| Description | 1. 2 Jun 1886 Confirmation card.
2. 1889-1890 Certificate from University of Glasgow on completion of course on the English Literature of the present century.
3. 19 Sep 1898 in Danish.
4. 5 Jan 1899 from Rosamond Talbot about giving her all the contents of her flat in Westminster.
5. 16 Nov 1909 Receipt from the trustees of the will of Rosamond Talbot.
6. 1913 Three pages of diary notes.
7. 7 Jan 1917 from Ellen Dickson.
8. 10 Jan 1917 from Grace on her husband being away, and on Matilda's inheritance from Charles Henry Talbot, Grace being curious what Matilda will do with the abbey if she lives there. Her going to Edinburgh in tram.
9. 15 Jan 1918 from nephew Ken in St Leonard's Rectory, Bridgnorth with thanks. Aunt Emily well, Medina Lewis developed German measles.
10. 15 Jan 1919 from her brother congratulating her on her MBE. What to do with adjoining land in Lacock.
11. 25 Jun 1919 from Jack Rudd of 216 Squadron, Royal Air Force, regarding posting to Egypt (passed by censor). They had tried demobilising him three times.
12. 1 Feb 1920 from Jack Rudd. Her building of cottages. He has been to Cairo and Alexandria on duty.
13. 8 Apr 1920 from Matilda's brother. Fragments in cloister need attention. Lavatory basin and shelf should be reconstructed.
14. 25 Apr 1920 from Matilda's brother in Bridgnorth. Bristol Diocesan Board of Finance's plans mentioned. He would restore Rectorial Tithe to the living of Lacock. Queen Anne might contribute.
15. Jan 3 1921 from Winifred McKinnel. She had gastric influenza but is better. One must not be defiled for the sake of the Holy Ghost, which is in one.
16. 6 Mar 1921 from Winifred McKinnel on penitence and glorifying God. Matilda's neuralgia.
17. 11 Jul 1921 from George Rodman from the Royal Photographic Society about the Fox Talbot collection.
18. 22 Dec 1921 in unknown Eastern European language from (Ivanovna).
19. 1 Dec 1923 from Nevill Forbes in Oxford. Matilda had to leave them due to mother's illness. Mrs Blake's husband could protect her from a million Bolsheviks. He has been teaching her about Slavic literature.
20. 10 Apr 1923 from Margaret Mary Dormer from the English Convent in Bruges from the Order of St Augustine. Interested in reading Abbey's history from monastic time of same order. Requesting photo of painting of a bishop, presumably St Augustine, blessing an abbess. Excavations in Bruges.
21. 19 Apr 1923 from Margaret Mary Dormer from the English Convent in Bruges. Matilda promised photo and pamphlet through her brother. The two women might be related. School of Order in Bruges was used as ambulance during war.
22. 1 May 1923 to Reverend William Gilchrist Clark-Maxwell in Bridgnorth from Margaret Mary Dormer in Bruges. He sent her photo of fresco in Lacock and pamphlets. She doesn't know who abbess is in it. Annie Laurie "is supposed to haunt the room she died in at Craigderroch". No Dominican Friary at Bruges at present, but quoting its previous history in French. Name of Bruges and Bridgnorth might be related due to Dominican presence. Several very ancient editions of Rule of St Augustine at Order in English and Latin. Daily duties and routine described.
23. 17 May 1923 to Reverend William Gilchrist Clark-Maxwell from Margaret Mary Dormer. Seal is of Dominicans, and might have been from Bruges who might have settled in Bridgnorth, where Franciscans might have taken their monastery over. Wishing Burnham was Catholic. About nuns' clothes. When one nun dies as many loaves are given to poor as she lived.
24. 6 Mar 1925 Postcard from A C Millen. Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, playing part in Schiller's Mary Stuart.
25. 18 April 1925 from Abbot Smith confirming that the Magna Carta at Lacock is the fourth issue from 1225, only other copy of it at Durham.
26. 30 Oct 1931 from Monica Bardswell regarding the St Christopher wall-painting at Lacock Abbey from 13th century (only four others from 13th century known). Enclosed is a copy by Monica Bardswell.
27. 6 Aug 1933 from Hope Emily Allen (American researcher) requesting books from Lacock on early feminine piety. History of Leigh Abbey from 13th century and famous rule for anchoresses, Ancren Riwle. Lacock books in British Museum burnt.
28. 20 Aug 1933 from Caroline Bulkley from USA. Trying to find out about their immigrant ancestor as member of historical societies. Richard Ewens' (Speaker of Maryland Assembly) daughter married Richard Talbot about 1657. Gawen Talbot had a contract to bring over 200 colonists over four years.
29. 28 Feb 1935 from Lord Lansdowne about an "offending sign" in Lacock village.
30. 2 Mar 1935 from Matilda to Mr Foley about the above sign.
31. 8 Nov 1935 from Methuen about the cost of a girder in Lacock Abbey to be borne by Messrs Gardiner.
32. 27 Aug 1937 from Austin's Typewriting offices about a receipt for letter.
33. 15 Nov 1938 from Halliday Sutherland. All enslaved employees should form trade union affiliated to Trade Unions' Congress, and shareholders in companies should raise matter of "slavery" at annual meeting.
34. 15 Feb 1939 from Orlando Ward regarding payment for his restoration of pictures.
35. 4 Mar 1939 from Orlando Ward about pictures being ready and their treatment.
36. 4 May 1942 from V Mervyn Taylor, solicitor. Hoping Bath artwork does not become destroyed much by war.
37. 9 Jul 1942 Receipt from Clark and Wheeler, chemists.
38. 21 July 1942 Postcard from H M Williams from Hinton Charterhouse, Bath.
39. 2 Feb 1943 Personal letter from V Mervyn Taylor. Estonians in concentration camp.
40. 8 Feb 1943 Letter (opened by examiner) from A R Phillips, Los Angeles (US Navy) enclosing a Kodacolor (latest development of Eastman Kodak Company) photograph of Joe E Brown, cinema comedian. Phillips admiration for Talbot's photographic work and requesting Matilda to send him any copies she has of his Pencil of Nature.
41. 22 Feb 1943 Letter from H Baines, Kodak. He re-read Matilda's paper on early history of photography, which she gave on May 17th, 1939, before the joint meeting of Royal Society of Arts and Royal Photographic Society. Including 2 photographs of the blacksmith's forge on Harrow Hill before renovation, where Fox Talbot carried out his practical work.
42. 14 Jul 1943 Birthday postcard of wild flowers from E Hel.
43. 10 Oct 1943 Letter from A R Phillips, Los Angeles regarding early photography. Matilda didn't respond to his request in letter 40
44. 8 May 1944 from Cousin Geraldine. She enjoyed Matilda's broadcast talk on Fox Talbot. She is expectant.
45. 9 and 23 May 1944 Letters from William Hogg in Edinburgh whose mother was Marion Crichton, kitchen maid at Abbey. Mentioning photographs of Lacock in his possession taken by Matilda's grandfather. Mother entered Fox Talbot's service while in Edinburgh. She saw first tomatoes in her life.
46. 9 Jul 1944 from V Mervyn Taylor, gratitude and personal details. Phyllis is in Divorce Court. Opinion that divorce always leads to greater happiness. Extraordinary how Matilda and Jean are complimentary to each other. "Puritans almost set standard that only what you did not enjoy was virtuous".
47. 24 Jul 1944 from Mary in Carruchan. Noel has been in hospital in Palestine.
48. 27 Jul 1944 from Eleanor Bromage thanking Matilda for her stay when 7 years old in the invalid home at Lacock in 1902. Gave her first love for country.
49. 2 Aug 1844 from Lawn and Alder Ltd about the postal service in Russia being suspended (about Matilda's gift)
50. 11 Aug 1944 from James Nelson, Birmingham, asking to be able to visit home of photography.
51. 18 Jul 1944 from Mary regarding advice about forming a Trust.
52. 4 Aug 1944 from Loreen Ferguson, Nethermore, Lacock, asking to be moved home due to being under Essential Works Order.
53. 21 Aug 1944 from Loreen Ferguson. She can still leave her work as she is only part time. They have to move where Miss Every Clayton can get war work, as she is too ill for factory work.
54. 4 Dec 1944 from Jean Blay about Matilda's visit to London.
55. 8 Feb 1945 from Mary enclosing note on owners of Lacock Abbey from 1544 to 1944.
56. 28 Feb 1945 from Charles Hodgson in Sao Paulo. Death of Matilda's sister, Mrs Stewart. Thanks for looking after mother who lost husband.
57. 21 Mar 1945 written from London possibly in Russian.
58. 21 Aug 1945 Prescription from Clark & Wheeler.
59. 15 Sep 1945 from Eardley Knollys, National Trust. Families may be accommodated over stable as long as Matilda bears costs and receives rent.
60.21 Sep 1945 from George Fitchett Parker asking her to find out if his ancestor was one of the barons who signed the Magna Carta.
61. 25 Jan 1946 from Major Gosling from Saigon Control Commission mentioning the peace celebrations in Bangkok. "Siamese hospitality is limitless". Old school friend, Pruice Viwat, king's uncle just pulled off peace treaty. Also visited Cambodia: king ordered Mekong to flow in opposite direction. Likes Cochin China, a French town. Most British troops are leaving, but he is staying with 2000 with the French.
62. 4 Feb 1946 Copy of the report of the Church meeting in Lacock. Matilda's suggestion that prayers for sick be included at Matins and Evensong, not only Early Communion.
63. 26 Feb 1946 Letter from D W Chamberlain on the resumption of Lacock Cricket Club. Unanimous wish of general meeting that Matilda accepts Vice Presidency.
64. 4 Mar 1946 Letter from British Red Cross. Hoping normal postal service to Germany shortly re-established.
65. 12 Mar and 11 Apr 1946 from Lacock Parish Council about the Victory Celebrations, asking for permission to use Abbey grounds, cloisters etc.
66. 19 Mar 1946 from Mrs Schoonover, California. Requesting details of local history. Her foster grandfather left England around 1858. Enclosed is one dollar.
67. 6 Apr 1946 from Eddy Audrey, received her will. Matilda visiting Sweden.
68. 8 Apr 1946 to Orlando Ward from James Lees Milne about pictures at Lacock.
69. 25 Apr 1946 from Ian Hockeneyer. Thanks for being shown around Abbey by Matilda personally.
70. 14 Jul 1946 Postcard of the Scottish American War Memorial from Edie in Edinburgh.
71. 30 Jan 1947 from Annette Thayer Walker, Washington about mutual ancestors.
72. 1 Apr 1947 from the Librarian of Congress, Washington. Gratitude for deposit of Lacock Charter.
73. 12 Aug 1947 from B S Stone enclosing a picture of a painting of Elizabeth Stone (her great great aunt), who married John Talbot in 1742. Stone arms in roof of Great Hall in Lacock.
74. 1 Feb 1948 from Pickwick Manor, Corsham. Wants to give her papers and drawings related to Abbey.
75. 4 Jun 1949 from A Jaffé, Kings College, Cambridge. If she brings her miniatures to London he will tell her as much as he knows about their artists.
76. 22 Feb 1950 Letter and meeting notes from the National Trust about Bewley Common, Lacock.
77. 6 Feb 1950 from the British Architects Conference requesting a visit to Lacock. Response given on 2 March 1950.
78. 18 Jan 1951 from Richard Foley regarding accounts.
79. 13 Apr 1951 from Trevor regarding valuation of china plate.
80. 20 Oct 1952 from Anthony Crofton. He is writing a book on the Talbot family.
81. 31 May 1952 Newspaper cutting about a Lacock Abbey document from 1537 and further letter informing that it was in the possession of Carisbrooke Castle Museum.
82. 30 Apr 1957 from George Allen & Unwin Ltd. They provide book on sale or return basis for visitors of Lacock.
83. 30 Sep 1957 from the Ministry of Works about Lacock Village Cross being included in List of Ancient Monuments by Order of the Minister. Also the Ancient Monuments Consolidation and Amendment Act, 1913 (amended 1931).
84. Notes on separate paper in Cyrillic.
85. Practice notes of a certain Eastern European vocabulary.
86. Notes and locations of pictures.
87. Undated list of silver articles.
88. Undated list of the Fox Talbot collection at Lacock (mostly cameras)
89. Undated note by Matilda of statement of income from Miss Wilkins and Mrs Elizabeth Jones (missing).
90. Undated list of tenants.
91. Undated list of tenants.
92. Undated letter from Evelyn Beytheswood. Common ancestor John Talbot. Requesting photo of picture of his wife, Mary Mansel.
93. Newspaper cutting in Armenian.
94. Note of the tenure of Lacock 1544-1945.
95. Christmas tag from Kitty Talbot.
96. Undated copy of a letter sent to Elsie Thorpe. Idea of Abbey used as Church Training College.
97. 29 Oct 1906 letter possibly from Norway from Karl Karlsen Bogfjelden.
98. 29 Oct 1906 letter possibly from Norway from Lille Kristine Hilserana.
99. Undated letter from W H Burt, recipe for household polish.
100. Undated letter with unknown content.
101. Dec 21, no year from Margaret Robins.
102. Jun 12, no year. Invitation to tea from Miss Talbot.
103. Note in French: religious reflections.
104. Note listing Lady Methner's furniture.
105. Torn letter. Letting her know name and address of Calico Printers.
106. Envelope cover from Paris, 21 Dec 1936.
107. Empty envelope from Brazil, 23 Dec 1936. |