Francis Marsh – aged 70/71 if alive – elder brother of Milbourne, Mary and George – unmarried
Milbourne Marsh – aged 69/70 – father of Eliza, Francis and John – died this year
Catherine Marsh (ne Soan) – 2nd wife of Milbourne Marsh
Major Francis Milbourne Marsh – aged 40/11 – 90th Regiment of Foot – Leeward Island
John Marsh – aged 31/32 – British Consul in Malaga, Spain – until July
Mary Duval (ne Marsh) – aged 66/67 – Sister of George and Milbourne
John Duval – husband of Mary Duval
Elizabeth Morrison (ne Duval) – 26/27 – daughter of John Duval and Mary (Marsh)
James Morrison – aged 4/5
James Crisp Esq – died this year
Eliza Crisp (ne Marsh) – aged 43/44 – daughter of Milbourne Marsh – Dhaka / Calcutta
Burrish Crisp – aged 16/17 – son of James Crisp and Eliza (Marsh) – Calcutta
Elizabeth Maria Crisp (later Shee) – aged 14/15 – daughter of James and Eliza Crisp – Chatham, Kent with her grandparents.
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Letter Milb Marsh to George Marsh – 11 Feb 1779
My dear Brother,
I have been so ill as not able to you since my last. I now understand the £60 you mentioned was part of the £200 I desired you to advance Mrs Crisp. I was afraid she wanted £60 more, which I will never advance a penny more to her, for had it been £600 instead of £60 she would a gott it all if she could, and not even left me a shilling to pay for the Victualling dept, or buried me, so much of her Husband’s principals has she imbued.
I have altered my will and took from what I had left the girl as much as will pay my depts. Indeed brother she has gave me great uneasiness and wish she had not come home. It will be necessary to give her a hint, that should she get Frank Marsh, or anybody else at Portsmouth to advance her any money just before she sails (as she did Mr Ommany when she went out) that I will not answer any bill she may draw on me. I will know my dear brother you will do for me as if it was for your self. God bless you.
Milbourne Marsh.
Note on envelope by William Marsh – Paper relating to my Uncle and his son Major Marsh’s affairs and the Copy of the Will of the latter
George Marsh
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Letter from Mrs E. Crisp (Elizabeth Marsh) to her Uncle George Marsh (1722-1800)
Weevil 7 April 1779 returns thanks for kindness.
My Dear Sir
Weevil 7 April
We arrived here yesterday about six o’clock in the evening – our journey was pleasant and easy thanks to your kind care and advice.
We have received a friendly welcome from Cousin Frank and wife, who have made many enquiries after yourself and my dear Aunt, who I hope is much better than when we left her. We wished to have taken a more particular leave of her, yet perhaps it may be better we did not, as our spirits were greatly agitated. I have much to thank her for: the tender regard she had always showed to my Poor Girl will ever be remembered with the highest gratitude, as well as all your kind and affectionate assistance; indeed my dear Uncle, I have not words to express all I wish and have no other way of ever making you the smallest return, buy by everlasting love and duty.
Bettsy is now entertaining the family at the Spinet, which was got nearly for her and a very great advantage. She sends her dear Aunt Marsh her love and a thousand good wishes for a return of health and spirits, do add mine to her also, with the same to yourself, and kindest remembrance to our cousins, being always my dear sir
Your affectionate and
Obliged Niece
Eliza Crisp
PS
If you see Mr Morrison please to give our loves to him and Aunt Duvell, I will write them tomorrow.
I beg leave to remind you of letters you said you believed you could get for Burry to Mr Weeller and Mr Francis of Bengal, Supreme Councellers.
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File 0525
Letter
22 April 1779
From Mr. Rymer
Sir,
In writing to a friend, a Patron,m an open heart, a grateful mind will be unguarded in expression. In the present case, Sir, I am addressing myself to one who will take no advantage of the foibles of human nature; wherefore I will disclose myself without reserve.
It is a delicate an unpleasing task to write concerning one’s self.
I had the happiness to meet you in the street. You stopt, you spoke to a poor Surgeon of a Man-of-War with all that frankness, that dignity of affability and friendship which ennobles man and renders him the object of universal respect, love and veneration.
You said, what are you doing in Town. How do you like your ship? I was not willing to detain you. Neither was I prepared then to answer, at (Paige?) questions, which although accidental, touched me so very sensibly.
Having been on board five months, my principal motive in coming to Town was to enjoy the blesssings of natural liberty for the preservation of health and to publish a few thoughts I wrote on board to drive away care and occupy hours which without employment,would have been to me, hours of melancholy. Nature has given me an activity of mind, a restlessness of disposition, that I must be doing something.
My greatest misfortune is, I cannot reconcile myself to a Ship notwithstanding I am happy with every one. Even my Captain, who is rather a strange man., He counts my company, he professes regard – – – need middle bit
my company – – ?
Few young men in my line have been more fortunate than myself. And it is with gratitude I can say that all I enjoy is the result of your voluntary friendship, very unmerited on my part, excepting that I shall always retain a proper sense of the obligation.
What affects me most is reflexion upon futurity when I consider to what trifling purpose I am wasting the precious hours of Existence with little happiness, little enjoyment and that all I can expect in some years is £40 or £50 half pay.
Every situation in life has its cares, its troubles, but the very nature of a Man-of-War is misery be a man so ill advantagd to it as I am. Yet thank God I have a natural cheerfulness which supports me.
What I wish for, is, to settle myself among mankind as a member of society, an Inhabitant of the Earth. My ambition,as to money, is easily satisfied, and had but half my Income on shore I should be richer, I should be happy, I should have no idle, no melancholy – –
If I had – –
Minister, I would go and select for some small place under Government.
Pardon me for having thus intruded upon your patience with a freedom which may be unbecoming and which I hope will not offend.
I am, Worthy Sir, with respect and regard, your most humble and obliged servant.
James Rymer.
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Envelope –
To Commissioner Marsh, Navy Office. London
April (and May) 1779
Mr Rymer
Worthy Sir,
Being superseded from this ship by the Board, and the state of my health pointing out to me the necessity of declining at present to go to sea, I be leave to say that I have no – -of subsistence in the Service but by resting my future fate on your Friendship.
I have this consolation, Sir, no one can charge me with Vice, with profligacy, with disrespect or negligence although I am thus forced to quit my Ship; yet the World may think otherwise.
I hurts myself. Censure and Scandal are ever bus. It may appear a Plot upon my Name and injure my Character. I am sorry to trouble you; but, Sir, if you could procure my any little place in my own line at Home, I should be happy and grateful – any Place requiring a Person who speaks and writes the French language. I have a poor Mother to maintain – which distresses me beyond all description that I can no longer be of any Service to her.
I am, Worthy Sir, your ever grateful and most humble servant.
James Rymer
Conquestador
24th August 1779
(James Rymer 1750 – 1822 – Naval Surgeon – Fell out with the commanding officer. Wrote a scurrilous pamphlet under the tile “Tranplantation, or Poor Crocus pluckt up by the Root”, 1779) but carried on in the Navy.)
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Milbourne Marsh
He died on 17 May 1779 (or 14 October 1779 – May seems more likely)
Katherine Marsh, his widow, moved to the house at St.Margarets Bank and a full inventory of the house was done at this time. This may have been to do with Milbourne’s will as, while providing for her, he intended his estate to go to his sons and his granddaughter eventually
Memorandum (from George Marsh). When my Brother died viz 17 May 1779 he had £2000 in the o&C consuls £900 of which he gave Major Marsh, £700 K Marsh to receive the Interest of the £700 only for her life and the remaining £400 was sold agreeable to his Will to pay his Victualling Office and all other his debts. He left his house and goods as / and the inventory herewith to his widow Kath Marsh for her life, then to be sold and divided between his sons the Major, John Marsh and his Niece Maria Crisp. The Residue of his effects he left to his said widow.
19 June 1779. Mr Mathers account of my Brother’s account with the Victualling Board and that he left the Balance in Mrs K Marsh’s hands to pay to the Victualling Board. All settled.
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On His Majesty’s Service
George Marsh Esq.
Commissioner of His Majesty’s Navy
Navy Office
London
Letter Mrs E. Crisp account for baggage. Received 2 June 1779 to her Uncle George Marsh (1722-1800).
George Marsh,
Navy Office
London
My Dear Uncle,
I beg to mention a circumstance which is – that you will please to give a line to Mr E.Husher, His Captain or Mr Cuthbert by their ships, respecting our going in the store ships. They may have thoughts of sending to Bengal a vessel for stock stores etc about the time we may arrive, or a little sooner, when they might postpone it, on account of giving us a passage to Bengal, provided they are acquainted with our coming.
The common Country ships are very rotten and dangerous, many accidents frequently happen, and all the India Men will have left Madras. But this is only my thoughts. You will be the best judge if such letters are necessary. Many thanks for those letters already received. Betty’s love and duty to Aunt and yourself. Please to accept mine also, and believe
My Dear Sir
Your most affectionate
And Obliged Niece
E Crisp
Ps And had the pleasure of a visit from Mr Swan yesterday.
2 June.
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Letter John Matthews presumably to George Marsh (1722-1800)
Rochester Vict Office 19 June 1779
Sir,
This day were honored with yours, And am to inform you a letter from the Board to Mr Slade acquainting him an Impost Bill was made out in his name, in consequence this day I received directions from the Agent to pay the Office on Monday next and draw on him for the same, being £395.2.4. According will pay Mr Marsh £52 deducting 1 / 6 in the pound.
The Account of money received by the late Agent from 1st April last
To Balance from last Quarter £104.4.0/a
Ap-to an Impost Bill for Meal £120.0.0
£244.4.0 /a
Money paid before the Death of the late Agent —
5 April Mr Wilson for land, house, window, timber £7.9.1/2
Db Richard Bristow for ½ years quite rent £2.10.0
Db George Day for hire of his Vessels and Board and Order £12.0.0
8th James Green for Meal £120.0.0
6th- May George Day for hire of his Vessels £12.0.0
7th Thomas Tomlyn one years rent for G Marsh £5.0.0
£159.10.9 -/2
Remains in hand of Mr Marsh £65.5.2 ¾
Postage of Letters not yet settled.
I shall pay due regard to your very obliging advice and send the Account to the Board when made out, advising you of the same.
I have paid due respect to Mr Slade with everything transacted.
This afternoon I loaded Mr Buller with empty cask for London, on her return to bring back the Agents furniture, as well put on board your chest, marble slab and frame. Dining and card table with the draft of Mahone who will sail tomorrow morning.
I am with the greatest respect,
Honble Sir
Your most Obt most humble servant
John Matthews.
John Marsh (Son of Milbourne Marsh, and Grandfather of J.A.M.M.)
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Copy of General Elliot’ letter to Lord Viscount Weymouth dated Gibraltar 6th September 1779
My Lord,
Consul Marsh (John Marsh 1747-1823) having left Malaga on this occasion and proposing to go from Lisbon to London desires me to give him an introductory letter to your Lordship as the person I have so frequently mentioned in my letters, and to whom (on behalf of the public) I have been so much indebted for the most authentic and essential information wherever his Majesty’s Service was concerned; I will therefore presume to recommend him to your Lordships protection as a gentleman who not only has, but may be extremely serviceable where business requires exertion and abilities.
I am my Lord etc
G.A.Elliot
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Letter –
to – George Marsh Esq., Navy Office, London
from – Captain Gilchrist, his Daughter’s marriage to Lord Cochrane, father of the famous Lord Dundonald.
Dear George
I wrote you the week before last and intended to have mentioned an event that was likely to happen but Mrs Gilchrist heart failed her, however, well knowing you sincere friendship for us and ours and as the day is now fix’t to fullfil as Brother Willie tells me Mrs Marsh’s prophecie she is set down with tears in her eyes to tell you we are in one sense to lose one of our dear Girls in a few days and I really don’t know what I shall do without her as she is truly a fine sweet Girl, yet can have no objection as I hope its for her good to be joined for life to so good and worthie a young man as Lord Cochrane is who I look upon as are none such in this deprived age being certainly possest of ever amiable quality and I flatter myself she is possest of every disposition capable of making a man happy.
Its my youngest daughter Annie, who by way of addition to her goodness every body reakons handsome. His Lordships good work is turning out to good acount. They are to be married here Munday next week, Culross Abbey which is his house near 40 miles from this. She is not to leave us for some weeks, the parliament being disolved has given a great turn to the mad work that was going on here as I supose it has done with you.
Mrs Gilchrist and the Girls goes to Edinburgh tomorrow to get some things for Annie is very (Basic?) with one thing and other and begs you’ll forgive her for this odd scrall and that you will believe both her and me, Mrs Marshs &
My Dear Commissioner, your most faithfully
Gilchrist.
Annsfield, set. 10th. 1779
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Letter
George Marsh Esq.,
Navy Office.
File 9951
letter contents
Sir,
I am desired by my Father to inform you, that you may erect a Monument to your Daughter’s Memory in Gillingham Church. My Father would have wrote himself but is not well.
Sir, I am, your most obedient humble servant.
L Jenkinson.
411 opposite Adelphi Buildings, Strand,
10th October 1779
My Father and Mother desire their respectful to you and Mrs Marsh
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Letter Mrs E. Crisp (Elizabeth Marsh) to her uncle George Marsh (1722-1800)
5 Nov 1779 upon her leaving London to proceed for Portsmouth. (Seems out of sequence as she seemed to be leaving in early April)
My Dear Sir,
The general opinion has been that we must set off for Portsmouth this morning. I have so much to say to you, that have not words to express myself as I –, indeed you will be so kind to – any defects in one at the present my mind being greatly agitated.
I parted last night from two dearly beloved brothers and your two dear sons. I dread the chaise coming to the door, poor Betty, but we are too much distressed not to see you, and Parent, Uncle, friend; and prayers shall ever be offered up to the best of beings for your preservation and happiness.
Please to embrace our Aunt Marsh for us and assure her with our kindest love that her affectionate attention to us will always be most tenderly and gratefully remembered. Should money which I am acquainted with, arrive before I reach India, you will please to make, dear Mr Morrison’s little ones some present that you may think proper, our obligations to him can never be repaid.
As also to settle with Frank Marsh, should I find (please God I get safe) that remittance should not have been made, through any accident whatever, depend it shall be immediately done. Till such time I am quite certain Frank Marsh will not hear of payment. His friendship to us has been most particular.
The Mentan Maker could not tell me when she fitted Betty, gown last night what her bill will be, but thinks about four pounds, the stay maker is to bring one pt of stays for her and a stomacher for me, which is all I owe. The streamer? I paid last night. These articles you will please to pay. Tea and some sugar I must get at Portsmouth.
The Carriage of my things from here will be very heavy indeed but we cannot help it. I hope I shall be able to receive the letters you kindly said you would write. My cousin Billy is to forward you of one to Mr Swan. I shall write you as soon as I get down. Farewell my dear Uncle. May every good angel (spelt Angle) guard you – your affectionate and ever obliged Niece
E Crisp.
Betty’s love and duty. I shall pay the Black girl’s board.
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Qualification for a Pensioner in the Charter House
Qualifications of a Pensioner of the Charter House. He must be fifty Years of Age, a protestant, a Bachelor or Widower and well attached to the present Constitution, and must not enjoy an income of upwards £24 per Annum.
If he has been hurt in the Wars, he may come into the House at 40 years of age.
When admitted, he has his Chamber furnished, his Diet and £14 per annum paid Quarterly.
If found in Physic, Surgery, and attendant on, when sick, and if he dies, is buried by the House.
Is allowed the Liberty of going into the Country every year for two months to see his friends.
The Duty required is to visit Chapel at Morning and afternoon service and to attend the Manciple of Market in their turns about two weeks in the year.
At his admission must bring two pair of Sheets, or the House will find them, to be repaid out of the 1st Two Quarters.