Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1785

James Caldwell of Nantwich – aged 57

Hannah Caldwell (ne Armstrong)

James Caldwell of Linley Wood – aged 25/26. (21 January 1759 at Nantwich)

Elizabeth Caldwell of Linley Wood – aged 30/31 (born 25 November 1754)

Hannah E. Caldwell – (later. Roscoe) born 11 Sept 1785 at Newcastle-u-Lyme

Letter to James Caldwell from Peter Crompton.

Mr Caldwell

Newcastle

Staffordshire

En Angleterre

Leydon, January 16 1785

Dear Sir,

I received your very affectionate letter a few days since, by which I am sorry to find how much trouble I have occasioned you by not giving the proper information in mine with regard to the Posts to Holland. Accept my warmest thanks for it, and be assured that its long arrival was imputed to the true cause alone, well knowing that no slight whatsoever could proceed from a person whom I have the honor and happiness to rank amongst the number of my real friends.

Concerning the proceedings of the Emperor and the Dutch, I am as much and perhaps more in the dark than yourself, the freedom of the Press being restrained, necessarily involves the Public and the Politicians in uncertainties, some are of opinion that Peace will soon be re-established, other incline to War, and a third part (though seemingly entirely without foundation) suppose should the French take a decided part with Holland, the English would afford assistance to the Emperor; this, whether I regard the matter in a general or partial view will not I hope be the case; in the late War the Dutch carried their resentment so high that it was very disagreeable for any English who might be in the place, so much so indeed, that many who had been almost naturalized to the Country found themselves necessitated to quit it and returned again when Peace had been declared.

Be it as it may however I trust I shall not be much incommoded as my stay now will be but that, since I intend to set out for Paris in about a months time. My route lies through the field of action, this alarmed me at first, but I have been lately assured that my passage can not be impede, provided I obtain a Passport from the College.

I shall regret leaving Leyden for several particulars, we have here an agreeable, though small society, a town excellently calculated for study, free from all disturbances and most amusements; the advantages I shall meet with in France will I hope more than counter balance the difficulties of getting there, they have many public hospitals which [are?] altogether necessary to m- [hole in letter] and I am told there is a fine – to books of every kind; the library here is [hole in letter] composed of a collection of the best books both ancient and modern in every science, it is regulated in such a manner as to be of the least possible utility, it is free to every one four hours in the week, but it is contrary to the regulations that any book should be taken out of the room by any except the Professors; they have many exclusive privileges such as a freedom from all taxes which is of great importance in a country like this where they are laid upon the necessaries instead of the superfluities of life; they receive also from the state 2000 florins a year each, besides having the different articles found them which may be wanted in the course of their lectures.

My paper tells me I must bid you adieu, and believe me yours sincerely Peter Crompton.

Remember me affectionately to Mrs Caldwell. Mr D desires me to insert his [camper?]

Wedgwood Archives

34-5920

13 June 1785

Letter from James Caldwell to Josiah Wedgwood regarding a meeting of the “Potters”.

James Caldwell Correspondence

9 August 1785

Francis Townsend Esq.

Heralds Office With Family Arms.

Dear Sir,

I should not so long have delay’d answering your polite favor of the 1^st inst but that your Seal puzzles me exceedingly.

I compared it with all the Arms of Caldwell, English as well as Scotch; it had not the least resemblance to either; and it was not till yesterday I discover’d that the Arms belong to a family of the name of Jones, originally of Denbighshire, but which about the Reign of Henry 8^th settled in Salop, where there were two Branches remaining when Sir William J Alderman of Shrewsbury, came to London about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth: or the beginning of James, and his Marriage and Issue are recorded in the Visitation of London 1634.

I mention these circumstances concerning the Family, as they may possibly lead to a discovery how the Seal came into the Possession of your Relation.

Annex’d is all I can find, in this Office, relative to Caldwell as a Scotch Family. Tis taken from a Book published in 1722 buy one Nisbet, an Author of much better credit than Edmondson, or perhaps than any English writer on Heraldry.

If you think a further search in the proper Offices at Edinburgh necessary, you will do me the favor to state the Christian names of your Ancestor who first settled in England, with the Christian Name and Residence of his Father; and as many other particulars as you can collect.

From these data I imagine the proper Arms may be ascertain’d; and from my correspondence with the principal officer I persuade myself I can insure attention to our request, which I shall have a pleasure in transmitting.

The Caldwells and Caldwells in England, such of them I mean as are entitled to Arms [for we have some Pedigrees of Caldwell enter’d without those Insignia] derive their descent from John Caldwell of Caldwell in Denbyshire, who held lands also in Worcestershire about the beginning of the 13^th Century.

But of these I presume it is unnecessary to be very particular, since you speak with such certainty of your family coming originally from Scotland.

As soon as I can get a little leisure, I mean to devote a part of it to a further search concerning the Manor of Mere; for tho’ the Question is happily and I believe justly decided, yet I confess my curiosity is not entirely satisfied; and I do not despair of being able on some future day, to explain how the Manor came to be mentioned among the Possessions of the Priory.

I have met with a Patent in the 7th of Henry V granting the Earldom of Perche in Normandy to Thomas Montague, Earl of Salisbury and the Heirs male of his body. He was slain in France in the 7^th of Henry VI as described by Shakespeare, and leaving no male issue the Earldom would of course revert to the Crown.

I conclude therefore that it was afterwards given to our Earl of Stafford, tho’ I cannot find the Grant, for it clearly appears that it could not come to him either by Inheritance or Marriage.

I am not quite so unlikely to profit by your offer of your services as you seem to imagine. We have frequent occasion to consult Parish Churches and their Registers; and I assure you Sir, that I shall not hesitate to take advantage of your politeness in any case of that sort within your neighbourhood.

I beg my respectful compliments to Mr Sparrow, and am dear Sir,

Your faithful humbled servant.

Francis Townsend

Herald’s Office, 9^th August 1785

Coat of arms drawing.

Caldwell of that ilk [ie of Caldwell] in the Shire of Renfew Argent 3 Piles issuing from the Chief Sable and in base 4 bars wavy gules and vert.

This family continued for many hundreds years in good Reputation by intermarriages with many honorable Families; and ended of late in the Person of John Caldwell, One of the Commissioners for the Shire of Renfew about the year 1693. The Lands are now possessed by John, Earl of Dondonald.

Coat of arms drawing.

John Caldwell of Glasgow as in our new Register, parted per Pale, Azure & Sable a Hart’s head couped Or and in Chief three wells or Fountains proper.

Whitehall, 16^th May 1817  (?)

11 September 1785

Birth of Hannah Elizabeth Roscoe (nee Caldwell). Daughter of James Caldwell and Elizabeth Caldwell (nee Stamford)

Wedgwood Archives

Wedgw30-22563

1785-1788

A statement of Bank Account for J Wedgwood from Sparrow & Caldwell £6,252:13:5