A letter dated 28 May, 1767, from an “Indian-born” woman to her English in-laws read:

Dear Madam,

Although a stranger to you yet give me leave to address you in a manner suitable to the place I have the honor to hold in your family as the wife of Mr. Jervis, your son. I had that happy title conferred on me on the 5th of last March and though I am an Indian born I flatter myself my family fortune and education will not be disapproved … [emphasis added]

Six months later, another letter acknowledging a reply, followed:

To Misses Jervis

Dear Sisters,

I received your obliging letter of the 13th Feb. which gave me infinite satisfaction to find that my marriage with your brother W. Jervis had met with the approbation of your mother & family and hope in a few years by a personal acquaintance to verify your good opinion of me … give me leave in the meantime to assure you that I think myself happy in the best of men whom I sincerely love and have in return every proof of his affection my heart can wish for. I wrote mother last April of the birth of our dear boy Jack on the 24 Jan …

Signed by Beebee Elizabeth Jervis, these letters acknowledged that the circumstances of her marriage were irregular: she was Mr. Jervis's wife and also “Indian born,” suggesting that Beebee Jervis was either mixed-race or of native descent.