Letters, References and Notes (1856-1874) 
Relating to Anne Marsh (Marsh Caldwell)

The following is a listing of letters, references and general notes, from 1855-1874, relating to Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) and her family.  For notes relating to other years please go to Letters, References and Notes (1780-1874).

14 February 1857.  Letter from Anne Marsh to Mrs Matilda Francis Milman, later Lady Matilda Frances Milman (nee Pretyman, 1820-1890). 

My dear Mrs. Milman
The girls have been coming down every day to enquire after Dear Sir William  but the rain has made it impossible - I hope you will be able to send us a better account by my messenger and a comfortable one of you all - If the rain holds up Louisa is forced to go to her school today and tomorrow we go to church so there is no chance of getting down ourselves just at present - I hope your brother George  keeps well - I thought he looked delicate the day he was up here with Mr Milman and that all your darling little creatures are thriving.  I have such a pen I cannot write.
. . . Affectionately yours
Anne M.
Eastbury, Feb 14th
How is Maria - not . . .  . . . ? I hope 

8 March 1857.  Letter from Anne Marsh to Mr William Milman, later Sir William Milman, 3rd baronet (1813-1885).

March 8th
My dear Mr. Milman
It would be conferring a favour on me if you would dine with us upon the Friday 13th as well as upon the 12th as Mr Clarke of Swankeleys dines with us on the latest? D - and I am particularly conscious he should have a pleasant day which I know I shall secure if he meets you - I hope dear Mrs. Milman and her little jewels are thriving.
Always
Very truly yours
Anne Marsh
12 past 7 oclock is our hour on both days

10 June 1857.  Auction details for the sale of the Eastbury Estate.  Anne Marsh then moved to Deacons in Surrey.

Particulars and Conditions of sale of that fine Residential Property, Eastbury, with the Mansion, Park, Woods and Farm comprising 314 acres of freehold land, near Watford, Hertfordshire, which will be sold by auction at the Auction Mart, London on Wednesday, the 10th day of June, 1857 at 12 o'clock, by Mr Humbert.

L.Wynne, 

46 Lincolns Inn Fields 

Conditions of sale will be sent as soon as they are ready.

(Handwritten note)

x- by my Mother Mrs Anne Marsh Caldwell about 54 years after my father Mr Arthur Cuthbert Marsh's death. 

Hertfordshire. 

The Particulars and Conditions of sale of that picturesque and compact freehold estate Eastbury, comprising an area of 314 acres of arable, pasture and wood land, well timbered and admirably situated in a favourite neighbourhood in the Parishes of Watford and Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, about 2 ½ miles from the market town of Watford, (near the town there is a first class Railway Station,) and 2 ½ miles from the Pinner and from Bushey second class Railway Station, and 15 miles from London by road, with the Capital Mansion admirably placed on a gravel soil, in a well timbered and picturesque park, sheltered by its own woods from the North and North East, commanding a view of 40 miles in extent to the South and South West; with conservatory, greenhouse, gardens, lawns and shrubberies, offices, stables, ice house, out buildings and entrance lodge, farm house and farmstead; all with early possession and fit for the immediate reception of a family of distinction; which will be sold by auction by Mr Humbert at the Auction Mart,  London on Wednesday, the tenth day of June, 1857, at 12 o'clock, by direction of the Proprietor, Mrs Marsh.

The Estate conveys all the advantages of a good neighbourhood; salubrious air, unexceptionable society; ready railway communication with the Metropolis, the North and the Midland Counties; good shooting and fishing, and easy access to the meets of Lord Dacre's and Lord Lonsdale's Fox Hounds and Her Majesty's Stag Hounds; a good cheap supply of provisions; with liberal postal arrangements from its proximity to the neighbouring market town of Watford.

As a speculative purchase it is well deserving of attention; for from it proximity to the important and improving town of Watford, with its admirable railway accommodation, the Estate is almost throughout eligible for building purposes, affording most picturesque sites for the erection of first class suburban villas. N.B.A. considerable portion of the purchase money may remain in Mortgage.

May be viewed by cards only, which with all further particulars may be obtained of L.Wynne, Esq., Solicitor, 46 Lincolns Inn Fields; and of Mr. Humbert, Land Agent and Surveyor, Watford. Printed particulars with plans may also be obtained of the above, of Mr. May, Surveyor, 61 Park Street, Grosvenor Square, London; and at the Auction Mart.

Peacock & Sons, Printers, Watford.

Particulars of Eastbury.

This Estate, amongst the most picturesque in a very favourite locality, adjoins the Moor Park Estate, the seat of Lord Robert Grosvenor, M.P., and has the advantage of a neighbourhood thickly people with families of rank and distinction, with good opportunities for the gratification of a taste for Field Sports. The soil is diluvium (more  or less gravelly) on the chalk rock, at the outcrop of the sands of the plastic clay, and of easy cultivation, and the Estate yields brick earth, sand, gravel and chalk which is burnt into lime in a kiln on the Estate. There is frontage on the High Road of nearly two miles, and the Estate slopes towards the south being sheltered from the North and North East by its own woods and the Oxley Coverts adjoining whilst from the Park and several other spots a range of scenery is embraced extending full 40 miles in the distance towards the South East, including Windsor Castle and the Surrey Hills, and towards the west the County of Oxford. It comprises 314 acres of arable, pasture and wood land, all freehold, and situate within a ring fence, and consists of 181 acres of fertile pasture and park land, 75 acres of arable, chiefly light and friable, and fit for the growth of roots; and 54 acres of Woodland, natural, uncultivated and beautifully wild, affording excellent covert for game, with a good store of very thriving oak and other timber and fine plantations of Firs. The Estate consists of Eastbury Farm containing 205a. 1r. 22p., and the Farm House and Homestall, let to Mr. Caleb Eustace under lease, which will expire at Michaelmas next; and also of the Grounds attached to Eastbury the whole of which are in the occupation of the proprietor, consisting of the Mansion, Offices, Gardens and Entrance Lodge, with the Park, Woods, and Pasture Land, containing an area of 108a. 3r. 32p., and of which immediate possession can be given.

The Mansion

Which is well supplied with water from a private reservoir on the Estate is judiciously placed on a gravelly site about 200 yards from the high road, on ground sloping to the South and effectually screened from the North and North East, and is approached on the London side from the entrance Lodge by a road through the Frith Wood 40 acres in extent. The Northwood District Church is distant about a mile and a quarter by the footpath, and a mile and a half by the carriage road; there is a pew in Rickmansworth Church.

The House is convenient and spacious, has a Modern front in Suffolk Brick, with slated roof, and is entered by a Doric portico; it contains an Entrance Hal and Inner Hall; Drawing Room 28ft. x 25ft. and 11ft. 6in. high, with a commanding bow window opening (with all the windows on this, the front of the House) on the Lawn, and commanding a magnificent prospect to the South and South East. The Dining Room 26ft. x 18ft. and 11ft 6in. high. A Water Closet accessible from the Dining Room and Back Hall. The Study, which opens to the Garden by a French Window, 16ft. x 15ft.  and 10ft. 6in. high. There are two other Sitting Rooms 10ft 3in. high, one of which is 18ft. x 16ft., and the other 16ft. x 15ft. 6in. Beyond the Back Hall is the Still Room and Kitchen, and beneath is a Coal Cellar, a Larder and Dairy. Under the Drawing Room, Dining Room and Entrance Hall is the Billiard Room 26ft. x 17ft 6in., the Servants Hall 18ft. x 17ft. 6in., the Butler's Pantry and 3 Cellars.

The principal staircase leads directly to the five best sleeping chambers.

The Bedroom with the Bay window over Drawing Room is 24ft. 9ins x 16ft. 9in. and 10ft. high, and communicates with a Room of the same height and 18ft. 6in. x 10ft.

The Sleeping Chamber over the Entrance Hall is 12ft. 6in. x 12ft., and adjoining is a Chamber 18ft. x 16ft. which communicates by a Lobby with another Room 14ft. x 11ft. and 10ft. high, a second Water Closet and a Lady's Maid's Sitting or Sleeping Room, five secondary Bedrooms, four Servant's Rooms and two Lumber Rooms, making together, besides the Offices and Billiard Room and five Sitting Rooms, five best Chambers, twelve secondary Chambers, and other Rooms.

Attached is a Conservatory, a Greenhouse and conveniently place two Coachouses, two Stables with standings for seven horses, and Harness Room, Coachman's House, Laundry, Bakehouse, Barn, Cow's Stable, and Piggeries, all built in brick; a large timber built Granary on stone quoins, and a capital  Ice House; and Entrance Lodge occupied by the Gardner abuts on the high Road.

Besides the Lawn studded with good shrubs the Orchard, there is a capital large walled Kitchen Garden well stocked with fruit trees.

There is a Land Tax in the whole £18 18s. 4d.

N.B. It is proposed to submit the whole Estate to public competition, in one Lot, but should there chance to be no acceptable bidding for it, it will then be offered in two lots; as follows.

Lot 1

Eastbury Farm, in occupation by Mr. Caleb Eustace, whose tenancy will expire at Michaelmas next, comprising an area of 145a. 2r. 33p. of  Freehold land, 80a. 0r. 31p of pasture; 62a. 2r. 34p. of arable and 2a. 0r. 26p. Copse, with the good brick-built Dwelling House and Farmstead, admirably situated and susceptible of great improvement, and comprised in Nos.1 to 13 inclusive, as shewn on the annexed map of sale; the whole forming a compact and eligible Farm either for investment or occupation, with a most unexceptionable and very beautiful site in Cox's Field No.8, adjoining the high road, for the erection of a resident Proprietor's House; or for subdivision into Building Lots for Villas. Brick earth, sand and lime are close at hand.

The Lease to Mr. Eustace may be inspected at the Office of the Vendor's Solicitor. 

N.B. A considerable portion of the purchase-money may remain on the security of the Estate. 

Lot 2

Eastbury, with 168a. 2r. 21p. of Park,  Pleasure Ground, Pasture and Woodland, a perfect and compact Estate, with the Offices, Stables and Lodge Entrance, as previously described, and as shewn on the annexed Plan, comprised in Nos. 14 and 34 inclusive.

The purchaser of the whole or of either is to take at a fair valuation, to be made in the usual way, by two valuers or their umpire chosen by them, all Fixtures in and about the Mansion, Offices, Buildings, and Farm including all iron hurdles on the premises; also all timber and timber-like trees, pollards and saplings, down to 1s. per stick; also all underwood and fir and other plantations, and also the labour to the fallows, the fallow crops and the seeds and sowing, &c. The whole is sold subject to any right of way which may exist.

N.B. A considerable portion of the purchase-money may remain unpaid on the security of the Estate.

(Handwritten note) Sold to Mr Carnegie of Stanmore, Perthshire in 1857.

The following is an extract of a letter from Harriet Martineau to Erasmus Darwin, addressed from Ambleside and dated 2nd February 1860.  The extract is a short reference to the death of Anne's brother James Stamford Caldwell and the subsequent dispute in settling his will regarding the ownership of the Linley Wood estate.  The extract reads as follows:

Poor Mrs Marsh!  She has not learned self-knowledge or modesty since the old days when she used to scold me for the laws of political economy, as if they were my making. - I have looked in vain for the decision on the miserable Caldwell will case.  Judgement was deferred; and I don't see that it has been pronounced yet.  If Fanny remembers, next time she writes, I should like to know.

The following is a transcription of the scroll given to Anne Marsh Caldwell, 8 September 1860, when she officially took up residence at Linley Wood.  For more details and images click here.

To Mrs Marsh-Caldwell

Madame

We your tenants and the inhabitants of Talk-on-the-Hill and it neighbours bed to offer our sincere and hearty congratulations on your arrival here to take up your residence amongst us. We venture to hope that your residence at Linley Wood whose delightful situation and beautiful grounds offer so many attractions to the lovers of nature may be permanent.

From the experience that we have already had of your willingness to assist us in all good and charitable works whether in promoting the education of the young or ministering to the necessities of our poorer neighbours we feel confident that the position and means which Providence has assigned to you and the influence for good which that position gives to its possessor will always be exercised with the wisdom and discretion that has hitherto guided it to the promotion of true Religion and the encouragement of virtue and to the honor and Glory of Him to whom you in common with ourselves are indebted for all earthly prospects. We have only to add that on our part we trust that nothing may be wanting that can anyway contribute to render your residence here a source of unmixed happiness. May God have both you and your family in His Holy keeping.

Charles Eden, Gent.

M.W. Hutchins, Incumbent of Talk on the Hill

Samual Beardmore

George Barker

George Moore

James -

James Hargreaves

Samuel Taylor

Robert Mountford Arnold

John Freds

William Fryer 

Edwin Fryer

Robert Ohapenary

J.V. Davenport

William Thomas

William Hancock

Joseph Whittle

James Gater

Thomas Maddock

Richard Calclough

Thomas Redfern

George Redfern

Peter Dutton

William Smith

Thomas Young

William Beckett

Sarah Barker

John Shufflebottom

Julia Barker

John Mayer

Henry Rothwell

Joseph Heath

William Fryer, Senior

John Peterborough

George Wakefield

Elijah Corbett

James Cliff

William Lowe

Joseph Hood

William Cliff

William Thomas, Snr

Thomas Beardmore

Jane Redfern

William Redfern

John Moses

Thomas Alcock

Thomas S Alcock

George Whittle

Seane Chadwick

Samuel Fryer

Thomas Skerratt

Thomas Colelough

William Warburton

Gilrain Marshall

George Jackson's mark X

Frederick Porter

Samuel Tremlow

James Barron

John Bosson

Moses Chadwick

George Bosson

John Earley's mark X

Thomas Sherwin

William Elsby

Samuel Sutton

Thomas Beresford

James Cotton

Charles Dunn

Joseph Burning

Thomas Ashbrook

Thomas Procter

William Soldbutt(?)

Hugh Caldwell

James Sutton

John Jenkinson

Samuel Dale

John Bosson

Elijah Boulton

Thomas Birks's mark X

James Higgins

Alfred Hancock

Samuel Sutton Junar 

John Sutton

Elijah Bosson

James Bosson

Peter Bosson

Ralph Meyers

Joseph Ra

George Sherwin

George Hickson

James Bossan

James Wright

William Butler

Thomas Heath

Elijah Rigby

Jonathon Cotterill

Thomas Billington

George Sumner

Isaac Morris

William Davis 

James Elsby

Richard Jackson

John Evans

William Young

Thomas Rigby

William (Fonnels?)

George Grainger

Sam Rigby

Thomas Poss (Pope?)

George Recgand

Thomas Rigby

Robert Rigby

John Rigby 

Band

William Seabridge

John Breeze

John (Poctor, Hoctor?)

James Fryer

George Charlesworth

William Coldough

Joshua Johnson

Elijah Ray

John Dean

Alfred Hancock.

Extract of a letter from Emma Darwin (1808-1896) to her niece Snow (Francis Julia Wedgwood 1833-1913).  This also contained a copy of a passage from Emma Holland's (nee Caldwell) diary.  WM644 Keele University Library.  No date but presumably 1880s or 1890s.  The letter reads as follows:

My dear Snow
I cannot tell you what vivid pleasure this letter has given me, if only in putting me in mind of that ride, which was a great honour to a little girl of course.  I remember my wonder at Emma [Holland nee Caldewell] being able to force herself (she was very tall and not slender) into Eliz habit, and I wonder that Eliz herself could have worn some make shift I suppose.  I remember Harry's high spirits and the short gallop we took up the little pitches of the pretty wood we were skirting.  It is that Jos excited some interest in her mind.  I doubt whether common sense can be learnt by education, no doubt it can be improved.  There would be no liberty at Linley Wood while Mr Caldwell was in the room.  He was narrow and nervous and self conscious and is the only man I remember my father disliking.  A high Tory and I have no doubt those clever daughters had all sorts of liberal crotchets.  Mrs Caldwell was genial and delightful.  The brother [James Stamford Caldwell] the most disagreeable man (except Villiers Surtees) I ever saw.  He was always half in love with Charlotte, and kept her on the tender hooks of avoidance.  There was the same want of liberty at Shrewsbury whenever the Dr was in the room . . .
[It should be noted that while Emma Darwin says that her father (Josiah Wedgwood, 1769-1843) disliked James Caldwell, this was certainly not the case in the early 1800s when there was a great friendship between the two families.  Presumably the fall of the Marsh bank in 1824 and the decade of financial and legal turmoil which then followed, very much embittered the relationship between Josiah and James.]

If you have any information to add to what is listed please contact me on jj@jjhc.info

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