| Description | 1. 7 Aug and 13 Dec 1722, and 22 Jan 1723 from Charles Boone, with a draft dated 7 Aug 1722 from Henry Davenport, referring to Madame Chardin's estate: a bill of complaint from Henry Davenport. There appears to have been a dispute between them as they were both executors of Madame Chardin's will.
2. 26 Jul 1722 from Nathaniel Hickman about the settlement of Madame Chardin's estate.
3. 12 Sep 1722 Draft letter from Henry Davenport to Mr Lapostre about the dispute with Charles Boone.
4. 24 Sep 1722 from John Talbot complaining that he has not heard from him since he visited Worfield and his wife is owed a letter from 10 months ago. Tells some news about alterations to house and building a new stable. His wife had a fall from her horse and is confined for two weeks.
5. 19 Nov 1722 from John Talbot mentioning the safe arrival of Charles Boone from India; sorry to hear he has met with such knavery in Shropshire and hopes it will be a warning for him to be cautious as to who he trusts; recommends Smith of Warwick as architect for his new house.
6. 4 Feb 1722 from John Talbot referring to his regret over not taking his advice eight years before of getting a builder as well as a gardener and the work he is to have done on the garden. Informs that his son will be going to school in Chippenham. Postscript about a man-midwife for his wife.
7. 16 Mar 1722 from John Talbot asking him to forward five guineas on his behalf to Mrs Edgeworth in Ireland, niece of Sir John Talbot, referring to "a deplorable case".
8. 7 Jul 1722 from John Talbot to Henry Davenport making arrangements to visit.
9. Aug 1722 from Ann Ivory to Henry Davenport worrying she is "out of sight, out of mind" of her friends at Worfield as she never hears from him. She has been with her aunt paying visits to people, including seeing Lord Shrewsbury in the house they grew up in, with a description of the house and the alterations Lord Shrewsbury has done to it.
10. 26 Dec 1722 from John Talbot to Henry Davenport talking about their correspondence not being so familiar as before and, comparing it to the correspondence between his wife and Barbara Davenport or sister Ivory, supposes it is because he is in debt to Davenport.
11. Letters from Talbot Ivory giving accounts of the condition of General Sharington Davenport:
a. 2 Jul 1719 informing Henry Davenport that his brother was seized with a violent fever and he has the best attendance and advice in town.
b. 3 Jul informing Henry Davenport that his brother is slightly better.
c. 4 Jul 1719 to inform Henry Davenport that his brother died at 5pm and that Talbot Ivory never left him during his short illness. He made a will following the improvements the night before and settled his affairs. General Davenport desired to be buried at Worfield so Ivory will make arrangements to embalm him, place him in a leaden coffin and transport him to Shropshire.
12. Letters from Talbot Ivory concerning the disposal of General Sharington Davenport's effects:
a. 9 Jul 1719 confirming that General Davenport's body is in a vault in St Mary's Church in Dublin, he has bought mourning for the servants, and what to do with the General's dogs.
b. 16 Jul 1719 about selling General Davenport's horses, saddles and equipage, and what to do with the dogs. Also writes of hoping to embark in four or five days with the body.
c. 18 Jul 1719 concerning the selling of General Davenport's horses and dogs.
d. 14 Jul 1719 about transporting the corpse from Ireland to Worfield, and what to do with the things in General Davenport's house.
e. 22 Jan 1721 describing who has bought General Davenport's furniture and clothes.
f. 13 May 1720 about the remainder of the General's belongings and thanking him for the plate which arrived.
13. 18 Dec 1719 from Talbot Ivory, writing of selling the yellow velvet furniture which was tarnished for 20 pistoles. Has been making an enquiry about people listed for the pretender's service. Advises Henry Davenport to advise John Ivory Talbot not to interfere in Parliament but to stay at home as "his opinion to party may crush mine in the bud".
14. 18 Nov c1720 from Talbot Ivory: he will send the accounts to Henry Davenport as soon as he receives them.
15. 8 Dec 1722 from Samuel Harding asking for clarification of what is to be send to Sir Humphrey Briggs.
16. 21 Jul 1719 from Robert Barrett from Alscott about ordering beer and ale.
17. 20 Jun 1722 from John Talbot about giving him a discharge for some money and jointly mortgage a farm. Mentions Jacky being in breeches.
18. 22 Jul 1719 from Reverend William Hallifax about the arrival of the General's body: "some regard ought to be paid both to his honour and the honour of his family". Mentions the fact that General Davenport left his family the residue of his personal estate knowing that it left them nothing. Suggests the will may be spurious: he cannot believe "that such a brave man could possibly be guilty of such folly". [The General's debts exceeded his personal estate above £3000.]
19. 29 Mar 1720 from Talbot Ivory in response to news of his mother's death.
20. 20 Sep 1720 from Talbot Ivory at Youghall to Henry Davenport to arrange the delivery to Ireland of his mother's plate by the "Giday", Captain Cartridge, Commander.
21. 12 Mar 1721 from Talbot Ivory promising to give an account of what goods remain in his possession of value. Also asks him to send instructions to a tailor to make a suit.
22. 26 May c1722 from Talbot Ivory wanting him to send a plate by sea as it will be cheaper than by land.
23. 11 Aug (1720) from Ann Ivory, Henry's sister-in-law, thanking him for being so kind as to take her in, and will take his advice to not go to Lacock, and about going to Bath. This could be following the death of her mother, Lady Ann Ivory.
24. 11 Sep 1722 from Ann Ivory about letting his house in Town and sending her aunt's good wishes for Harry being in breeches.
25. 19 Nov 1722 from Ann Ivory requesting that he purchase on her behalf white calico to line her bed, have a spotted calico and gingham calendered very stiff, etc. Writes "I hear my aunt is recovered, she was so long at Lacock, that I sopose there was a great complaint of me". Also a list of vegetable seed required.
26. 20 Sep 1722 from Mary Hallifax commenting on Harry's being in britches.
27. 29 Oct (1722) from Mary Hallifax about a law suit.
28. 5 Nov 1722 from Mary Hallifax about a law suit.
29. 18 Mar 1723 from Mary Hallifax in response to Henry Davenport's request to sell her parcel of land.
30. 3 Apr 1723 from Mary Hallifax to say she has signed the deed to her parcel of land so Henry can purchase Rowley.
31. 4 Mar (1723) from Mary Hallifax with instructions about her house and furnishings, and some family affairs. |