charles Wesley and organist John Langshaw, pertains to Methodism, the American Revolution, and London musicians and music teachers. Other materials include Sarah Wesley's personal writings, Sarah G. Wesley's poetic psalms, and a manuscript version of Charles Wesley's poetic version of the Psalms. The greater part of the volume is in the hand of John Perronet, an associate of Wesley. The last twelve pages are in Wesley's hand.

Abstract
Consists of the correspondence and other unpublished manuscripts of the Methodist leader Charles Wesley and his family.
Extent
2.5 cubic feet
Finding Aid
Manuscript Collection No. 159
See also
Wesleyana Collection (Emory Digital Collections)
View Full Collection
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, relating her voyage from Dover to Calais, describing her severe sea-sickness, sharing about her trip to the National Church and the Benedictines, describing the town of Calais and her lodgings, relating her trip to the Dominican Convent, and asking her mother to write as soon as she receives this letter.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, Calais

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1792-05-27
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, relating her voyage from Dover to Calais, describing her severe sea-sickness, sharing about her trip to the National Church and the Benedictines, describing the town of Calais and her lodgings, relating her trip to the Dominican Convent, and asking her mother to write as soon as she receives this letter.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to her brother, Samuel, describing her arrival in Dover and the town in general, sharing her hopes for a quick passage to Calais, telling of a visit with Mr. Perronet in Canterbury, and expressing her gratitude for having such a good travel companion.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Samuel Wesley, Dover

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1792-05-25
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to her brother, Samuel, describing her arrival in Dover and the town in general, sharing her hopes for a quick passage to Calais, telling of a visit with Mr. Perronet in Canterbury, and expressing her gratitude for having such a good travel companion.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to her brother, Charles, letting him know she has left Rochester for Calais via Canterbury and Dover, passing on an invitation to meet her back in Rochester in a month along with their mother if she is well, and giving a quick update on her health.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Charles Wesley, en route to Calais

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1792-05-25
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to her brother, Charles, letting him know she has left Rochester for Calais via Canterbury and Dover, passing on an invitation to meet her back in Rochester in a month along with their mother if she is well, and giving a quick update on her health.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to Patty Moore thanking her for her family's kindness, sharing news of Mr. Gilbert and his current work, asking if Sarah might visit her in Bath, and expressing her wish to further their friendship.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Patty Moore, Chesterfield Street, [London]

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1792-02-06
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to Patty Moore thanking her for her family's kindness, sharing news of Mr. Gilbert and his current work, asking if Sarah might visit her in Bath, and expressing her wish to further their friendship.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, giving an update on her plans to return to London via Canterbury, expressing her concerns about the sale of her uncle's sermons, asking after her brother, Charles, sharing her experience of accidentally taking too high a dose of laudanum, asking after the weather in London and sharing news of the wonderful weather in Margate, and asking after some friends.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, Margate

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1791-11-10
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, giving an update on her plans to return to London via Canterbury, expressing her concerns about the sale of her uncle's sermons, asking after her brother, Charles, sharing her experience of accidentally taking too high a dose of laudanum, asking after the weather in London and sharing news of the wonderful weather in Margate, and asking after some friends.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, explaining the unexpected circumstances of her first few days in Rochester, sharing her plans for returning to London, giving an update on her health and treatments, and describing her visit to the Canterbury Cathedral to attend a service.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, Canterbury

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1791-06
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, explaining the unexpected circumstances of her first few days in Rochester, sharing her plans for returning to London, giving an update on her health and treatments, and describing her visit to the Canterbury Cathedral to attend a service.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to her brother, Samuel, sharing her views on love and expressing her hope that Samuel might change his outlook on it, giving an update on their aunt's worsening health, describing a party she attended by the sea which was cut short due to weather and the delightful chaos that weather caused, and asking that Samuel not hesitate to write.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Samuel Wesley, Margate

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1791-06-16
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to her brother, Samuel, sharing her views on love and expressing her hope that Samuel might change his outlook on it, giving an update on their aunt's worsening health, describing a party she attended by the sea which was cut short due to weather and the delightful chaos that weather caused, and asking that Samuel not hesitate to write.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to her brother, Samuel, discussing lingering anger between him and their late father over a relationship Samuel had been asked to break off, explaining her views on marriage and asking him to consider why he is so resistant to the idea of marrying the woman he is having a relationship with, asking whether he would like to read with her some evening, and reminiscing about their uncle. Sarah includes a quotation from Horace's Epistles Book 1, poem 18, "percontatorem fugito, nam garrulus idem est, / nec retinent patulae commissa fideliter aures" which translates to "avoid the inquirers, for [they] are also talkative (betray secrets), nor [are] wide open ears reliably trusted."
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Samuel Wesley, Margate

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1791-05-27
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to her brother, Samuel, discussing lingering anger between him and their late father over a relationship Samuel had been asked to break off, explaining her views on marriage and asking him to consider why he is so resistant to the idea of marrying the woman he is having a relationship with, asking whether he would like to read with her some evening, and reminiscing about their uncle.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, discussing the arrival of Mrs. Anderdon and their living arrangements, providing and update on her health and continued treatment, sharing that Gilbert has returned, asking whether her mother has ever visited Mrs. Anderdon's house in London and conveys that the invitation to visit remains open, and assuring that she will write to her brothers soon.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, Margate

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1791-05-25
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, discussing the arrival of Mrs. Anderdon and their living arrangements, providing and update on her health and continued treatment, sharing that Gilbert has returned, asking whether her mother has ever visited Mrs. Anderdon's house in London and conveys that the invitation to visit remains open, and assuring that she will write to her brothers soon.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, describing her night spent in Canterbury on her way to Margate, asking her mother to write a note of thanks to Mr. Perronet, describing her arrival in Margate and anticipation of being joined by Mrs. Ander[d]on soon, asking for some tea and sugar to be sent, giving an update on her finances, and wishing her family well.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, Margate

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1791-05-20
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, describing her night spent in Canterbury on her way to Margate, asking her mother to write a note of thanks to Mr. Perronet, describing her arrival in Margate and anticipation of being joined by Mrs. Ander[d]on soon, asking for some tea and sugar to be sent, giving an update on her finances, and wishing her family well.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to her brother, Samuel, asking about his health, detailing her opinion on the treatement of servants, providing an update on Gilbert's well-being and safe travel to Dover, and sharing her travel plans for the next few weeks.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Samuel Wesley, Rochester

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1791-05-14
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to her brother, Samuel, asking about his health, detailing her opinion on the treatement of servants, providing an update on Gilbert's well-being and safe travel to Dover, and sharing her travel plans for the next few weeks.
  • A letter from Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley to her daughter, Sarah, expressing concern over her daughter's health, reporting on several visits from various acquaintances, discussing a visit by Lord and Lady Andrews to hear her son, Charles, play, sharing the news of Mrs. Dyer's passing, and sending along news and well-wishes from friends.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley to Sarah Wesley

    Wesley, Sarah Gwynne, 1726-1822
    Date
    1791-01-23
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley to her daughter, Sarah, expressing concern over her daughter's health, reporting on several visits from various acquaintances, discussing a visit by Lord and Lady Andrews to hear her son, Charles, play, sharing the news of Mrs. Dyer's passing, and sending along news and well-wishes from friends.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, giving an update on her various health conditions and the treatments recommended by Mr. Slater, describing the Methodists in the area and her experience going to meetings, describing the people she has been keeping company with and their various interpersonal dynamics, discussing the state of her finances and expenses while in Margate, and noting her correspondence with Miss Galloway and her uncle.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, Margate

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1790-10-11
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, giving an update on her various health conditions and the treatments recommended by Mr. Slater, describing the Methodists in the area and her experience going to meetings, describing the people she has been keeping company with and their various interpersonal dynamics, discussing the state of her finances and expenses while in Margate, and noting her correspondence with Miss Galloway and her uncle.
  • An unaddressed letter from Sarah Wesley expressing her belief that this is likely the last correspondence she will have with the recipient and that, since they are likely not to return England, she wishes to make it worth remembering. Sarah writes she thinks often of the recipient, wishing them happiness, reminding them not to turn away from the condition of the impoverished, and urging them to maintain their piety. She includes a post script asking the recipient to peruse, at least once, the book she has sent along with the letter.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to [unaddressed], Chesterfield Street [London]

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1790-09
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    An unaddressed letter from Sarah Wesley expressing her belief that this is likely the last correspondence she will have with the recipient and that, since they are likely not to return England, she wishes to make it worth remembering. Sarah writes she thinks often of the recipient, wishing them happiness, reminding them not to turn away from the condition of the impoverished, and urging them to maintain their piety. She includes a post script asking the recipient to peruse, at least once, the book she has sent along with the letter.
  • A letter from Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley to her daughter, Sarah, providing an update on her son, Charles', health and recovery, expressing her wish to have Sarah return, sharing the news of Mr. Wyalls' mother's poor health, and sharing that they are to have visitors that afternoon who her son, Samuel, is to entertain. The final portion of the letter has been lost.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1780 – 1790
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley to her daughter, Sarah, providing an update on her son, Charles', health and recovery, expressing her wish to have Sarah return, sharing the news of Mr. Wyalls' mother's poor health, and sharing that they are to have visitors that afternoon who her son, Samuel, is to entertain. The final portion of the letter has been lost.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, giving an update on her health and noting that several of her acquaintances seem to have taken ill as well, praising Mrs Roquet's character and virtues and claiming she is too good for Sir Harry Tyrlawney (Trelawney), sharing her joy at getting to spend the day with Mrs. [Lediard] and her children, anticipating her mother prodding her to have children of her own, describing meeting a Mr. [Calgat] who she describes as being a character and having a great memory for all things but names, expressing her wish that either her Father stay with her at the house in Bristol or sell it, and giving updates on her various social visits.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1780 – 1790
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, giving an update on her health and noting that several of her acquaintances seem to have taken ill as well, praising Mrs Roquet's character and virtues and claiming she is too good for Sir Harry Tyrlawney (Trelawney), sharing her joy at getting to spend the day with Mrs. [Lediard] and her children, anticipating her mother prodding her to have children of her own, describing meeting a Mr.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, declaring her intent to return to Marylebone soon, describing the financial hardships of her cousins, praising the hospitality of the Staffords, relating the struggles of Miss Jones who has had to care for two dying brothers, sending her well wishes to the family of Mrs. Dyer, updating her mother on her father's plans to return and of his preaching in honor of the late Mr. Fletcher, asking about having a straw hat enlarged, and reporting on the status of several acquaintances.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1780 – 1790
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, declaring her intent to return to Marylebone soon, describing the financial hardships of her cousins, praising the hospitality of the Staffords, relating the struggles of Miss Jones who has had to care for two dying brothers, sending her well wishes to the family of Mrs. Dyer, updating her mother on her father's plans to return and of his preaching in honor of the late Mr. Fletcher, asking about having a straw hat enlarged, and reporting on the status of several acquaintances.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, providing an update on her health, describing the care and attention of Mr. and Mrs. Blunt to her during her illness, and asking her mother to send along any letters she may have recieved.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, Croyden

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1780 – 1790
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, providing an update on her health, describing the care and attention of Mr. and Mrs. Blunt to her during her illness, and asking her mother to send along any letters she may have recieved.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, reporting that all preparations had been made for her arrival, explaining that her aunt had meant to write but circumstances made it impossible, giving a report on her and her brother, Samuel's, social activities over the past few days, providing updates on their extended family in Hereford, and reporting on Samuel's travels to Epsom.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, [Bristol]

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1780 – 1790
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, reporting that all preparations had been made for her arrival, explaining that her aunt had meant to write but circumstances made it impossible, giving a report on her and her brother, Samuel's, social activities over the past few days, providing updates on their extended family in Hereford, and reporting on Samuel's travels to Epsom.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to Miss Galloway returning a book she had borrowed, sharing her thoughts on the contents, and asking if Miss Galloway would like to visit the following day or if Sarah might visit her instead.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Miss Galloway (15)

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1780 – 1790
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to Miss Galloway returning a book she had borrowed, sharing her thoughts on the contents, and asking if Miss Galloway would like to visit the following day or if Sarah might visit her instead.
  • A letter from Sarah Wesley to Miss Galloway explaining the situation which kept her from visiting Miss Galloway and complaining about the rudeness of a number of the guests who were involved, asking for advice on how to comfort their friend, expressing her excitement at having received Miss Galloway's note, and planning their next possible meeting.
    Text

    Letter from Sarah Wesley to Miss Galloway (14)

    Wesley, Sarah 1760-1828
    Date
    1780 – 1790
    Collection
    Charles Wesley family papers
    Copyright
    IN COPYRIGHT
    A letter from Sarah Wesley to Miss Galloway explaining the situation which kept her from visiting Miss Galloway and complaining about the rudeness of a number of the guests who were involved, asking for advice on how to comfort their friend, expressing her excitement at having received Miss Galloway's note, and planning their next possible meeting.
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