| Description | These letters were first copied by Henry Cooper and Joseph Carter on slips of paper and then transcribed into this book by Joseph Carter in September 1861]
All letters are from Porter unless stated otherwise below. Comprising:
Page 1. To Mr A Stenhouse, Brampton: Giving notice that his employment will cease on 30th June 1859 and vacant possession of his house will be required. (1 Jan).
Page 2. To Alexander Haldane Esq: Arranging a date for the return of the key to the Muniment Room. (7 Jan).
Page 3. To Alexander Haldane Esq: Enquiring about the extent and tenure of farms connected to the estate. Also acknowledging a report on a farm in Essex. (10 Jan).
Page 4. To Mrs Puckle, Grafham: £20 donation from OBS to the schools in Grafham. (7 Jan).
Page 5. To Alexander Haldane Esq: Acknowledging letters of 8th & 10th Jan. (11 Jan).
Page 6. To Mr Selwyn, Hemingford: Regarding 10s donated by Mr Obins and £5 by OBS to Mrs Selwyn’s collection. (12 Jan).
Page 7. To Mr Looker, Wyton: Relating to the felling and sale of an ash tree. (13 Jan).
Page 8. To Alexander Haldane Esq: Arranging a meeting. (17 Jan).
Page 9. To Alexander Haldane Esq from James Leman: Asking Haldane to stop writing to OBS and to return the ¾ salary as auditor he has paid himself.. (23 Jan).
Page 10. To Mr Gregson, Essex: OBS has influenza, so unable to deal with any business. (27 Jan).
Page 11. To Mr Norris, Esssex: Sending a payment of £41-7-10. (27 Jan).
Page 12. To James Leman Esq, London: Pointing out an error in rental 1854 - £100 error in favour of Mr Haldane. (27 Jan).
Page 13. To William Fowler, Esq, Huntingdon: Instructing him not to part with any court rolls, deeds or papers belonging to OBS, except to himself. (30 Jan).
Page 14. To Mr John Hall: Regarding thatching and new gates at his farm in Ellington. (29 Jan).
Page 15. To J S O’Brien Esq: Asking for details of an annuity payment from the Duke of Manchester to OBS – to ensure payments had gone directly to her – in particular, a payment made on 6th October 1847. (1 Feb).
Page 16. To James Leman Esq: OBS still unable to be troubled by business – this relates to a Mr Baxter. (1 Feb).
Page 17. To Mr John Wade: HJKP is unable to leave to visit Essex due to the illness of OBS. (1 Feb).
Page 18. To Mr W Ridger: Response to an application for a tenancy. (1 Feb).
Page 19. To Mr George Armstrong: Agreeing to cropping a woodfield. (5 Feb).
Page 20. To J Alderman, 16 Soho Square: Payment of £27-7-6. (5 Feb).
Payment of £2-16-0 to C Asprey. (0 1).
Page 21. To Mr Henry Harpur: Overdue payment of rent (£5 for 1 year) for a farm in Grafham. (5 Feb).
Page 22. To No addressee: Recommending no further expenditure on OBS’s missionary projects (although she is now expected to recover). (9 Feb).
Page 23. To Mr Cooley Carter: Receipt for £1 rent for a smallholding, paid to Mr Stenhouse. (14 Feb).
Page 24. To George Norris Esq: Order for 256 copies of ‘The Way of Peace’, if he has them [Mr Norris is a bookseller in St Ives]. (14 Feb).
Page 25. To James Leman Esq: Regarding the checking of bank accounts (Goslings Bank) during the period 1850-55. OBS still too weak to be bothered with business. Relates also to Haldane’s tenure. (14 Feb).
Page 26. To B A Greene Esq: Regarding his appointment of deputy in the stewardship of certain manors (not specified). (14 Feb).
Page 27. To Mr George Armstrong: He has ploughed too close to the bridle path passing through his farm. (16 Feb).
Page 28. To No addressee: Enquiry relating to the appointment of a gardener for OBS from the estate at Tandragee (Ireland). (16 Feb).
Page 29. To Mr H Harpur: Asking for his account up to 31 December 1858 asap. (16 Feb).
Page 31. To Mrs Sarah Maile, Godmanchester: Final demand for rent. (16 Feb).
Page 32. To Mr Thomas Clifton: Final demand for rent. (16 Feb).
Page 33. To Mr John Bird: Querying building work on Tibbetts Farm not completed despite £172 being paid. (16 Feb).
Page 34. To Mr H East: OBS has subscribed to a publication (March 1855), but it has not been supplied. (19 Feb).
Page 35. To James Leman Esq: Relating to action on Haldane’s letters and the timber account. OBS still ill. (19 Feb).
Page 36. To Mrs Maile: Further query on rent payment. (20 Feb).
Page 36.5. To Mr John S Gordon: Payment of £17-9-0 for Record newspapers and books to 31 December 1858. (21 Feb).
Page 37. To Mssrs Gosling & Sharpe: Asking for bank books for 1st Jan 1837 - 4th April 1855 – to check rentals collected by Haldane. (21 Feb).
Page 38. See p. 36.5.
Page 39. No addressee: Relating to payment for the ‘Record’ newspaper, the ‘Illustrated News’ and ‘The Antidote’. (23 Feb).
Page 40. To the proprietor of ‘The Antidote’: Henceforth to be supplied by Mssrs Dawson & Sons [previous letter is probably to them]. (23 Feb).
Page 41. To Mr W Tarn: Querying bill for £5-13-2. (23 Feb).
Page 42. To James Leman Esq: OBS & Duke of Manchester want to alter a trust, replacing Mr Haldane with Mr Baillie – to be done immediately. Still waiting on bank books to check the accounts. (24 Feb).
Page 43. To John S Gordon: More about the supply of newspapers. (24 Feb).
Page 44. To Mssrs Seeley & Jackson: Payment of £2-8-7 for books, overdue from before his tenure. (25 Feb).
Page 45. To Mr H East: Returning a manuscript which OBS is too ill to read. (25 Feb).
Page 46. To Mr Thomas Clifton: Final demand for rent with legal action threatened. (25 Feb).
Page 47. To Alexander Haldane Esq: Asking for all papers, accounts etc. to be delivered to Leman at Lincoln’s inn Fields, letter signed by OBS. (26 Feb).
Page 48. To Alexander Haldane Esq from "Ossulston" [Charles Bennet, 6th Earl of Tankerville: Demanding the return of all papers and deeds relating to the trust.. (28 Feb).
Page 50. To Rev A R Pain: Money sent relating to a school on OBS’s estate. (28 Feb).
Page 51. To Rev J H Barber: Receipt for rent received and a query about direct payments to Veasey’s Bank. (28 Feb).
Page 52. To Mssrs Gosling & Sharpe: Acknowledgement of letters. (28 Feb).
Page 53. To A Green Esq: Acknowledgement of letter and schedules. Also Register of Votes and Copy of the Poll. (28 Feb).
Page 54. To Duke of Manchester: Concerning an annuity to OBS. (28 Feb).
Page 55. To Alexander Haldane Esq: Asking for correspondence relating to New Zealand property. (1 Mar).
Page 56. To James Leman Esq: Relating to the checking of bank statements for Veasey and Goslings banks – no great discrepancy found with Haldane’s accounts. (2 Mar).
Page 57. To Mr John Bird: Payment for work done and requesting an estimate for work on cottages at Warboys. (3 Mar).
Page 58. To Goslings & Sharpe: Asking for bank entries up to Monday 28th February. (3 Mar).
Page 59. To Alexander Haldane Esq: Asking if he knows where rentals collected between 1840 and 1850 are. (4 Mar).
Page 60. To Mr W Yapp: Payment. (8 Mar).
Page 61. To Mr Hart: Payment for gas burners. (6 Mar).
Page 62. To Mssrs Chambers & Co, Dublin: Payment for books. Asking for 5% discount for prompt payment in cash. (8 Mar).
Page 63. To Mssrs W & H Atkinson: No bark for sale. (17 Mar).
Page 64. To Mr Arthur Beutall: Regarding the executors of Mr Bammon (a tenant). (17 Mar).
Page 65. To James Leman Esq: He is sending the ‘Essex Deed’ with the butler to London. Also asking that no further action be taken on the ‘Selwyn Documents’ as believing the matter settled has caused OBS’s health to improve. (31 Mar).
Page 66. To Mr Richard Carter: Added to waiting list for a farm. (1 Apr).
Page 67. To Executors of late Mr Bammon: Regarding the tenancy of Bammon’s Farm (Essex). (1 Apr).
Page 68. To The secretary of the Committee of Council on Education: Applying on behalf of Henry Gamble, pupil teacher at Brampton C of E School from April 1852-April 1857, for a certificate for completing his apprenticeship and passing exams. (10 May).
Page 69. To Mrs Andrews, Brampton: Terms for taking over Mr Stenhouse’s property on 1st June. (24 May).
Page 70. To Miss Yeoman: Termination of appointment as school mistress at Brampton School on 1st July. (28 May).
Page 71. To Miss Riddesdale [Ridsdale]: Relating to the dismissal of Miss Yeoman due to inappropriate behaviour and language. (Miss?) Wakeford to be sent to an alternative appointment. (4 Jun).
Page 72. To Rev H A Ridsdale: More about the behaviour of Miss Yeoman and the arrangements for Wakeford to leave the school. (7 Jun).
Page 73. To Miss Ridsdale: Apology for misunderstanding relating to Lady Audrey Ridsdale. (11 Jun).
Page 74. To The Committee of Council on Education: Returning indenture for Wakeford’s apprenticeship, OBS will not consent. HJKP to take over supervision of schools. (11 Jun).
Page 75. To The Committee of Council on Education: More on Miss Yeoman (now Mrs Ladds)’s dismissal. Miss Seaward to take over as Mistress until a certified mistress arrives on 1st Jan 1860. Elizabeth Newberry’s apprenticeship to be postponed until then. Miss Slowe is Assistant Mistress and Mary & Fanny Dart are helping with the teaching. (17 Jun).
Page 76. To : Reference for Mr Alexander Stenhouse (former gardener) from OBS. (30 Jun).
Page 77. To Mr William Henry Armstrong: Asking to have some land returned, including grassland in the Park (26 acres) and offering Mr Stenhouse’s meadow on Portholme instead if desired. (1 Jul).
Page 78. To Mr Scotney: Asking for a meeting. (18 Jul).
Page 79. To James Leman Esq: OBS approves an offer of arbitration through Mr Baxter. (21 Jul).
Page 80. To Rev R Pain [Vicar of Bury]: Regarding the transfer of the school house in Bury. (29 Jul).
Page 81. To Mssrs Taylor & Son: Payment for a garden engine. (4 Aug).
Page 82. To Dawson & Son: Payment of accounts for ‘The Antidote’ and it’s replacement ‘The Constitution’. (5 Aug).
Page 83. To Daniel Robert Scratton Esq: Asking him to pay the cost of the tiles used on the farm in five annual instalments (of £3-12) on top of the annual rent of £70 pa. (31 Aug).
Page 84. To W Gregson Esq: Current tenant of the above farm who has made the improvements with the tiles (drainage). (31 Aug).
Page 85. To Daniel Robert Scratton Esq: More on the costs relating to the tiles and labour. (6 Sep).
Page 86. To Rev A R Pain: Payments for Bury Schools. To be increased from £5 to £10 pa. (20 Sep).
Page 87. To Mr Joseph Negus: Returning an unauthorized account. (20 Sep).
Page 88. To D Robert Scratton Esq: Arrangements for him to take possession of Belfairs Farm. (7 Oct).
Page 89. To Rev James Potter: He will consult Valentine Hill [Duke of Manchester’s agent] about breaking up of grassland on his holding. (9 Nov).
Page 90. To R J E Evans Esq: Appointment of teachers recommended by Lady Harburton by OBS – this will prevent someone proposed by Mrs Mitchell. (9 Nov).
Page 91. To Circular to Godmanchester (9 copies): Demand for rent on Wednesday 16th November. (14 Nov).
Page 92. To Edward Fellows Esq: Saying he will represent OBS at a meeting at March on 22nd November on the subject of drainage. (16 Nov).
Page 93. To Mr Wise: As above. (16 Nov).
Page 94. To Mr Downes Martin: Receipt for rent for land held by him and Mr William Wool. (17 Nov).
Page 95. To John Lawrence Esq: Directing him to Edward Maule, Steward of Lord Sandwich. (17 Nov).
Page 96. To James Leman Esq: He will send a statement (for court case?). (17 Nov).
Page 97. To Mr John Tibbett: Arranging to meet at the Griffin Hotel in March for breakfast and a trip to Doddington. (18 Nov).
Page 98. To Rev James Potter: Permission to cultivate grassland. (18 Nov).
Page 99. To Mr A Booth: HJKP unable to attend a meeting. (21 Nov).
Page 100. To Mr Holah: OBS says no more practices or business relating to the Band to be held in the Infants’ Nursery. (21 Nov).
Page 101. To Miss Seaward: Meetings of the School Band to be held henceforth in the infants’ nursery rather thn the female school to prevent assistant mistresses Miss Slowe and the Misses Dart attending. (21 Nov).
Page 102. To Mr George Morris Fox [Auctioneer & Estate Agent]: Payment for account submitted and notification that OBS does not want to engage the Institution for next year. (23 Nov).
Page 103. To Mr A Booth: Regarding the running of committee meetings which his group must pay for as OBS will only pay for the Sunday evening meetings of Mr Burke. (23 Nov).
Page 104. To Mr George Armstrong: Agreeing to pay half the cost of the tiles (up to £10) for draining of the field. (23 Nov).
Page 105. To Mr John Bird: Relating to a garden occupied by Mr Bull. (24 Nov).
Page 106. To Rev J R Ross: OBS to cease sending aid to Mr Montague as he has two sons employed who should be able to support him. (6 Dec).
Page 107. To Mr Potto Brown: Regarding taxes to be paid by tenants on their holdings. (6 Dec).
Page 108. To C Hodgson Esq: Acknowledging an enquiry on a matter dating back some 50 years. (7 Dec).
Page 109. To Rev A Peck [Edward Ansley Peck]: Rev W Parker to pay £10 pa to Houghton School. Also recommending the elder Miss Dart as teacher. (16 Dec).
Page 110. To Rev G W Wallis: OBS to discontinue subscriptions to a school in Pogglesham [actually Paglesham, Essex] where she has just two farms. (16 Dec).
Page 111. To The Secretary of Alliance Office: Relating to insurances paid through the agency of Mr W Moore (4 Carey Street). (17 Dec).
Page 112. To Geary Esq: Regarding the correct income tax changed by Mr Tiller on him and on OBS’s Chaplain, Mr Burke. (18 Dec).
Page 113. To Hon William Napier: Enquiring about the terms of a proposed loan of £1000 from the Land Improvement Company for the building of a house on a tenant’s farm. (18 Dec).
Page 114. To Mr Tiller: Asking him to charge tax only on the stipend of Rev john Burke and not on his residence, as has been agreed in his own case.. (18 Dec).
Page 115. To Mr William Moore: Sending £48-14-6, the amount of several sums insured. (21 Dec).
Page 116. To William Gregson Esq: Regarding accounts including Manor Court Fines. (22 Dec).
Page 117. To Mr Holah & Mr Brown: Advising on the costs of drainage tiles. (26 Dec).
Page 118. To Mr H Wood: Relating to a bill for timber. (27 Dec).
Page 119. To Mr Jackson: About the payment for timber (via Mr Wood). (27 Dec).
Page 120. To Mr Thomas James: Regarding the payment of rent for Mrs Lake. (27 Dec). |