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First digital edition in TEI, date: . P5.Edition made with help from photos taken by Digital Mitford editors. Digital Mitford photo files: DSCF8923.jpg, DSCF8924.jpg, DSCF8925.jpg, DSCF8926.jpg, .
Digital Mitford Letters: The Mary Russell Mitford Archive
Repository: Reading Central Library. Shelf mark: qB/TU/MIT Horizon No. 1361552
One sheet of paper, two surfaces photographed. Folded in half vertically then in thirds horizontally. No postmarks. Some browning and edge wear at folds. Some discoloration where sealed; no tears. Red wax seal, broken into four pieces upon opening, adhered to pages three and four.Hands other than Mitford's noted on this manuscript:
Maintained by: Elisa E. Beshero-Bondar (eeb4 at psu.edu) Last modified: 2024-11-23T09:44:15.537733Z
Many thanks my dearest MaryMary Elizabeth Webb | Born: 1796-04-15 in Wokingham, Berkshire, England. Died: .
Close friend and frequent correspondent of Mary Russell Mitford. Mary Webb was the daughter of James Webb. and Jane Elizabeth Ogbourn. Baptized on April 15, 1796 in Wokingham, Berkshire. Sister of
Elizabeth (called Eliza) and Jane
Eleanor Webb and niece of the elder Mary Webb,
Aunt Mary. In
Needham’s papers, he
notes from the Berkshire Directorythat she lived on
Broad street, presumably in Wokingham, Berkshire. She
was the wife of Thomas Hawkins as she is referred to thus in probate
papers of 1858 regarding the wills of her sister Eliza Webb Walter and her
husband Henry Walter. Date of death unknown. Dates unknown.—scw, lmw for your charming note written con spirito & I hope con amore[2] Italian for "with spirit," and "with love." The first phrase is often used in musical directions.—lmw—Forgetting the primrosesName: primrose or
English primrose
or
common primrose
or
true primrose
| Genus: Primula | Family: Primulaceae | Species: Primula vulgaris.
One of Mitford’s favorite
flowers, can bloom with creamy yellow flowers from late December through May in Berkshire. Native to western and southern Europe. It is not to be confused with evening primrose (Oenothera), a genus of 100+
species of herbaceous flowering plants native to the Americas. Mitford also mentions
the evening primroses, which have been cultivated in
Eurasia since the early seventeenth century and are now naturalized in some areas.—lmw
was a sad reflection on all of us—the truth is that I had distracted my memory by telling Lucy Sweatser Hill | Born: 1790-05-02 in Stratfield Saye, Berkshire,
England. Died: .
Beloved servant for twelve years in the Mitford
household who, on 7 August 1820 married
Charles Hill. She is the basis for
the title character in the Our Village story. Source:
Needham Papers,
Reading Central Library. —scwLucy—& Lucy's in love[3] Refers to the courtship of Mitford's servant Lucy Sweetser, who married Charles Hill on August 7, 1820.—lmw—so that exculpates her—but a worse piece of forgetfulness in me, & a very extraordinary one was omitting to take you to look for books. There is but one way to repair these various misfortunes—you must come again to fetch both books & flowers—you really must—you & the dear dear ElizaElizabeth
Eliza
Webb | Born: 1797-03-03 in Wokingham, Berkshire, England. Died: 1851-03-24 in Sandgate, Kent, England.
Elizabeth Webb, called Eliza, was a neighbor and friend of Mary Russell Mitford. Eliza Webb was the youngest daughter of James Webb and Jane Elizabeth
Ogbourn. She was baptized privately on March 3, 1797, and publicly on June 8, 1797 in
Wokingham, Berkshire. She is the sister of Mary Elizabeth and Jane Eleanor
Webb. In 1837 she married Henry Walters, Esq., in Wokingham, Berkshire. In
Needham’s papers, he
notes from the Berkshire Directorythat she lived on
Broad street, presumably in Wokingham. Source: See
Needham’s letter to Roberts on November
27, 1953
. —scw, lmw & your page 2
charming friend Miss WheelerKate Wheeler, or: Miss Wheeler
Friend of Miss James.
Mitford refers to her as providing home
remedies and advice. See 29 January 1821 letter
to Mary Webb. More research
needed.—lmw—Cannot you manage to come in the Donkey Chaise & stay all night? What renders your coming to me a matter of necessity is that I cannot tell when I shall be able to come & see you. PapaGeorge Mitford, Esq., or:
George Midford
| Born: . Died: .
Father of Mary Rusell Mitford, George Mitford was the son of Francis Midford, surgeon, and Jane Graham. The family name is sometimes recorded as Midford
. Immediate family called him by nicknames including Drum
, Tod
, and Dodo
. He was a member of a minor branch of the Mitfords of Mitford Castle in Northumberland. Although later sources would suggest that he was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh medical school, there is no evidence that he obtained a medical degree and he did not generally refer to himself as Dr. Mitford
, preferring to style himself Esq.
. In 1784, he is listed in a Hampshire directory as surgeon (medicine)
of Alresford. His father and grandfather worked as apothecary-surgeons and it seems likely that he served a medical apprenticeship with family members.
He married Mary Russell on October 17, 1785 at New Alresford, Hampshire. On the marriage allegation papers, both gave their addresses as Old Alresford; they later came to live
at Broad Street in New Alresford. Their only child to live to adulthood,
Mary Russell Mitford, was born two years
later on December 16, 1787 at New
Alresford, Hampshire. He assisted Mitford's literary career by representing her interests in London and elsewhere with theater owners and publishers. He was active in Whig politics and later served as a local magistrate. He coursed greyhounds with his friend James Webb.
—lmw is going to TownLondon, England | London | England |
51.5073509 -0.12775829999998223
Capital city of England and the United Kingdom; one the oldest
cities in Western Europe. Major seaport and global trading center at the mouth
of the Thames. From 1831 to 1925, the
largest city in the world.—lmw tomorrow for a very uncertain time—perhaps two days—perhaps two weeks—all depends on that fine dandling thing a ChanceryCourt of Chancery
Court founded in Norman England, adjudicating equity cases with
a tradition of leniency. This court had powers to cancel debts in cases of
poverty.—ebb Suit. By the way he is not going actually about the suit but in hopes to get it finished Mr. ElliottMr. Elliott
Elliott
Father of John Elliot, mentioned by Mitford as coming to look at their home at Bertram House in her Journal on 17 March 1820.—hjb's Lawyers having made some overtures to a negociationnegotiation. page 3
We heard with more regret th an I can tell of your dear FatherJames Webb | Born: 1769 in Wokingham, Berkshire, England. Died: 1822-01-11 in Wokingham, Berkshire, England.
Prominent manufacturer in the
Wokinghambrewing industry, and community leader in
Wokingham and the county of Berkshire. Father of Eliza, Jane, and Mary Webb. Francis Needham
suggested that he was the original of the gentleman
in the
Our Villagesketch Aunt Martha. Sources:
Francis Needham, Letter to
William Roberts, 16 June 1953
.
Needham Papers, Reading Central Library
. —scw, lmw's threatened attack (Mr. WhiteMr. White
White
Mr.
Associated with Reading. A Mr. White was an original member of the Ilsley Coursing Society, with George Mitford. A Tom White, mentioned in connection with Captain Tuppen, may be a relation. Forename unknown. Dates unknown.—lmw told PapaGeorge Mitford, Esq., or:
George Midford
| Born: . Died: .
Father of Mary Rusell Mitford, George Mitford was the son of Francis Midford, surgeon, and Jane Graham. The family name is sometimes recorded as Midford
. Immediate family called him by nicknames including Drum
, Tod
, and Dodo
. He was a member of a minor branch of the Mitfords of Mitford Castle in Northumberland. Although later sources would suggest that he was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh medical school, there is no evidence that he obtained a medical degree and he did not generally refer to himself as Dr. Mitford
, preferring to style himself Esq.
. In 1784, he is listed in a Hampshire directory as surgeon (medicine)
of Alresford. His father and grandfather worked as apothecary-surgeons and it seems likely that he served a medical apprenticeship with family members.
He married Mary Russell on October 17, 1785 at New Alresford, Hampshire. On the marriage allegation papers, both gave their addresses as Old Alresford; they later came to live
at Broad Street in New Alresford. Their only child to live to adulthood,
Mary Russell Mitford, was born two years
later on December 16, 1787 at New
Alresford, Hampshire. He assisted Mitford's literary career by representing her interests in London and elsewhere with theater owners and publishers. He was active in Whig politics and later served as a local magistrate. He coursed greyhounds with his friend James Webb.
—lmw of it)—but I trust it will go off. At all events his better health & the season all conspire to render such a circumstance more unpleasant than alarming.—If you cannot come & tell us how he is, you must write. Write as usual by the Carrier to the Town Hall & order Bedford
The county town of Bedfordshire, in the east of England. It was
founded at a ford on the River Great Ouse.—lmw if PapaGeorge Mitford, Esq., or:
George Midford
| Born: . Died: .
Father of Mary Rusell Mitford, George Mitford was the son of Francis Midford, surgeon, and Jane Graham. The family name is sometimes recorded as Midford
. Immediate family called him by nicknames including Drum
, Tod
, and Dodo
. He was a member of a minor branch of the Mitfords of Mitford Castle in Northumberland. Although later sources would suggest that he was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh medical school, there is no evidence that he obtained a medical degree and he did not generally refer to himself as Dr. Mitford
, preferring to style himself Esq.
. In 1784, he is listed in a Hampshire directory as surgeon (medicine)
of Alresford. His father and grandfather worked as apothecary-surgeons and it seems likely that he served a medical apprenticeship with family members.
He married Mary Russell on October 17, 1785 at New Alresford, Hampshire. On the marriage allegation papers, both gave their addresses as Old Alresford; they later came to live
at Broad Street in New Alresford. Their only child to live to adulthood,
Mary Russell Mitford, was born two years
later on December 16, 1787 at New
Alresford, Hampshire. He assisted Mitford's literary career by representing her interests in London and elsewhere with theater owners and publishers. He was active in Whig politics and later served as a local magistrate. He coursed greyhounds with his friend James Webb.
—lmw is not there to put the note into the Post Office.—I had ^a letter from Miss JamesElizabeth Mary James, or:
Miss James
| Born: 1775 in Bath, Somerset, England. Died: 1861-11-25 in 3 Pembroke Villas, Richmond, Surrey, England.
Close friend and correspondent of Mary Russell Mitford. She was the eldest daughter of Thomas Webb and Susanna Haycock. Her father
died in 1818 and her mother in 1835. After her parents’ deaths, she lived with
her two younger sisters, Emily and Susan, in Green Park Buildings, Bath,
Walcot, Somerset; High Street, Mortlake, Surrey; and 3 Pembroke Villas,
Richmond, Surrey. According to Coles,
referring to Mitford’s diary, letters were also addressed to her at Bellevue,
Lower Road, Richmond (Coles 26). She was buried at St. Mary Magdalene, Richmond,
Surrey. In the 1841 census, she is listed as living on independent means;
in the 1851
census, as landholder;
in the 1861 census, she as railway
shareholder
.—lmw yesterday abounding in love for you all—Mine—& all ours—to dear Mr. WebbJames Webb | Born: 1769 in Wokingham, Berkshire, England. Died: 1822-01-11 in Wokingham, Berkshire, England.
Prominent manufacturer in the
Wokinghambrewing industry, and community leader in
Wokingham and the county of Berkshire. Father of Eliza, Jane, and Mary Webb. Francis Needham
suggested that he was the original of the gentleman
in the
Our Villagesketch Aunt Martha. Sources:
Francis Needham, Letter to
William Roberts, 16 June 1953
.
Needham Papers, Reading Central Library
. —scw, lmw—dear ElizaElizabeth
Eliza
Webb | Born: 1797-03-03 in Wokingham, Berkshire, England. Died: 1851-03-24 in Sandgate, Kent, England.
Elizabeth Webb, called Eliza, was a neighbor and friend of Mary Russell Mitford. Eliza Webb was the youngest daughter of James Webb and Jane Elizabeth
Ogbourn. She was baptized privately on March 3, 1797, and publicly on June 8, 1797 in
Wokingham, Berkshire. She is the sister of Mary Elizabeth and Jane Eleanor
Webb. In 1837 she married Henry Walters, Esq., in Wokingham, Berkshire. In
Needham’s papers, he
notes from the Berkshire Directorythat she lived on
Broad street, presumably in Wokingham. Source: See
Needham’s letter to Roberts on November
27, 1953
. —scw, lmw—& dear Kate WheelerKate Wheeler, or: Miss Wheeler
Friend of Miss James.
Mitford refers to her as providing home
remedies and advice. See 29 January 1821 letter
to Mary Webb. More research
needed.—lmw—not forgetting our dear MaryMary Elizabeth Webb | Born: 1796-04-15 in Wokingham, Berkshire, England. Died: .
Close friend and frequent correspondent of Mary Russell Mitford. Mary Webb was the daughter of James Webb. and Jane Elizabeth Ogbourn. Baptized on April 15, 1796 in Wokingham, Berkshire. Sister of
Elizabeth (called Eliza) and Jane
Eleanor Webb and niece of the elder Mary Webb,
Aunt Mary. In
Needham’s papers, he
notes from the Berkshire Directorythat she lived on
Broad street, presumably in Wokingham, Berkshire. She
was the wife of Thomas Hawkins as she is referred to thus in probate
papers of 1858 regarding the wills of her sister Eliza Webb Walter and her
husband Henry Walter. Date of death unknown. Dates unknown.—scw, lmw.
authoress,and lists her as living at Three Mile Cross with Kerenhappuch Taylor (lady’s maid), Sarah Chernk (maid-of-all-work), and Samuel Swetman (gardener), after the death of her father. Mitford’s long life and prolific career ended after injuries from a carriage accident. She is buried in Swallowfield churchyard. The executor of her will and her literary executor was the Rev. William Harness and her lady’s maid, Kerenhappuch Taylor Sweetman, was residuary legatee of her estate. —lmw, ebb