Miss Sally Winslow was Sarah, daughter of John Winslow (see Note 5),
and was, therefore, Anna's cousin. She was born April 12, 1755, died
April 3, 1804. She married, November 27, 1787, Samuel Coverly,
deacon of the Old South Church. She was the Sally Coverly for whom
Mrs. Deming's journal was written. Several of Sally Coverly's
letters still exist, and are models of elegant penmanship and
correct spelling, and redound to the credit of her writing teacher,
Master Holbrook. All the d's and y's and t's end with elaborately
twisted little curls. A careful margin of an inch is left on every
side. The letters speak so plainly of the formal honor and respect
paid by all well-bred persons of the day to their elders, even
though familiar kinsfolk, that I quote one, which contains much
family news:--
BOSTON, Feb. 17th, 1780.
I thank you my dear Aunt for your kind Epistles of April 9th & Nov'r
10th, the kind interestedness you yet continue to take in my concerns
merits the warmest returns of Gratitude.
The Particular circumstances you wish to know I shall with pleasure
inform you of--Mr. Coverly is the youngest son of a Worthy Citizen
late of this town but his Parents are now no more. His age is
thirty-five. His Occupation a Shopkeeper who imports his own goods.
And if you should wish to know who of your acquaintance he
resembles, Madam, I would answer He has been taken for our Minister
Mr Eckley, by whom we were married in my Aunt Demings sick chamber
the 27th of Nov'r last twelve months since. He has two Brothers who
both reside in town. I have been remarkably favor'd the last year as
to my health & we are blest likewise with a fine little Daughter
between 4 & 5 months old, very healthy, which we have named
Elizabeth for its Grandmamas and an Aunt of each side. My Brother
call'd today & inform'd me that M^r Powell intended setting out
tomorrow for Quebeck & left a Letter for you which I shall send with
this. He is almost if not quite as big as my uncle was last time I
saw him--he was well & his family, he has three sons, the youngest
about eleven months old, he has buried one.
In your last you mention both my Uncle & yourself as not enjoying so
great a share of health. I hope by this time you have each regain'd
that blessing more perfectly. Be pleased with him My Dear Aunt to
accept My Duty in which Mr Coverly joins me.
My Sister was very well last week & her son John who is a fine child
about 3 months old. Capt. Holland has purchas'd a house near fort
hill which has remov'd her to a greater distance from me. She is now
gone to the West-indies, she is connected in a family that are all
very fond of her. We expect soon to remove. M^r Coverly has taken a
lease of a house for some years belonging to M^r John Amory, you
will please to direct your next for us in Cornhill N^o 10, I shall
have the pleasure of your friend M^rs Whitwell for my next neighbor
there. I had not the pleasure of seeing M^r Freeman whiles here
altho' I expected it, as his brother promis'd to wait on him here.
In one of your kind Epistles, Madam, you mention'd some of your
Movables which you would wish me to take possession of which were at
my Uncle Demings. The Memorandum you did not send me & my Uncle
Deming has none nor knows of any thing but a great wheel.
He is now maried to the Widow Sebry who is very much lik'd and
appears to be a Gentlewoman, they were very well today. My Aunt
Mason was to see me a few weeks since with M^rs Coburn M^rs Scolly &
Miss Becky Scolly from Middleborough. M^rs Scolly has since married
her youngest daughter to M^r Prentice, Minister of Medfield.
Please to give my Love to Cousin Sally Deming if she is yet with you
I hope she has regain'd her usual health. I should be very glad to
be inform'd how her Mamma is & where & her family.
Be pleased to continue your Indulgence, as your Epistles My Dear
Aunt will at all times be most gratefully receiv'd by