People featured: 4
Collection: Boscawen Collection (Fortescue papers)
Item Number: 1262M/0/FC/1 [10]
Repository: Devon Record Office
Summary: She understands that Margaret is much employed by the sick, this letter contains a number of recommendations for the treatment of melancholy which she doesn't conceal from Margaret as her practice is at too great a distance to prejudice her own, noting that Lady Halled's daughter has died in childbed

People featured: 2
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE9
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: [partial transcription due to bad handwriting] He has heard the terrible news of Herbert's sorrow, and is praying heartily to God for his recovery, he will not trouble him with business at present only to provide some small details about the money [response is in letter 2900]

People featured: 2
Collection: Boscawen Collection (Fortescue papers)
Item Number: 1262M/0/FC/1 [11]
Repository: Devon Record Office
Summary: As soon as he received Hugh's letter he 'set fat in stirrup' to attend to the business, discussing the characters and actions of various mutual acquaintances

People featured: 3
Collection: Boscawen Collection (Fortescue papers)
Item Number: 1262M/0/FC/1 [17]
Repository: Devon Record Office
Summary: Telling her about the lame son of Cousin Buckness who is so poor that he took crumbs from the table last time he dined with them, and how he has unwisely moved his wife soon after her lying-in, recommending that her niece be charitable towards him, commenting on her niece's choice of midwife and hoping that she has not chosen Mrs Sherbrooke, recommending a recipe to give to an infant before it feeds for the first time

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1804 (113)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: A short note thanking him for his letter and advising him to set a good example to his younger siblings, providing details of their recent visits, though she is glad that they are over as it is a deal of trouble when old people go out, providing messages to Dorothy that she is knitting socks for her for Winter

People featured: 4
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1803 (88)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Thanking them for the gifts that they have made and sent to her, she shows them to her friends when they enquire after them, she had a surprise visit from Uncle Hatfield just as her sister was about to go to bed, providing an update on various family members, worrying about the size of the stockings she has knitted for them, speculating on the quality of some worsted that she has obtained.

People featured: 3
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1803 (82)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Written in a shaky hand, telling Mary-Ann how pleasurable she finds it to receive a letter from her, providing her with advice on the proper time to gain education and knowledge, and recommending that she be humble and willing to learn, Aunt Abbatt is still unwell and this will prevent them seeing each other, she has sent some items of clothing, giving Mary-Ann advice on her role following the death of her mother.

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1799 (49)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: A short note thanking her for the pincushion and handkerchief and commenting on the skill of their handiwork, providing some advice on diligence in youth.

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1806 (141)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: They have been unable to move as her nephew has been summoned by the assizes and they do not intend to move until he returns, commenting on the shortening days and lengthening evenings, they have heard Dr Barns at Chapel and providing details of visitors to the house

People featured: 6
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1803 (87)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Her spirits are revived by Mary-Ann's letter, she sends various messages for Mary-Ann's father about cloth and his business, providing an update of her Sister's failing health, and details of her attempts to knit them stockings without a pattern or a real understanding of their sizes, exploring the unhappy fate of Hatfield, and giving Mary-Ann advice on helping to raise her siblings following the death of her mother.

People featured: 5
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1807 (159)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Providing the travel plans of various acquaintances that may visit Mary-Ann as they pass through Warrington, advising her to make the most of her schooling, drawing on her own 80yrs of experience to advise her on controlling her passions as a way to secure peace through life, she was not sorry that Miss Bagnal returned home, Hatfield and Dorothy have bad coughs and they have been afraid of the whooping cough, telling Mary-Ann how her siblings are missing her

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1804 (98)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Expressing her thanks for receiving a letter, Mary-Ann is very kind in wishing her to visit but old people require waiting upon, she has been working hard to govern her peevishness that usually accompanies old age, advising Mary-Ann to work on governing her passions so that she will be prepared for both life and death, expressing her ongoing sadness at the death of Mary-Ann's mother and asking after Dorothy, sending gifts and kindest affections

People featured: 7
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: ENG 1041 f41
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Grandmother writes to grandchildren – she is glad to have received their letters, is pleased to hear that they are well, and is glad to have received James’s kiss and love. She hopes they are behaving themselves well, enjoying their new home and new servants, hears they have a play room but hopes they are not playing all the time but also reading and governing their passions. The gentlemen who dined with them had spoken well of the children. The grandmother is being treated well – she has a fire in her room every night, and it is still warm in the morning. She is sorry to hear that Cousin Hannah has not recovered. In the evening she spends time knitting stockings and doing patch...

People featured: 1
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Bos 2, Folder 31, (1)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Letter advising her on spiritual matters, on temporal poverty and spiritual wealth, and sending love to the other girls at school

People featured: 3
Collection: Thoresby, Ralph Papers
Item Number: YAS/MS6/7
Repository: Brotherton Library, University of Leeds
Summary: His cousin / aunt writes to him on his father’s death (possibly).

People featured: 4
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, FOlder 34 (1)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Apologising for her failure to write, reporting on her attempts to persuade Rebekah's Mamma to allow her to leave school for a visit, but permission has been refused, reporting on the reception of Rebekah's writing at home, providing details of a journey and providing updates on the Chapel in Oldham Street.

People featured: 2
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 1, Folder 1 [3]
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Apologising at length for her failure to respond to a previous letter due to concerns over privacy, congratulating the Batemans on the birth of a son, complaining that Mr Bateman has not had chance to visit her whilst in London, and explaining why she doesn't think she'll be able to visit them in Manchester

People featured: 2
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box.1 Fol.1 (1)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Containing thanks for their kindness to her during her visit to Manchester, apologising (profusely) for her failure to write sooner, and requesting notification of Thomas Bateman's safe arrival home.

People featured: 3
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 1, Folder 1 [4]
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Congratulating Mrs Bateman on the birth of her child, meditating extensively on the wonders of creation and the Christian's attempts to lessen their attachment to earthly things, suggesting that she might visit next month.

People featured: 2
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box.1 Fol.2 (1)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: On her travel plans to Scotland and her failure to call on Rebekah, on the consolations of the Christian and his relationship with God.

People featured: 2
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 1, Folder 1 [2]
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Apologising for delay in responding and providing details of a violent nervous disorder and how it affected her, lengthy discussion of how her suffering sanctifies her and brings her closer to God, complains that Mr Bateman did not call on her despite being in Town, wonders if this is due to them no longer being friends.

People featured: 1
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 1, Folder 2 [6]
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Reprimanding her for not being in contact with an update on her own health and that of her child, on her own confinement with a cold and swollen face, and meditating at length about her relationship with faith and with God.

People featured: 1
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 1, Folder 2 [2]
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Apologising for lack of response to previous letters and providing detailed reasons why her journey does not bring her to Manchester despite her invitation, lengthy consideration of her journey to London from Newcastle as a metaphor for her journey through life and God's plans for his people.

People featured: 1
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 1, Folder 2 [5]
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Expressing a desire to see her, and asking for confirmation of when Mrs Bateman plans to call, meditating at length about Christian friendship and love.

People featured: 1
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 1, Folder 2 [3]
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: A brief note with travel plans and details of recent journeys and her subsequent fatigue.

People featured: 1
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 1, Folder 2 [4]
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Containing detailed travel plans for her journey to London, her concerns about travelling so late in the year, and contemplating her place on Earth, and how her deprival of a visit with Mrs Bateman fits into a scheme of deprivation that sanctifies her.

People featured: 4
Collection: Boscawen Collection (Fortescue papers)
Item Number: 1262M/0/FC/1 [17]
Repository: Devon Record Office
Summary: Tells Bridget of a distant relation that is in straightened circumstances and whose wife is heavily pregnant, suggesting that she might be charitable towards him, making recommendations about a midwife for Bridget (who is pregnant), recommending a recipe for soothing the infant

People featured: 2
Collection: Boscawen Collection (Fortescue papers)
Item Number: 1262M/0/FC/1 [47]
Repository: Devon Record Office
Summary: She had been wondering why she hadn't heard from him, and is sorry to hear that his wife's illness may be the cause, asking for a number of details about Margaret Boscawen's health, she knows that Margaret is averse to doctors but hopes Hugh will prevail, recommending a good doctor

People featured: 3
Collection: Anderson Papers
Item Number: BL MS Add 82675 24
Repository: British Library
Summary: NB: 2 authors, the first author, Anne, discussing the health of the second, Christina, who then herself writes the second part of the letter. Anne writes about Christina’s poor health and low spirits and informs David that she has now recovered and is in better health. Anne sympathizes with David on his anxiety at her poorly state when he left. Discusses the emotional pain of David and Christina’s separation, and the fact that letter-writing is a pleasure for them both that they did not previously have. At the end of the letter, Christina, now in better health, writes her response, which is full of humour and little digs at Anne. Christina described herself as very drowsy and...

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1804 (111)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: A short note asking if they have found the key to her babyhouse, and providing instructions on where she might have left it, asking about their journey, and sending love from her family

People featured: 3
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 23 [1]
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Noting his daughters' wish to see them during the school holiday, but it is not convenient, explaining the travel difficulties, promising to send them notes instead with Uncle Richardson, sending money for them to settle their school bills, and instructing them to behave genteelly and respectifully.

People featured: 3
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: ENG 1041 f25
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Letter between cousins - several mentions of the health of various people – asks if the recipient is well, asks after the health of other family, reports on improving health of her mother, hopes the recipient is getting through the measles, advises on diet and regimen e.g. not to eat butter

People featured: 2
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 41
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: Fragment of a letter, primarily responding to questions about the history / heraldry of the Chaderton family, and closes with a discussion of Barbara’s health. She is generally well, but has an inflammation of the eyes which makes writing very difficult and painful.

People featured: 12
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 7
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: She is glad to hear that both George and Charles are well. Barbara has arrived to find Mrs Wodhull in a better state of health than she has been in for some time, and she hopes she will continue improving. Robert and Nan have arrived, they left their daughter Harriet very well. Barbara has seen Mary Ingram, and has never seen her in such good health and spirits. Miss Ingram will visit next month. George and Billy Smyth now go to Rugby school, Barbara has given them half a crown each. Robert was pleased to receive the gift of a gun and is looking forward to shooting season. They have breakfasted at Astrop with sixty people. Discussion of other visits and dining, Mr and Mrs Wykam...

People featured: 8
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 25
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: She enjoyed reading about his travels through Switzerland. She has written to him too, but does not have the same descriptions of beautiful scenery to give him. She suggests that she would like to travel if she were a man, but describes women as ‘helpless animals’. Discussion of the death of Mr Scawne who recently took his own life, reportedly due to the extravagances of his son. Charles has been out hunting with a regiment of dragoons. She expects George will have plenty of books and time for reading in Geneva. She has given money to a distressed marine who claimed to have gone to school with George. Kitty Johnson is very ill and looks very worrying, but Barbara’s Aunt and...

People featured: 10
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 15
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: Barbara thanks her brother for the money, and his glad to hear that he does not intend to retire completely from his social and business life. She notes that retirement does not take into account the length of one’s life. She hopes that Charles’s deafness improves soon. She asks when he plans on going to London – he should try and see Garrick on the stage before his last season. Mention of the death of Mrs Webster, and the miserable condition of Mrs Fallet, who is an object of charity and pity, and whose son is also dead. Barbara’s aunts and Suky are well, though they are struggling in the hot weather. Discussions of things they have read and written. She is very happy for...

People featured: 5
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 21
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: Discussion of her answers to puzzles or trivia questions sent by her brother, and a discussion of things they have both read and books they will send in the post. Recounts the story of an imprisoned man who played cards with a man through the bars of his cell. Mr and Mrs Liddiard are with Robert at Bath, and all are thought to be well.

People featured: 11
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 23
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: Barbara has enjoyed hearing about their travels and hopes that the rest of their journey has continued well. Discussion of the weather and harvest. Miss Ingram is better, she has gone to Southampton to bathe in the sea, and they hope this will restore her to health. Barbara has been dining, attending balls and dancing. Lady Say does not dance in such a lively manner as she used to, but still dresses as youthful as ever. Whitmore is more ‘grotesque’ than ever. All at Kenilworth are well. Noland has been left a single parent to four young daughters, and his father-in-law is expected to die soon. Robert has visited Hagley, Envil And The Leasowes, Peggy Willes is beautiful. A local...

People featured: 6
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 9
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: Discussion of a payment to be made ‘into Mr Wodhull’s hands’. Barbara has sent George a pair of garters, but did not have time to net a purse. Kit Smyth has been in town for a long time. Mr Reddal, who died suddenly, is though to have taken his own life. He had been distressed, particularly in financial matters, although he had duped the world that he had been rich. Uncle Woodhouse is in the East Indies, but is not, despite rumours, married.

People featured: 4
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 37
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: Discussion and thanks for sending money in the post, including a discussion of post that had been stolen. The Mr Smyths were sorry to have just missed George when he was in Scarborough. She is glad to hear that George’s gout is better and hopes that it will not return. She wishes she could have met with them both at Combe, because she so rarely gets to see them. In particular she wishes she had been there with them when they saw Mr Lunardi in his hot air balloon. She has been to two concerts and notes how much she enjoys listening to music. She thanks Charles for his letter but is too hurried to write to him just now.

People featured: 5
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 19
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: She is glad to hear that George and Charles are back from their travels, and that they have enjoyed themselves. She gets great pleasure from hearing about their travels, and reads their letters over and over again – she wonders if either of them have kept a journal, which she would love to peruse too. She expects they have seen wonderful things. She has seen Mrs Grant who is a good-natured woman. She hopes that they will have good weather for the harvest, but also that they will visit before the harvest begins, which would make her very happy. She asks if they saw the eclipse of the moon on their tour – she thinks the whole town stayed up to look at it. Nan is not well but they...

People featured: 11
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 13
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: Barbara has sent George a purse and garters she has been making. She is glad that Charles and George have had a pleasant journey on the sea. Their friends are well, but Mrs Smyth was very ill – she is better now and likely to recover. All at Bath are well, including Robert, who takes the waters frequently. Mrs Liddiard is lying in after recently giving birth to a boy. Mrs Uthwaite has been visiting and has invited Barbara to stay, but as Barbara has been away from home a lot recently, she does not think she will go. All in Berkley Square are well – they report on ladies’ fashions in London, including the fashion for ‘enormous’ heads.

People featured: 8
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 39
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: On the reverse of this letter Barbara has written an account of the life of their ancestor Chaderton, that he may keep for family history purposes. She mentions that her account would have been better, but her eyes were aching because of too much writing. She is very worried to hear about Charles’s gout, and hopes he is restored to health soon. Mr Wodhull has improved, but he still has problems with rheumatism in his neck and shoulders, and is unable to hold up his head. Discussion of several local deaths, and a report that Mr Fox is ill. Discussion of various friends who are travelling in Europe and experiencing different fortunes. On the reverse is Barbara’s account of the...

People featured: 11
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 5
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: Discussion of how to send game to Mrs Williams and where in London she is currently lodging – they think a gift of game will cheer her up greatly because her spirits and her health are currently in a poor state. Charles and Robert have both had good shooting this season – Robert’s lameness has recovered and he is now able to walk eight or ten miles a day whilst shooting. Lord and Lady Craven continue happily. Barbara and company have attended a goose-feast, a dinner, and a ball, where they danced late into the night. Mr Wodhull and Mr Whitmore are going on a walking tour. They have had terrible thunder and lightning, and a woman reportedly died of fright. Mr Neysey is in better...

People featured: 6
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 33
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: Barbara is glad to hear that George’s sprain has mended quickly. They have had military celebrations in the town for the capturing of St Eustatia, with cannons firing, music, flags flying, dining and drinking to the health of Sir George Rodney. Discussion of reading various publications, including the trial of George Gordon, and Barbara’s purchasing of spoons that belonged to Mrs Williams. In a crossed-out section she notes that because of her inheritance from Mrs Williams she is in a good place financially and does not need any more money from George. She has been drinking Charles’s health, and wishes him well for his birthday. Bells have been ringing to mark Lord Compton’s...

People featured: 3
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 3
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: Barbara was delighted to receive an invitation to Wytham to see Robert and Mrs Johnson. In order to make sure she would have no distractions during her visit, she has just had a troublesome tooth pulled in advance of her journey. The operation was very painful and difficult, but the pain of the toothache had bothered her for days. Her mouth is still very swollen and sore, and it hurts to hold her head up to write, so she signs off the letter, sending love.

People featured: 4
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 31
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: Extended discussion of Mrs Williams’s will. Robert was unable to send the details himself because he was so hurried and tired he was unable to hold his pen to write. He will return to town to finish settling the business. Money and possessions are to be split between multiple relatives and charities, including a ring that contains Mrs Williams’s hair, and some of her clothing. She had given direction to be buried in the same manner as her husband.

People featured: 8
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 1
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: She was very happy to receive his letter, and thanks him for the offer of money, but she does not need it. Discussion of a new dog for Mr and Mrs Smyth, their daughters are staying with Barbara’s aunt. Their sister had been extremely distressed following the death of her son who was only three and a half years old. She is better than she was, and is being comforted by friends and family – it is hoped that her spirits will recover. Barbara has attended a concert and a ball at Northampton - two of the most beautiful women Barbara had ever seen were dancing with the officers, but they were not quite as handsome as Lady Craven. Barbara danced til past one in the morning. Discussion...

People featured: 8
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 29
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: Barbara thanks George for sending money. Discussion of hunting disrupted by bad weather, and on the same day Lord Deerhurst was killed in a hunting accident, ostensibly from riding his horse too quickly – Barbara hopes this will be a warning to others who go hunting. Mr Whitmore will return to his ship soon – he is as droll as ever. Mr Ingram’s servant lost his suitcase full of papers, money, and clothes. Mr Smyth is better than he was and they hope he will recover his health. Mrs Williams is very ill and not expected to live long, even though she cannot be older than sixty. Discussion of ladies fashions, and Lady Foley who was due to dance a minuet at a ball but had left her...

People featured: 12
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 27
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: Barbara has received a surprise visit from Robert and Charles – it was so brief that she wonders if it was just a dream. Mrs Johnson, Georgina and the children are all well. She worries that some of their letters are getting lost. She is pleased his travels are going well, and often wishes she could be with him. She has visited Milton, Catherine is in a better state of health than she has been in for some time, but Mrs Uthwaite has fallen down the stairs and dislocated her shoulder. Mr Throckmorton has bad gout, and is considered too young to have such a complaint, but they hope that it will act to alleviate some of his other bad health. Mrs Leapidge looks so old as to be...

People featured: 5
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 22
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: Barbara thanks her brother for sending money, thanks him for sending books and discusses sending him other books. Discussion of Garrick, who since retiring from the stage now frequently reads plays to the King and Queen. Reports that Liddiard had been dangerously ill but is now better and will travel to Bath when able to. His death would be a great loss to his family.

People featured: 8
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 11
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: Barbara is about to travel to Northampton and she would be grateful if her brother could pay her the interest she is due. She reports that Robert is much better – the waters in Bath have greatly improved his condition, and he has hopes of making a full recovery. Discussion of the estate of Mrs Pue who died recently – General Severn is very old. Mr Walker’s broken leg is so well recovered that he has been able to walk five miles around the plantation. Barbara has greatly enjoyed her time at Thenford, she has been doing lots of reading. Mrs N continues in good health but she is elderly and infirm. Mr Ingram is working the land, and has a lot of ground ‘in his hands’.

People featured: 4
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 43
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: Provides a more detailed account of their social engagements, dining, and attendance at balls. Discussion of various attendees dancing and the large numbers who have dined or breakfasted with them. Old Mrs Nicol has died, and her daughter has married a farmer’s son.

People featured: 3
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 35
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: She thanks him for sending money, but wishes that he will keep the nice tea spoons. As he hasn’t mentioned his sprained ankle in his letter, Barbara presumes it is better, but asks that he confirms this in his next letter. Mentions Serjeant Foster’s daughter, he was a very pretty girl when younger. She is sorry to hear that he has been so hurried with the business of moving house.

People featured: 3
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 193 17
Repository: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Summary: She is glad that Charles and George enjoyed their tour of the Cambrian mountains, she enjoyed George’s descriptions of the scenery, and wishes she could have seen it too. She has dined with her Aunts to celebrate George’s birthday, and they have drunk his health. Mrs Brompton died of breast cancer at the end of May. Barbara has been enjoying reading, and has met several acquaintances at Broughton Green fair. She advises that they go and hear Dr Stonehouse preach if they are in Bristol. She hopes that they are enjoying their travels and sightseeing. She hopes they will continue to write to her during their travels, as their letters bring her great joy.

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1799 (52)
Repository: John Rylands Library
Summary: Thanking them for the gifts that they have made and sent, and hoping their like her reciprocal gift of a threadcase, looking forward to her visit to see them as she doesn't know what kind of house they live in, speculating on how droll James will look in long trousers.

People featured: 2
Collection: Boscawen Collection (Fortescue papers)
Item Number: 1262M/0/FC/1 [40]
Repository: Devon Record Office
Summary: Expressing her gratitude for the letter, and for the news that they were all well, she has sent a box with a bill in it and a night gown and petticoat for Bridget, she has added a lining and trimming to it to improve it, discussing other items of clothing that she is intending to enquire about but everything is so dear at present

People featured: 4
Collection: Boscawen Collection (Fortescue papers)
Item Number: 1262M/0/FC/1 [38b]
Repository: Devon Record Office
Summary: A short note, describing how glad she was to see her cousin Anne, and wishing she could have seen her Aunt too, she is sorry to hear that her Aunt's indisposition is preventing her from travelling, discussing some issues in the execution of her father's will, wishing Lady Meadows joy of her son

People featured: 1
Collection: Boscawen Collection (Fortescue papers)
Item Number: 1262m0/FC/1 [42a]
Repository: Devon Record Office
Summary: A slightly frosty letter dealing with her Aunt's comments on Hugh Boscawen's will, suggesting that the trustees be left to make the necessary arrangements as 'they alone are can be answerable for what is contrary to the will', dutiful wishes given at the end of the letter

People featured: 3
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/3 [8]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: She is extremely happy to hear that Ann is safe and had an agreeable journey, commenting on news from Ann's letter about Mr Bond's illness, and tells her not to worry about hurrying home, detailing a trip taken by 'sister' to Sheffield, G Gregory has spent two days working in the garden which was like a wilderness