| Description | 1. Undated letter concerning trouble with plasterers at the house and when they can undertake the work. Also about catching carp and also about little Billy Hallifax being so fond of his cousins.
2. Undated letter talking about Henry’s sister Arabella who would like to come and dine. Also work by the plasterers and a menu of dishes to be eaten.
3. Undated letter saying how much she misses him when he is away; she has been in bed with a fever and asks him to send a list of items which might help including “4 ounces of claws of crabs of the sea gathered at constellation time, when the sun and moon are in conjunction in the sign cancer”.
4. Undated letter concerning paying of bills and having an argument with Sharington Davenport; and saying that she feels her husband humours him too much.
5. Undated letter about family business and saying how much she adores him.
6. 27 Apr 1722 to say she is worried that she has not heard from him. Also news of the children, with Harry reluctantly going back to school.
7. 16 Mar 1725 saying that Sharington Davenport is now out of danger and also talking about staffing problems.
8. Undated letter about all the children going by horse and coach back to Eton and being looked after by her sister Mary Hallifax on the journey. Also about Darcus coming to dine and Mr Barrat looking out for haymakers.
9. Undated letter about her little boy being very ill with a fever and sickness. Further on in the letter she talks of there being much fever in the village with more people being buried in the last 3 months than in a whole year normally.
10. Undated letter saying that in a letter from James Harvey dated May 1st she has found out widow Ivory’s only son died. The rest of the letter is about business matters on the estate and that Harry had a fever and pimples on his face. Asking if he could send some toys for the boy.
11. Undated letter saying she had received a letter from Peter Hambly to say he would be glad to see him in town and is ready to pay what is due on the house of Austria. Also a letter from Lacock from Talbot to say that is wife is much mended, but he cannot leave her in the condition she is in.
12. Undated letter saying that he can expect a letter from her every post if she is well and one from Miss Betty or Finch if she is otherwise. Little Talbot and his new tooth are well. Also says that she has heard her brother has not renewed Davenport’s surrender for some little money and wonders why he has neglected to do so. Also news on labourers and moving bricks and stones.
13. 8 Nov 1724 to say that nothing makes him uneasy but “this cursed money” and he should look upon it as a necessary evil. Also concern over losing sheep and that they would be better off buying cows and heifers. Harry and the girls are well, but her sister continues to be unwell.
14. Nov 1724 to say Ned Rowley and Mr Eykin had gone to Wenlock Fair to buy cattle for him.
15. 6 Dec 1724 to say that she is not very fit due to ill health and cannot bear moderate exercise and gets pain in her back and kidneys. Talks about pigs that Mr Eykin has bought and other estate business. Also about a new gown for Miss Lucy. |