Letters relating to William Marsh
9 May 1827. Letter from William Marsh's daughter, Mary Marsh (1799-1839) to their Solicitor George Delman. The original of this letter is held in the archive of the Staffordshire Record Office (4229/1/2/2/5). The letter is addressed to George Delman Esq of 25 Norfolk Street, Strand. It reads as follows:
Blackheath
Wednesday Evening 9th May 1827
Dear Sir
My father being poorly tonight with a bad cold, has commissioned me
to forward to you the enclosed letters the perusal of which will put
you wholly au fait of the business. We trust Messers . . .
[Winstanley?] & Sons will (in compliance with the injunction
contained within my Father's letter to them this evening) furnish
you, as speedily as possible, with the Documents & Papers
necessary to be inspected, before we conclude our Purchase, for we
are not a little anxious to be freed from a furnished lodging at 3
Guineas & a half a week!
With our united Kind Regards.
Believe me dear Sir truly yours
Mary Marsh
Mama hopes you are proceeding in Mr Batty's business, as Quarter day
is fast approaching and he must have his 3 months notice for repairs.
The following series of letters are all regarding the purchase of the lease of 11 York Gate, London. William Marsh was at this time 85 years old. Although he seems to be the person buying 11 York Gate, the actual purchaser is his daughter Georgina Nelson Marsh (William had gone bankrupt many years earlier in 1824 with the collapse of the family banking firm of Marsh, Stacey & Graham). Some of the following letters are also from William's eldest son Arthur Cuthbert Marsh (Georgina's half brother) who seems to have had some involvement in the purchase. These letters are all in the archive of the Staffordshire Record Office (4229/1/3/1).
Saturday Morning 3rd October 1840
My Dear Sir,
You will I trust upon your getting to Lincolns Inn this Morning have
found the Probate dear Georgina sent you of her late dear Sister's
Will! By, "her Reading" last night she thinks it appears
plain that there is full power for her to proceed with her wishes
about this House! - We were home so late that I confess I was not in
a reading humour after our dinner at 9 o'clock, and consequently, I
was taking my first Nap whilst she was reading and making up the
parcel for you! - I hope she is correct in the view she has taken of
her powers!
Mr. Hasting is the Son in Law of Major Fotheringham the Vendor, and
appears a very respectable Young Man - He brought the Agreement with
him, and after some cursory conversation, we told him we must refer
the whole to you! - You will of course have read it attentively, and
have probably taken the same view of some of the conditions as we
have done! - In the first place after Sir Wm Colebrook's occupation
and which does not expire until the 2nd or 3rd of February; there is
a fortnight (or more) required, and that for the purpose of an
auction on the Premises!! This, is highly objectionable as nothing
dirties and pulls a House about (nay even often injures it) so much
as Public Sale! - and upon further consideration also appears quite
premature to Value the usual Fixtures, until the state in which they
may be in when Sir Wm Colebrook's family may leave them! - and
another consequence would be not only the loss of time in doing what
is absolutely necessary to be done to the Premises but the further
expense of a ready furnished House! - As for the Proposal of Sir
George Colebrook becoming my Daughter's tenant upon an arrangement if
the Purchase Money should be paid as soon as the Title has been
approved. I do not see the way so clearly at present as to recommend
my daughter to accede to it: I understand Sir Wm is to pay
£4.10 per Week for 17 Weeks ending the 2nd or 3rd of February
which is £7.10 call it a third of a year my daughter would have
advanced the £1500 at 5 per cent interest would be only £25
but it must be taken into consideration that she must be at the
expense of a ready furnished house all the while, and most probably,
the fortnight required after the 2nd of February would prove the
whole of that month. Nor can I possibly recommend my daughter
to have the settling with a Party upon an Agreement, she knew nothing
about, difference of opinion upon its meaning might arise with the
Parties, however respectable and from the carelessness and
indifference of servants, as to broken Windows and other minor
injuries and entailing upon her trouble and vexation, she ought not
to have to encounter, but the delay and that for Sale on the
Premises, appears to me the most objectionable for my Daughter to
agree to that probably the most profitable mode of getting rid
of the Furniture! I may most likely be with you on Monday with
my Daughter, if she can come to Town that day - till when and always
I remain,
Dear Sir
Yours most truly
William.Marsh
P.S. I found in the course of conversation that Mr.Hasting knew your
Elder Brother.
2nd Should not the original lease be promptly seen in order to judge
if any unusual Covenants?
2nd Policy of Insurance
George Delmar Ex.
Lincolns Innfields.
Blackheath Park, Wednesday
15th October 1840
Dear Sir,
I am sorry to say, that my Daughter has taken so severe a cold, as
not to be able to leave her Chamber this morning or even her
bed! But as "Thoughts" will not be so confined, one
has started forward, which she requests me to state to you, namely,
"That as Major Fotheringham's Lease from Mr Burton, no doubt
binds him to the usual Covenant of painting the Outside of the House
once in every three years, and the Inside once in every seven, if he
has not so done, whether she is not entitled to some allowance on
this score, when she takes possession next February?" -
submitting this question to your consideration, I have only to add
that I remain always.
Your sincere humble servant
William Marsh.
Thursday Morning 22nd October 1840
Dear Sir,
Your note arrived this morning, and my daughter requests me to thank
you for the same. When Dr Clarke and we were first talking about this
House he sent me over a Memo of what he thought was the Heads of our
Agreement and at the moment I had been writing our ideas and had sent
to him. You have the former and no doubt he has sent the latter to
Mr.Hutchinsons. Should you not combine the two into a rough draft, in
order to agree the same and draw up a complete Agreement
accordingly? Now for less legal proceedings! We have a
particular friend now a Widow and who has some Valuable diamonds,
which she no longer feels any inclination to either wear or keep.
They have been valued at £1200, but if offered to a Jeweller for
purchase they (I know so much of the Trade in this way) would not
offer probably much above half! What can Messers Delmar &
Wynne have to do with this?!! I will tell you - should they
know, or hear amongst their legal friends of any Marriage going
forward in high Rank or great Opulence, and where the Gentlemen is so
much in love as to be willing and ready to make such a purchase they
may be had at least 15 or 20 percent under a Jeweller's price!
I understand the valuation I before alluded to was made by a Jeweller
- but worth, and purchase by him were quite distinct points!! -
I could have told my friend this!
Always Dear Sir yours most truly,
William Marsh
Is my old neighbour Lord L- married! Ask my friend WD.
I believe they consist of a Neckless and Earings and Locket - large
Stomacher Broach and a large ornament for the Head which may be used
in their distinct parts;
If we did not really feel a warm and sincere &ldots; for the Party in
question, you would not have had "your Ear bound" for these
Ear Rings!
L: Wynne Esquire
Blackheath Park, 24 October 1840
Dear Sir,
My daughter and self agree with you, that under circumstances a
formal stamped Agreement between her and Dr Clarke, for this House,
may not be necessary; still I wish that you would send me the
"Two Memorandums" "having this tendency" that
were made by Dr Clarke and myself, one written by him and the other
by me! - at the moment I had written mine the Dr sent me his.
Together they will explain about Fixtures etc etc, and I think it may
be convenient that we should now agree them together.
Mr.Gilbert, at our Library and who is also an auctioneer is to settle
what shall be deemed Fixtures. I believe both these papers are with
our friend, Mr Delmar's budget in the Concern! If Mr Hutchinson
has either or both, I conclude he will not object to giving them to
you! - always
Dear Sir
Your sincere humble servant
William Marsh
Another "Memo" - although the above is not some of my best
writing, still I am of opinion, that your's might be improved by the sample!!
Blackheath Park, 29th October 1840
Dear Sir,
I have just received the enclosed letter. The writer is our Carpenter
and accompanied by my daughter's desire Mr Townsend of Greenwich, a
regular sworn appraiser and who had before been employed by us! and
who I find has not agreed with &ldots; &ldots; upon sundry articles
the latter has put down for valuation! In this case if neither
will give way, I conclude if they are of consequence enough a third
person must be referred to!! - of this we cannot judge till we see Mr
Townsend. The first article named "The Iron Flower Stand in the
garden cannot I think be deemed a fixture, but when the time of sale
arrives we may then have it in our choice to take it at Valuation, or
let it go in the Catalogue and take it's chance - with respect to
many of the other Articles Mr Townsend (I find) and the writer of the
enclosed object to, may I think in a great measure be judged of, by
referring to the original Lease from Mr Burton, and if there is a
Schedule upon the same in which any of them are specified they
certainly must then be considered as part of the freehold or
Premises!- I am sorry the state of the Painting struck them both to
be very bad, particularly the Dining Room! - The state of the Weather
this morning prevented our coming to Town as we intended, and have
brought the enclosed with us, but we hope it may be better tomorrow
and in which case we at present intend paying you a Visit in the
course of the morning! - I cannot omit saying that I never saw a
House finished and offered for sale, that the Dressers in the Kitchen
and many of the articles named in the enclosed were not finished and
put up - They form great Eye-Traps, and no man understood such
things, better, than my late esteemed friend Mr Burton! but then in
this case I cannot doubt they would have been (and are) scheduled on
his Lease!
Always yours most truly
William Marsh
Blackheath Park, 11th November 1840
Dear Sir,
Upon my return home yesterday evening, I found your letter of the day
before. The Policy you will find (or it ought to be there) in the Tin
Box we had from poor Mr Rowles's, so recently!! It is made at
the British Fire Office but I believe there is the furniture of this
House, besides other Property Insured in it! I believe it is a
Midsummer Policy, and the Premium was paid the 3rd July up to
Midsummer next as you will see by the accompanying Receipt. If
Dr Clarke is not engaged I could wish he would continue the Policy in
that Office and Mr Helps, the secretary, will easily make the
necessary arrangements for so doing. I also send you the Receipt for
my Tax including the Tithe (10/10 per annum) for the last year except
the 2nd last quarter ending 5 October last as it only came in
yesterday when we were from home. It is increased from the usual sum
of £4.15.10 ½ to £5.5.9, owing to the late 10 per cent
being now become due. The Tax Collector lives at Charlton, but we
will send over and pay it, as he may not otherwise call for 10 days
or a fortnight, and bring it when my Daughter calls on you to sign
the Agreement. You know you thought it not worth while to make
out a full and formal Agreement in which we fully accorded - it was
fully however understood between us that the Dr was to have for his
Purchase Money all the fixtures in the House, and that Mr.Gilbert
should determine the point as to what ought to be deemed
"Fixtures", being an Auctioneer and Appraiser and that Dr
and Mrs Clarke would take at a valuation such articles of furniture
as appear suitable to the House, and their convenience when we left
it. The only thing stipulated for in the proposed Agreement I gave Dr
Clark at the time was that he should take at Valuation Dr Arnold's
stove in the Hall, as there is no possible place for it where we are
going. I am of course to conclude you will be as kindly attentive as
to see that all Rates and Taxes are paid for No.11 York Gate up to Michalmas
(X called Rent Change)
Michaelmas but, and more particularly how that House now stands as to
insurance - at whose risk is it now? The Office at which I
conclude there is an existing Policy, should be applied to and notice
given of the changed premium:- and indeed a proportionate sum that my
Daughter ought to pay for the remaining period of the year, as we do
not know at what time of the year the Policy was made: - would Dr
Clarke be safe if any accident happened to this House before
Midsummer next, or could we &ldots; of the British after my Daughter
had executed the Agreement, and account with the Doctor afterwards! -
I have I am afraid owing to a day yesterday out of my usual course,
and sundry interruptions, written a confused epistle to you, but if
it was ten times worse, I know you would readily make it out! - and
amend it accordingly! - always
Dear Sir
Your sincere humble servant
William Marsh
I have omitted to say that my son when he left us talked of making a
longer stay than usual at Boulogne indeed, that unless something
particularly occurred he should not come possibly much before
Christmas, so as to return there with his son from Eton! - Will Dr
Clark's solicitor insist upon his signature promptly? - If so the
Agreement must be sent over to him unless it will suit him to come himself.
His address is
"A.C. Marsh Esqr
Chateau de Tus, Capicure
Boulogne surmer"
And if necessary it would save time for you to write him and ask, if
he is not coming over the best way to send the Agreement to him to
Execute, I mean the Place in London and the name of the Steamer he
goes by generally and is known to the Captain - plenty of English
Witnesses at Boulogne!
I mean until he has paid His proportion and had the Transfer noted at
the British?
Blackheath Park, 16 Nov 1840
Dear Sir,
I this morning received your letter of yesterday! - in the
first place my Daughter and self will be with you punctually at 2
o'clock on Friday next. We do not know at what office
Mr.Moreton insured this House before my Daughter bought it, or
whether she had not imprudently run the risque contrary to the
Covenant with MrCator. All we can trace on the point is, an
Item, in our friend Mr Delmar's Bill dated the 7th of June 1827 as
follows - "attending at the British Fire Office and effecting an
Insurance on the House and Premises" now this was the period
when we took possession, it is evident that there was not any
arrangement necessary with Mr Moreton, on account of any subsisting
Policy of his! Ever since our Policy has been regularly,
according to the Covenant with Mr Coles been kept up and therefore it
does not occur to me what &ldots; for this enquiry! - enclosed is the
receipt for the last 2 quarters assessed Taxes we could not send
before, for the reasons stated in my former letter. You do not
say what you have done about my son's signature! Our Policy you will
find in the Tin Box you had from "Stratton Street"!!
Always
Dear Sir
Yours Truly
William Marsh.
Blackheath Park, 18th November 1840
Dear Sir,
I am favoured with your note of yesterday, and in consequence of Mr
Hutchinson's repeated wish, to know where Miss Moulton had Insured
these Premises, I was upon the point of writing a note and sending
over to Greenwich to Mr.Parker of Thornton Row, who I recollect was
her solicitor when my Daughter purchased this House, in the hope that
he probably might be able to answer the question, when it struck me,
I had seen a Fire Office Plate fixed upon the end of this House in a
Dying Ground where I seldom go, and I sent my servant round to look
at it. He says "the figure is a sort of Bird, with the
Motto Safety under it" - My Daughter has since been to look at
it, and her report leaves me without doubt upon the point, namely,
that it was "the Phoenix Office". As she was the first
Inhabitant and we the second, I think proves the case: Whatever
passed upon the subject of my late dear Daughter Mary's share in this
House must have been with my daughter Georgina and not with me, but I
understand from her that it is her wish to arrange with her brother
as &ldots; for her late dear Sister's proportion of the Purchase
Money from Dr Clarke! and that when her Brother again comes over from
Boulogne they will settle this arrangement! To return to Mr
A's question? - as I repeat there have been no other
inhabitants in this House, but Miss Moulton and ourselves, and assure
the moment the Assignment was made to my Daughter made an Insurance
at the British, namely, on the 7th June 1827, through our friend
Mr.Delmar, the Plate from the Phoenix must have been that Lady's
Insurance. Myself and daughter were very sorry to hear this
morning by a letter from Canterbury, that our friend Mr Delmar had
been so ill as to call for the aid of a Physician! - We thought he
was at Brighton! We hope he is again quite convalescent: - I am always
Dear Sir
Yours very sincerely
William.Marsh
You have no doubt found our Policy in the Tin Box form poor Mr
Rowles's!- there is also a Will of Mrs Tresilian Mr.Marshes Sister in
that Box - take care of it:-
L.Wynne Esqr
[The following letter is post marked 19 November Boulogne and is addressed as follows:]
Messers Delmar & Wynne
46 Lincoln's Innfield's
London
[The letter reads as follows:]
Boulogne
Wednesday 18 November 1840
My dear Sir
Your letter of the 14th not having been put into the Post Office in
time that day, did not reach me until last night. I have seen
nothing of the Conveyance and although I have been inquiring after it
both at the office of the "General Steam Packet" office,
and that of the "Commercial Company" in this town, I can
gain no tidings of it. I will execute it and return it as soon
as possible after receiving it. Meantime I think it right to
let you know how matters stand.
Believe me yours very truly.
AC Marsh.
[The following letter is addressed]
Messrs Delmar and Wynne
46 Lincolns Inn Fields
London
[It is post marked Boulogne, 22 November 1840. It reads as follows:]
Boulogne.
Saturday Afternoon
21 November 1840
My dear Sir
The deed has just been delivered to me. I have executed it and
return it by the Harlequin Steam boat belonging to the General Steam
Packet Company, 69 Lombard Street, which will start to weigh for
London at 10 o'clock unless the gale now blowing should
increase. One of my Daughters (of age) is the Witness to my Signature.
Believe me yours very truly
AC Marsh
Blackheath Park , 5th February 1841
Dear Sir,
Yesterday was the day of sale of Major Fotheringham's goods as No.11
York Gate - my daughter employed a person to bid for sundry lots, and
has accordingly Purchased to the amount of £49.7.0!; but he does
not state whether he advanced the money at the Hammer, or that he
informed Mr McShane who they were for, and we had therefore concluded
that he had done so and that there would be an Account to Balance,
but by a letter just received from Mr McShane he does not say
one word about these Lots but merely requests to know to whom
he shall pay the proportion of Sir George Colebrooks Rent coming to
my Daughter? - Otherwise he must in his letter have stated the
above purchase Money!. Our old Acquaintance Mr Featherstone of
Paradise St, MaryleBone kindly undertook to employ a Person to bid
for us, but he is also silent at who advanced the money for our
Lots! I have written to them both, requesting Mr McShane to pay
you the proportion of my Daughters share of the Rent, for she has
quite forgot the amount, and some time should it appear that the Lots
are still owing for, and should it appear the Lots are still owing
for to settle the same and should the Balance be against my daughter
she will send you a draft for the difference, and at the same time
include what you have kindly pay in settling the fire Insurance for
York Gate, which she wishes to do! Should not Mr Featherstone have
paid the £49.7.0 for the Lots we have requested him to call upon
you for it, and whatever St.George's Rent may fall short she will as
I have said before promptly send you a draft for the amount!
Kind remembrances to Mr Delmar and I remain always yours
Dear Sir very sincerely.
William Marsh.
In one of your &ldots;
I cannot but conclude Mr Featherstone has paid for the lots. My
Daughter now sends their then the Balance in acknowledgement.
[Letter addressed to:] George Delmar Esq, 4b Lincoln Innfields. 9 Feb 1840
The Park, Blackheath
9 February 1841
My dear Mr.Delmar,
Myself and daughter thank you for your note of yesterday.
We had been expecting to hear about the Possession of the House and
have now no doubt "all is right" owing to Mr.Featherstone's
kind attentions. We observe that that we owe you £2.19.0,
Balance between my Daughter's Purchase and the proportion of Rent
coming to her. We also believe there is some trifle Mr Wynne
has kindly paid on account of Insurance. Georgina will take an
early opportunity of calling and settling both! Mr McShane has
forgot that Mr.Featherstone pointed out to him a trifling mistake in
Lot 52, I believe which should have made his Claim £49.6.0 only
instead of £49.7.0. We most sincerely regret Mr Wynne's
illness, but we hope it is only of a temporary nature, a severe cold
which is hardly to be avoided even by those who like myself keep in a
warm House! Still I have not entirely escaped! You wrote
me at Christmas to Hertford about an application you had had relative
to the Will of my old friend Mr James Piery. Have you heard any
thing further on that subject? I have found letters &ldots;
since I returned home, which I think show enough to prove that except
a dividend that has not been taken up he was more probably in debt to
the House beyond his assets. At all events he is not in the
list of the Creditors of the House, which he would have been had he
had any Balance on the Accounts. I see we proved the Will 14
January 1812 P.Stamp under £300! I have therefore little
doubt the Dividend which was then just payable was forgot - but I do
not imagine his Stock was £300!- because of course for the
P.Stamp we see &ldots; upon all the valuation his property! His
son after the "Bank" went to America I see I must have
written to him fully after his Father's death to Norfolk in Virginia
from whence I find a subsequent letter from him. He had a large
family by his 1st wife for I think he married a 2nd time and had a
further family - I really have not been able this Matter, to go
to the Bank about it, for as no doubt it would now take a whole
morning to get through it. Post waits. Believe me
yours truly
William Marsh
Vile ink, I can get none good here.
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