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What hardships did Henry Fielding face while writing Joseph Andrews?

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Henry Fielding, frontispiece to Fielding's Works (1st ed., 1762), engraving by James Basire after a drawing by William Hogarth — Henry Fielding Henry Fielding, frontispiece to Fielding's *Works* (1st ed., 1762), engraving by James Basire after a drawing by William Hogarth

Henry Fielding wrote his 1742 novel Joseph Andrews under extremely difficult and unpropitious circumstances. During this period, he faced significant personal and financial hardships:

Health issues: Fielding was suffering from gout.
Family tragedy: His six-year-old daughter was dying, and his wife was also in very poor health.
Financial instability: He was experiencing financial trouble, though he received temporary relief through the generosity of his friend, the philanthropist Ralph Allen.1