1370 - Robert Augustus Johnson to George William Johnson, 17 September 1778
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Kenilworth 17th Septr 1778
My Dear Brother
Though after the many letters we
have writen without receiving any answer, and the long time
that has elapsed since we heard from you, almost make
me despair of our letters ever coming to hand, yet I cannot
help trying again to send you some account how we go on,
and begging of you to tell us, what progress you make
in your tour? how you like the countries you have seen?
and the thousand etceteras that people at a distance
feel interested to know,of those about those they love?
We have been for some time past a good deal hurried
on account of Mr Liddiards death, he died at Bath the
9th of last month; we went there immediately afterwards
to poor Mrs Liddiard, and with her as soon as he was buried
to Rockley, where we were for some time busily employed
in destroying papers, and getting his affairs into some
tolerable order, which was by no mean an easy task,
as he has died without a Will, and left every thing
in the greatest confusion, and was so very much in debt –
that every thing must be sold for the benefit of the
creditors. This discovery was a great shock to Mrs Liddiard
[f.79v]
who had not the smallest idea of it, as he had always
represented his affairs to her, as being in a most prosperous
state. she luckily has a good jointure secure, which of
course goes to her eldest son, and an old Rich uncle has
promised to provide for the younger children. She is now
with us, but means to settle at Bath. From Rockley
we went to Benham, where we left the Ladies, and
Lord Craven carried me to Warwick Races, but unluckily
he was taken ill on the road and confined for more
than a week, which as he had never been ill before
alarmed me a good deal, however he got the better of his
disorder, and as soon aswe were able to he was able to
travel we went back to Benham, and after spending
a few days there, Mrs Craven Mrs Johnson and myself
came to Kenilworth, and doubly enjoy our being quietly settled
here, after the hurry & bustle we have been in. – The
purchase of Exton’s castle has been retarded, by a defect
in the Title, but that difficulty is now removed, and every
thing will be ready to be executed, by the time I go to
Witham to receive your rents. I wish my dear Brother
I ay be fortunate enough to get a letter from you before
that time, as I particularly want to know what you think
proper to allow Wolley for the expences of the rent day
[f.80]
and whether you would have the house insured & for what
sum? I have heard nothing particular from thence since
I was there in may, so conclude every thing goes on as it
ought to do. Charles is now there I find, by way of shooting
a few weeks, but we expect him and my sister both
here as soon as Mrs Liddiard leaves us – we have had
a most glorious summer, I never remember such a
continuance of fine weather, the harvest was com-
-pleatly in in this part of the country by the
twenty fifth of august. There are a great many
partridges, but they are very wild, and the ground is
to dry the dogs cannot hunt, but a soaking rain we
have to day, will put an end to that inconvenience.
The best wheat now sells at Coventry (rather a dear corn
country) for five shillings a bushel - . I write you no
public news, least that should be an occasion of my letters
being stopped, and indeed I know little, but what you must
have as early intelligence of in France. You have possibly
not heard of the Death of his Grace of Ancaster, his end was
said to be hastened by his concern for Lord Lindsays conduct
but the immediate occasion of his death is imagined to be
owing to the shock he received from seeing young Linley
(Mrs Sheridan’s Brother) drowned by the oversetting of a boat
on Grimsthorp Lake. Mr Bertie’s Brother of Uffington is likewise dead.
[f.80v]
Mrs Craven & Mrs Johnson desire to be most kindly remembered
to you, they are very well, so are my three little folks, who
improve daily, we talk of inoculating the two eldest in a
short time. I trust my dear Brother that we shall
[change of orientation]
A Monsr
Monsr: Johnson
Chez messrs Lullin de Tournes & Masbou
a Geneve
[change of orientation]
hear from you soon, which as it is now near five months
since we had any account of you, will give us particular
satisfaction. I address this again as I have done my
others to Geneva, as I have no other direction, Adieu
my dear Brother believe me most cordially yours
R A Johnson.
My Dear Brother
Though after the many letters we
have writen without receiving any answer, and the long time
that has elapsed since we heard from you, almost make
me despair of our letters ever coming to hand, yet I cannot
help trying again to send you some account how we go on,
and begging of you to tell us, what progress you make
in your tour? how you like the countries you have seen?
and the thousand etceteras that people at a distance
feel interested to know,
We have been for some time past a good deal hurried
on account of Mr Liddiards death, he died at Bath the
9th of last month; we went there immediately afterwards
to poor Mrs Liddiard, and with her as soon as he was buried
to Rockley, where we were for some time busily employed
in destroying papers, and getting his affairs into some
tolerable order, which was by no mean an easy task,
as he has died without a Will, and left every thing
in the greatest confusion, and was so very much in debt –
that every thing must be sold for the benefit of the
creditors. This discovery was a great shock to Mrs Liddiard
[f.79v]
who had not the smallest idea of it, as he had always
represented his affairs to her, as being in a most prosperous
state. she luckily has a good jointure secure, which of
course goes to her eldest son, and an old Rich uncle has
promised to provide for the younger children. She is now
with us, but means to settle at Bath. From Rockley
we went to Benham, where we left the Ladies, and
Lord Craven carried me to Warwick Races, but unluckily
he was taken ill on the road and confined for more
than a week, which as he had never been ill before
alarmed me a good deal, however he got the better of his
disorder, and as soon as
travel we went back to Benham, and after spending
a few days there, Mrs Craven Mrs Johnson and myself
came to Kenilworth, and doubly enjoy our being quietly settled
here, after the hurry & bustle we have been in. – The
purchase of Exton’s castle has been retarded, by a defect
in the Title, but that difficulty is now removed, and every
thing will be ready to be executed, by the time I go to
Witham to receive your rents. I wish my dear Brother
I ay be fortunate enough to get a letter from you before
that time, as I particularly want to know what you think
proper to allow Wolley for the expences of the rent day
[f.80]
and whether you would have the house insured & for what
sum? I have heard nothing particular from thence since
I was there in may, so conclude every thing goes on as it
ought to do. Charles is now there I find, by way of shooting
a few weeks, but we expect him and my sister both
here as soon as Mrs Liddiard leaves us – we have had
a most glorious summer, I never remember such a
continuance of fine weather, the harvest was com-
-pleatly in in this part of the country by the
twenty fifth of august. There are a great many
partridges, but they are very wild, and the ground is
to dry the dogs cannot hunt, but a soaking rain we
have to day, will put an end to that inconvenience.
The best wheat now sells at Coventry (rather a dear corn
country) for five shillings a bushel - . I write you no
public news, least that should be an occasion of my letters
being stopped, and indeed I know little, but what you must
have as early intelligence of in France. You have possibly
not heard of the Death of his Grace of Ancaster, his end was
said to be hastened by his concern for Lord Lindsays conduct
but the immediate occasion of his death is imagined to be
owing to the shock he received from seeing young Linley
(Mrs Sheridan’s Brother) drowned by the oversetting of a boat
on Grimsthorp Lake. Mr Bertie’s Brother of Uffington is likewise dead.
[f.80v]
Mrs Craven & Mrs Johnson desire to be most kindly remembered
to you, they are very well, so are my three little folks, who
improve daily, we talk of inoculating the two eldest in a
short time. I trust my dear Brother that we shall
[change of orientation]
A Monsr
Monsr: Johnson
Chez messrs Lullin de Tournes & Masbou
a Geneve
[change of orientation]
hear from you soon, which as it is now near five months
since we had any account of you, will give us particular
satisfaction. I address this again as I have done my
others to Geneva, as I have no other direction, Adieu
my dear Brother believe me most cordially yours
R A Johnson.
Kenilworth 17th Septr 1778
My Dear Brother
Though after the many letters we
have written without receiving any answer, and the long time
that has elapsed since we heard from you, almost make
me despair of our letters ever coming to hand, yet I cannot
help trying again to send you some account how we go on,
and begging of you to tell us, what progress you make
in your tour? how you like the countries you have seen?
and the thousand etceteras that people at a distance
feel interested to know,of those about those they love?
We have been for some time past a good deal hurried
on account of Mr Liddiards death, he died at Bath the
9th of last month; we went there immediately afterwards
to poor Mrs Liddiard, and with her as soon as he was buried
to Rockley, where we were for some time busily employed
in destroying papers, and getting his affairs into some
tolerable order, which was by no mean an easy task,
as he has died without a Will, and left every thing
in the greatest confusion, and was so very much in debt –
that every thing must be sold for the benefit of the
creditors. This discovery was a great shock to Mrs Liddiard
[f.79v]
who had not the smallest idea of it, as he had always
represented his affairs to her, as being in a most prosperous
state. she luckily has a good jointure secure, which of
course goes to her eldest son, and an old Rich uncle has
promised to provide for the younger children. She is now
with us, but means to settle at Bath. From Rockley
we went to Benham, where we left the Ladies, and
Lord Craven carried me to Warwick Races, but unluckily
he was taken ill on the road and confined for more
than a week, which as he had never been ill before
alarmed me a good deal, however he got the better of his
disorder, and as soon aswe were able to he was able to
travel we went back to Benham, and after spending
a few days there, Mrs Craven Mrs Johnson and myself
came to Kenilworth, and doubly enjoy our being quietly settled
here, after the hurry & bustle we have been in. – The
purchase of Exton’s castle has been retarded, by a defect
in the Title, but that difficulty is now removed, and every
thing will be ready to be executed, by the time I go to
Witham to receive your rents. I wish my dear Brother
I ay be fortunate enough to get a letter from you before
that time, as I particularly want to know what you think
proper to allow Wolley for the expenses of the rent day
[f.80]
and whether you would have the house insured & for what
sum? I have heard nothing particular from thence since
I was there in may, so conclude every thing goes on as it
ought to do. Charles is now there I find, by way of shooting
a few weeks, but we expect him and my sister both
here as soon as Mrs Liddiard leaves us – we have had
a most glorious summer, I never remember such a
continuance of fine weather, the harvest was com-
-pleatly in in this part of the country by the
twenty fifth of august. There are a great many
partridges, but they are very wild, and the ground is
to dry the dogs cannot hunt, but a soaking rain we
have to day, will put an end to that inconvenience.
The best wheat now sells at Coventry (rather a dear corn
country) for five shillings a bushel - . I write you no
public news, least that should be an occasion of my letters
being stopped, and indeed I know little, but what you must
have as early intelligence of in France. You have possibly
not heard of the Death of his Grace of Ancaster, his end was
said to be hastened by his concern for Lord Lindsays conduct
but the immediate occasion of his death is imagined to be
owing to the shock he received from seeing young Linley
(Mrs Sheridan’s Brother) drowned by the oversetting of a boat
on Grimsthorp Lake. Mr Bertie’s Brother of Uffington is likewise dead.
[f.80v]
Mrs Craven & Mrs Johnson desire to be most kindly remembered
to you, they are very well, so are my three little folks, who
improve daily, we talk of inoculating the two eldest in a
short time. I trust my dear Brother that we shall
[change of orientation]
A Monsr
Monsr: Johnson
Chez messrs Lullin de Tournes & Masbou
a Geneve
[change of orientation]
hear from you soon, which as it is now near five months
since we had any account of you, will give us particular
satisfaction. I address this again as I have done my
others to Geneva, as I have no other direction, Adieu
my dear Brother believe me most cordially yours
R A Johnson.
My Dear Brother
Though after the many letters we
have written without receiving any answer, and the long time
that has elapsed since we heard from you, almost make
me despair of our letters ever coming to hand, yet I cannot
help trying again to send you some account how we go on,
and begging of you to tell us, what progress you make
in your tour? how you like the countries you have seen?
and the thousand etceteras that people at a distance
feel interested to know,
We have been for some time past a good deal hurried
on account of Mr Liddiards death, he died at Bath the
9th of last month; we went there immediately afterwards
to poor Mrs Liddiard, and with her as soon as he was buried
to Rockley, where we were for some time busily employed
in destroying papers, and getting his affairs into some
tolerable order, which was by no mean an easy task,
as he has died without a Will, and left every thing
in the greatest confusion, and was so very much in debt –
that every thing must be sold for the benefit of the
creditors. This discovery was a great shock to Mrs Liddiard
[f.79v]
who had not the smallest idea of it, as he had always
represented his affairs to her, as being in a most prosperous
state. she luckily has a good jointure secure, which of
course goes to her eldest son, and an old Rich uncle has
promised to provide for the younger children. She is now
with us, but means to settle at Bath. From Rockley
we went to Benham, where we left the Ladies, and
Lord Craven carried me to Warwick Races, but unluckily
he was taken ill on the road and confined for more
than a week, which as he had never been ill before
alarmed me a good deal, however he got the better of his
disorder, and as soon as
travel we went back to Benham, and after spending
a few days there, Mrs Craven Mrs Johnson and myself
came to Kenilworth, and doubly enjoy our being quietly settled
here, after the hurry & bustle we have been in. – The
purchase of Exton’s castle has been retarded, by a defect
in the Title, but that difficulty is now removed, and every
thing will be ready to be executed, by the time I go to
Witham to receive your rents. I wish my dear Brother
I ay be fortunate enough to get a letter from you before
that time, as I particularly want to know what you think
proper to allow Wolley for the expenses of the rent day
[f.80]
and whether you would have the house insured & for what
sum? I have heard nothing particular from thence since
I was there in may, so conclude every thing goes on as it
ought to do. Charles is now there I find, by way of shooting
a few weeks, but we expect him and my sister both
here as soon as Mrs Liddiard leaves us – we have had
a most glorious summer, I never remember such a
continuance of fine weather, the harvest was com-
-pleatly in in this part of the country by the
twenty fifth of august. There are a great many
partridges, but they are very wild, and the ground is
to dry the dogs cannot hunt, but a soaking rain we
have to day, will put an end to that inconvenience.
The best wheat now sells at Coventry (rather a dear corn
country) for five shillings a bushel - . I write you no
public news, least that should be an occasion of my letters
being stopped, and indeed I know little, but what you must
have as early intelligence of in France. You have possibly
not heard of the Death of his Grace of Ancaster, his end was
said to be hastened by his concern for Lord Lindsays conduct
but the immediate occasion of his death is imagined to be
owing to the shock he received from seeing young Linley
(Mrs Sheridan’s Brother) drowned by the oversetting of a boat
on Grimsthorp Lake. Mr Bertie’s Brother of Uffington is likewise dead.
[f.80v]
Mrs Craven & Mrs Johnson desire to be most kindly remembered
to you, they are very well, so are my three little folks, who
improve daily, we talk of inoculating the two eldest in a
short time. I trust my dear Brother that we shall
[change of orientation]
A Monsr
Monsr: Johnson
Chez messrs Lullin de Tournes & Masbou
a Geneve
[change of orientation]
hear from you soon, which as it is now near five months
since we had any account of you, will give us particular
satisfaction. I address this again as I have done my
others to Geneva, as I have no other direction, Adieu
my dear Brother believe me most cordially yours
R A Johnson.
Details
Robert Augustus Johnson to George William Johnson, 17 September 1778
Laments that they have not received a letter from George for so long – but resolves to keep writing him letters nonetheless. They wonder if their letters ever come to his hand. They have been very busy since Mr Liddiard’s death – he left no will and his affairs in a great deal of disarray, and was in a great deal of debt. This revelation was greatly shocking to Mrs Liddiard, who knew nothing of their poor financial state. She intends to settle at Bath. Robert has been travelling with Lord Craven, who suddenly became ill on the journey. This worried Robert a great deal, but Lord Craven has now recovered, and they have been able to continue their travels. Charles is at Witham shooting, and they expect him and their sister to visit them soon. Discussion of the fine weather. The duke of Ancaster has died, his death was hastened by the shock of seeing young Linley die in a boat accident. Mr Bertie’s brother is also dead. Mrs Craven and Mrs Johnson are well, as are their children, who they think of inoculating soon.
Johnson Family
MS. Don. c. 193 79
Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
1778
9
17
Kenilworth, Warwickshire [England]
[England]
People
Person: Robert Augustus Johnson
View full details of Person: Robert Augustus Johnson
primary author
- travel
- visiting
- writing
hurried
- happy
- hopeful
- worried
- at home
- weather
Person: George William Johnson
View full details of Person: George William Johnson
primary addressee
hands
- sight-seeing
- travel
- visiting
Person: Charles Woolsey Johnson
View full details of Person: Charles Woolsey Johnson
other
- shooting
- travel
- visiting
How to Cite
Robert Augustus Johnson to George William Johnson, 17 September 1778, 1791778: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, Johnson Family, MS. Don. c. 193 79