20th January 1800
My dear sister Mary Duval died at my house at Blackheath in the 88th year of her age. Note she came down with me from London on a visit the 23 inst and was as well as any person could be and looked as well as any one of her age could do.
Blackheath 1st February 1800
Note the Quarton loaf is at this time . . . [16 1/2?] and everything else very dear.
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Letter
Sunday, 16 February 1800
From – George Marsh, Blackheath,
To – William Marsh
My dearest William, being sensible to my declining health, it is my earnest wish that as I have paid Mrs Paterson for some time past at the Rate of £60 per annum by Quarterly payments of £15 that although by my Will (indeed the only one) made in September 1799 I have left her for her Life only £50 per annum, that you will give her £10 more per year so as to make it £60 per annum from the day of my decease and continue it to her and her daughter for their lives in the manner mentioned in the said Willduring her and their lives.
For though your late brother was imprudent and very unhappy in his conduct, which occasioned much uneasiness to me, yet I never shall forget his good qualities and that he was my affectionate son on which account I wish to do what seems to me to be proper for his offspring.
George Marsh
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Diary book – other side of page from above accounts
Memorandums, Observations and Appointments in February 1800
Monday 10 Feb – at the Board
Tuesday 11 Feb – ditto
Wednesday 12 Feb – Ditto. At Salters Hall, Mr Bawsely &co ill. Paterson and Algilyey(?) drank tea with us.
Thursday 13 Feb – ditto
Friday 14 Feb – ditto
Saturday 15 Feb – ditto – got Hobbws and sons and Anderson over door (?)
Sunday 16 Feb – At home all day
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1800 – 5 Sept – Miss Sarah Marsh
Account DATE ?
February, Second Month – XXVVIII Day (Week 6)
Account of Monies – Received – Paid or Lend
My Son, Jn Marsh, Mr Morrison, Cols Smith, Doctor Robertson, Rev Mr Towne & Mr Bingly, attend the burial
Rec’d
on 6000 3#6 consols – £90.0.0
3200 ditto standing in name of Wm (Ormes?) £40.0.0
1150 Mr Marsh – £17.5.0
700 m mine & Mrs name as trustees for her – £10.0.0
2000 £5 # bh Navy my own – £50.0.0
1100 £3 # 6h consols (clu) Penfold – £16.0.0
put in my drawer – £232.5.0
Received yesterday from Nicoll part of the £ ch & tax the Collectors received of him
see the particulars among my B accounts
The sum received back was £5.1.5 ¼
Paid Marks for Burying my Sister – £52.6.0
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File 9860
Document envelop
Marsh Papers – To be kept in Marsh Box
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File 9861
Document with many notes on it. 13 notes
Probate of the Will of George Marsh Esq. deceased.
Dated 15 Nov 1800
note – Cons Long Ann Register 5844
note – Bank At 7099 Red – 1388.. Ks 14383
note – £4 paid Anne Reg.
note – £3 per Cent Reduced Reg 15647 Lg Gt Acct. NB
note – £3 per Cent Reduced annuity Reg. 15278 ly BB
note – Cons 3 per Cent Ann Reg GO11777, of M
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File 9875
Legal Document – 1800
John, by Divine Providence Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England and Metropolitan, do by these presents make known to all Men, that on the Fifteenth day of November in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred, at London before the Worshipful Maurince Swabey, Doctor of Laws, Surrogate of the Right Honorable Sir William Wynne, Knight, Doctor ofLaws, Keeper, or Commissary of our Prerogative Court of Canterbury, lawfully constituted the last Will and Testament of George Marsh,one of the Principal Officers and Commissioners of His Majesty’s Navy, late of Blackheath in the County of Kent, Esquire deceased –
hereunto annexted, was proved, approved and registered; the said Deceased having whilst living, and at the time of his death,
Good, Chattels or Credits, in Divers Dioceses or Jurisdictions, by reason whereof the proving and registering the said Will, and the granting Administration of alland singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits, and also the auditing, allowing and final discharging the Account thereof, are well known to appertain only and wholly to us, and not to any inferior Judge; and that Administration of all and -ill was granted to William Marsh Esquire the Son of the said deceased and sole Executor
named in the said Will he having been already sworn – well and faithfully to administer the same, and to make a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the said Goods, Chattels, and Credits and to exhibit the same into the Registry of our said Court, on or before the last day of May next ensuing, and also to render a just and true account thereof
Given at the time and places above written and in the eighteenth year of our Translation,
George Gostling Deputy Registrars
Nath Gostling
R.L.Cusswell
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File 9775
Lord Nelson’s Letters – Not to be Generally opened. (old, ripped envelop)
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File 9776
Lord Nelson’s letters on business to our Grandfather at the Messrs Marsh and Creed – who were partners in the Navy Agency attached to the Great (Benterythem?) in Berners Street, 2 Marsh, Strachey, Graham and Fauntleroy.
– – -to / both Creed and Fauntleroy were sons of – — (faithful?) clients and were raised by my Grandfather – – -partners in the several concerns of the two respective businesses, both were men of comparatively low origin – Fauntleroy ruined both houses by his dishonest dealings. My grandfather behaved nobley in fall of his fortunes though the public never knew how nobley. –
envelope?
2nd Nelson’s letters to our grandfather.
Private
William Marsh – who was his Navy Agent as well as old friend
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File 0408
Letter
23 & 24 October 1800
From – Sir Andrew Hammond to my father, this letter and in consequence of Lord Spencer.
23rd October 1800
Sir Andrew Hammond’s letter to my Father, stating that he had seen Lord Spencer on the subject of his Retiring from the Navy Board with a Baronetcy who was not averse to the same and recommending his writing his Lordship as the means of bringing it to a speedy issue &c. Also copy of the Letter written in consequence by my Father to Lord Spencer &c.
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File 0381
To – George Marsh Esq., Commissioner Marsh, Blackheath
From – A.S. Hammond – Red wax seal
(Sir Andrew Snape Hammond, 738 – 1828. Comptroller of the Navy)
Private
Navy Board, 23 October 1800
My Dear Sir,
I have again had a conversation with Lord Spencer on the subject of your being created a Baronet and retiring from the Navy Board.
As he did not appear averse to the proposal I recommend you to write to his Lordship, and signify to him your wishes to retire accordingly, which will be the means of bringing the matter to an immediate issue.
I am with very sincere esteem and regard,
My Dear Sir, your faithful, humble servant.
A.S. Hammond
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File 0384
Letter draft –
24 October 1800.
To the Right Honorable Earl Spencer &c &c &c.
Copy of a letter for Lord Spencer from George Marsh Esq., in consequence of Sir Andrew Hammond’s letter to him of the 23rd herewith.
From – George Marsh, Blackheath, Friday afternoon, 24th October 1800
My Lord,
I have this day received a letter from Sir Andrew Hammond from which I understand that my wishes respecting a Baronetcy and Retiring from the Navy Board might from my repeating them to your Lordship be brought to a speedy issue.
I have now neither Health or Spirits enough left my Lord to enter into any retrospect upon this subject – nor do I wish it, but only briefly to say that if this point could be immediately accomplished it is the only object I have left to wish for in this World, after a long life spent in the Service of my King and Country, and I will add (because my feelings cannot now deceive me) with an honest zeal and integrity that with my latest breath I shall wish may never be wanting in the Public Departments of any Country –
I am, My Lord, Your Lordship’s most obedient and humble servant,
(signed) George Marsh
P.S. After several week severe illness, my state of nerves will not permit (crossed out – especially upon this subject) of writing myself or I am afraid even signing my Name very Legibly, which I trust will be excused by your Lordship as I have requested the favor of Sir Andrew Hammond to deliver this letter to you.
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File 0396
Letter
My Dear William,
Dr.Robertson gave me our letter, and I learnt from him the State in which he left your dear father.
I have not been able to see Pollock, but Sir Andrew has just informed me that he has not seen Lord Spencer since Saturday morning, and therefore does not know whether he has had any answer from Mr.Pitt who is on a visit to the Speaker’s. He, Sir Andrew, will let me know if he hears any thing tomorrow on the subject. My idea is that it is allnow too late!
We got home very safe. Remember me affectionately to your good woman and believe me, Ever Yours,
J.Marsh
P.S. I send this by (our?) Deptford Messenger.
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27th October 1800.
Death of George Marsh, Commissioner of the Navy
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Saturday 22 November 1800
Ipswich Journal
In consequence ofthe death of George Marsh Esq., one of the Commissioners of the navy, the following arrangements will take place: Commissioners Heartwell, from Chatham to the Navy Board; Hon. Duncan, from Halifax to Chatham; J.Nicholson Inglefield, from Gibraltar to Halifax; and Capatin Coats, who is agent for prisoners of war now in France, is promoted to a Commissioner and appointed to Gibraltar.
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File 0285
Letter
7 December 1800
To William Marsh
From Sir George Shee
My dear Marsh,
I write to you with an anxious hope that your spirits are, by this time, re-established, for although few sons have ever had such a Parent to lament a you have lost, still you should recollect that it is the province of a strong mind like your’s , to reconcile itself in all cases to what is inevitable. Be assured both Betsy and I have sincerely sympathised in your sufferings.
I have had thoughts, for some time past, of mentioning a matter to you which I trust you will not think me officious in touching upon. Your Father’s Claims on Government were very considerable; indeed, if allowed by the Minister to hear any (Proportion?) to the Services connected with them, he can not deny that you inherit a right to any Favour within the bounds of moderation you can ask.
Now my dear Marsh, it unfortunately happens that Claims, if not preferred when recent, are seldom acknowledged at all. I do not know how you may feel disposed in respect to Honours, but I am convinced, although deserving of no great estimation if measured by a Philosophical Standard, they are of infinite Service in the general Bustle of human affairs, your loss may, at least, be of this Opinion; – and even on this ground I would not suffer the present opportunity to pass.
An Irish Peerage is now probably out of the question, but an English Baronetcy would, I should think, to a certainty be within your reach, and you can not err in the mode of soliciting it.
I mention this Matter entirely on a supposition however, that you are not engaged in any other political pursuit.
I do not recollect that your Father stood for any other of our Children than George and John, and whenever you may wish to pay the Legacies you mentioned in your letter, to Betsy, Messrs LeFevre, Curries and Company will receive the amount for my Boys.
Betsy joins me in kindest Regards to Mrs Marsh and I ever am, My dear Marsh, most faithfully yours,
George Shee.
Dublin,
7 December 1800.
Shee Residence Lockleys House.
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Undated
Thoughts on the present scarcity of wheat and bread.
One mode of relief suggested has been that, the highest and middling rank of men limiting to a very moderate proportion the quantity of bread expended in their respective families. This is certainly in every point of view, a very benevolent expedient. The less bread consumed by the rich, the more of course there will be left for the poor, and the less temptation there will be for hoarding up wheat, or indeed want for this particular article, and the greater probability there is that the price will fall.
Besides this, when the lower orders see their wealthy brethren voluntarily deny themselves some of the comforts of life, for their sakes, they will readily and patiently submit to the privation they must necessarily endure. It is to be hoped therefore that this salutary regulation, this wise and humane act of abstemiousness, will universally prevail among those whom providence had blessed with affluence or with competence. But do not let us stop here. Let us avoid all superfluities and luxuries and needless delicacies of the table, as much as possible, not for the purpose of parsimony or avarice, but for the direct applying the savings arising from this reform to the relief of our poor neighbours, and thereby render our frugality the source of their plenty.
How reasonable creatures can enjoy the living constantly luxuriously at a very great unnecessary expense at most xx of their lives, but more particularly at this, when thousands of our fellow creatures are starving for want is not to be accounted for, but from fashion and folly, to show their riches and power. General health and peace of mind, they cannot possess, and yet wonderful to reflect upon, it is evident that the highest and generally speaking the most sensible of the people, down to the lowest classes and clubs of men, do not act upon any, or indeed the most important business, without what is called great dinners as if their chief enjoyment consisted in eating and drinking to excess. O Man! Do you never reflect on this? Would it not be conducive to your health and happiness in this world to refine your desires by your reason, that you might be blessed with health and always with a cheerful mind, in giving up all superfluities for the benefit of the industrious distressed poor.
Nothing is truly pursuable to such an animal as man except what is correspondent or at least, not contrary to justice, prudence, temperance and fortitude, which are esteemed for their importance, the very hinges of all morality.
What if the stateliest buildings were thy own,
What, if the choicest fruits they table crown?
If thou hast heaps on heaps of gold in store,
And each succeeding year still adding more?
What if thou had it the fairest, kindest wife
To be the sweet companion of thy life?
If thou are blessed with sons, a large estate
And all around magnificent and great
What if thou’st comely valiant rich and strong
And teachest others in each act, each tongue,
If thou hast numerous servants at command
All things in store and ready to thy hand,
If thou wert king commander of a nation,
Full thousand happy years without vexation,
If fortune raised thee to the highest station
Of grandeur, wealth and dignity. What then?
Soon very soon, all ends and comes to nought.
Obey the Almighty’s will, from hence arise
All happiness within, in this all glory lies.
George Marsh.
The consciousness of meaning well, afford a sincere and heart-felt consolation, at that awful period of his existence who is blessed therewith, when all worldly prospects are shrouded in the gloom of approaching dissolution, when the reflection, on one humane or meer well natured, deed, will be of more worth than all the riches, honours or applause, which the avarice, the ambitious, or the pride of humane nature so anxiously yet so vainly pursue.
The cheerful mind
Nor wealth, nor power experience shows can heal the minds tumultuous woes, nor lull those clam’rous cares to rest, which frequent haunt the great man’s breast.
In vain the unsettled rover flies, in hopes of finding happier skies, in vain he changes climes and air, but still unhappy self is there.
The cheerful mind, above pomp or power, wisely enjoys the present hour, and stranger to the great man’s fears, defies tomorrow and it’s cares.
Thoughts on Doctor Dodds unhappy Fate.
Every day’s experience ought more and more to convince the world that happiness in humane life, depends more on small virtues, than on splendid qualities, and that without several negative qualities, splendid qualities are of little use in the common transactions of the day. Let mankind then who would wish their children happy, rather than great, give them ideas and habits which will befriend them, in the common transactions of the day. Of these none are more valuable than economy.