Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1860

Anne Marsh-Caldwell (ne Caldwell) - at Deacons & Linley Wood - age 68/69

Commander Leopold G. Heath C.B. -  aged 42/43

Mary Emma Heath (ne Marsh) - age 33/34

Arthur Raymond Heath - age 5/6

Marianne Emma Heath - age 3/4

Frederick Crofton Heath(-Caldwell) - heir to Linley Wood Hall - age 1/2

Cuthbert Eden Heath - age 0/1

Ada Randolph Heath - age 0

Diary of Lady Mary Heath, only January.

Correspondence of Anne Marsh-Caldwell and co

1860

Monday 2^nd January 1860

Leo and I went till Tuesday to Sir John Cochrane’s. [Sir Thomas John Cochrane 1789-1872]

Wednesday 4^th January 1860

Leo shooting with Mr Drummond. I out with Puss and Arty.

Morning Post.

Friday 13 January 1860

Court of Probate and Divorce. Jan. 12. (Before Sir C.Cresswell.)
Marsh and others v Marsh and others.

Dr. Deane Q.C., Mr Sergeant Pigott, Dr. Wambey, Mr Dewdeswell, Dr. Phillimore Q.C., Mr Coleridge, Mr Hobhouse, Dr. Spinks, Mr Oscar, and Mr Hansen appeared for the several parties.

This was a testamentary suit with respect to the validity of the last will, dated 19th May 1856,and two codicils of Mr James Stamford Caldwell, late of Linley Wood, in the parish of Audley,in Staffordshire,decased.

The case had not closed at the rising of the Court.

Morning Post.

Saturday 14 January 1860

Court of Probate, Jan 13.Before Sir C. Cresswell.Marsh and others v Marsh and others.

This was a testamentary suit with respect tothe last will, dated the 19th of May 1856, a codicil of the 18th June, 1856, and another codicil of the 29th of April 1858, of Mr James Stamford Caldwell, late of Linley Wood, in the parish of Audley, in Staffordshire, deceased.

The plaintiff, who propounded the instruments were Eliza Louisa Marsh, Georgina Amelia Marsh and Rosamond Jane Marsh, nieces of the deceased, and executrices under the papers in question. 

Mr Caldwell died on the 17th Nov. 1858, a bachelor, without father or mother, leaving several nephews and nieces, the children of two deceased sisters, and of one surviving sister, Mrs Marsh. 

The property consisted of £14,000 or £15,000 in personalty and realty, of the value of about £1,800 a year, situated in Cheshire, Staffordshire, and Derbyshire; besides some leasehold property in London. 

He appeared to have lived on friendly terms with all his relations, and one great object of his testementary intentions seemd to be to secure, as far as he could, the continuance of the property at Linley Wood in the family, or of parties who would take the name of Caldwell,and in order to carry out that intention he left a large number of wills which were found together in a bundle, along with several unexecuted instruments, the day after his death.

Dr. Deane Q.C., and Mr Dowdeswell appeared for the executrices; Mr Segeant Pigott and Dr Wambey for Mrs Marsh; Dr Spinks Mr Osler and Mr Hannen for Mrs Henry Thurston Holland; and Dr. Philimore Q.C., Mr Coleridge and Mr Hobhouse for Mr George Heath.

Mr Sergeant Pigott said that although the plea of his client, Mrs Marsh, asserted the invalidity of the will and codicils, her wish was not to oppose them, but on the contrary to support them as testamentary documents of her brother.

The plea in question had been put on record merely as a matter of form, to give Mrs Marsh a locus standi in court, she being a party cited. The only question was whether her counsel were not placed in a very anomalous position with reference to this plea. He submitted that the Court might allow the plea to be altered so far as to make Mrs Marsh affirm the validity of the instruments. Perhaps however, the matter might be allowed to stand over for the present.

Sir C. Cresswell thought that, under the circumstances, Mrs Marsh should have alleged on the record that she appeared in obedience to the citation, and affirmed the will was duly executed.

The defendants pleaded that the will of 16th May, 1856, and the two codicils appointing Mr Caldwell's nieces executrices, were valid and of no effect,not having been executed according to the provisions of the statute 1 Vic., cap. 26, but that the last sheet of the paper, dated the 19th of May, 1856, was duly executed and attested, and formed a separate testamentary instrument, which the deceased intended to take effect as a will or paper revocatory.

They propounded a will dated the 1st of March 1851, and two codicils dated respectively the 31st January 1852 and the 29th of April, 1858, and submitted that by the latter codicil the testator intended to revoke the two former instruments.

Mr Henry Thurston Holland deposed that he was a nephew of the deceased, who died a bachelor. His uncle had formerly practised as a barrister but had left the profession and retired to Linley Wood on the death of his father. 

Witness was a Linley Wood at the time of Mr Caldwell's death, and on the evening of the day he searched for and found a number of wills in a leather case, tied round with tape, in a cupboard of the dressing-room and the next morning he handed them to Mr Keary, a solicitor. 
The codicil of 1858 was tied at the corner to the will of 1851, and a will dated in 1854 was in the cupboard with the other papers. On cross-examination he said that the deceased was very intemperate in his habits. 

Mr Keary was also examined, and after some further testimony, The Court postponed its decision.

Wolverhampton Chronicle & Staffordshire Advertiser.

Wednesday 18 January 1860

Court of Probate - January 13 (Before Sir C. Cresswell).

Marsh and Others v Marsh and Others.

The Plaintiffs, Eliza Louisa Marsh, Georgina Amelia Marsh and Rosamond Jane Marsh, the nieces of James Stamford Caldwell, late of Linley Wood, in the parish of Audley,  in Staffordshire, propounded as executrices a will of the 19th May 1856 and Codicils of the 18th June 1856, and the 29th of April 1858.
Mrs Marsh, the mother of the plaintiffs, and a sister of the deceased, pleased in opposition to the will and codicils but in fact, supported them. 

Mr Henry Thurston Holland, the son of a deceased sister of the testator, and his heir-at-law, pleaded that the papers propounded by the plaintiffs did not contain the last will and codicils of the deceased; that they were not duly executed; that the last sheet of the will of May 1856 waas not annexed to the other sheets at the time of the execution; that the sheets of the codicils containing the signature of the testator and the attestation of the witnesses were not annexed to the other sheets at the time of their execution; and that the last sheet only of the will of May 1856 was duly execute, and was a separate testamentary instrument.

Mr Leopold George Heath, as the father and guardian of Frederick Heath, a minor, the son of Mrs Heath, the daughter of Mrs Marsh, propounded the codicil of the 29th of April 1858, wiht the exception of substituting the word "his" for "her" in one part of it. 

Mr Richard Henry Crofton, as the father and guardian of Duke Arthur Crofton, a minor, the son of Mrs Crofton, another daughter of Mrs Marsh, propounded a will of the 1st March 1851, and a codicil of the 31st of January 1852, and alleged that the codicil of April 1858, was not a codicil to the will of 1856, but to the will of March 1851, and was intended to revive that will. 

Issue was joined on these pleas.

Dr Dean Q.C., and Mr Dowdeswell appeared for the executrices; Mr Serjeant Pigott and Dr Wambey for Mrs Marsh; Dr Spinkes, Mr Osler and Mr Hannen for Mr Holland; Dr Phlllimore Q.C., Mr Coleridge and Mr Hobhouse for Mr Heath and Mr Crofton.

Mr Caldwell was the son of a gentleman of considerable fortune, and formerly practised as a barrister. On his father's death he retired from practice, and took up his residence at Linley Wood, where he remained unitl his death on the 17th November 1858.

He had three sisters - Eliza, married to Mr Roscoe, who died before him; Emily, married to Sir Henry Holland, who also died before him, and Mrs Marsh, who survived him. 

He was possessed of personalty of the value of between £14,000 and £15,000, and a real property, situate in Cheshire, Staffordshire, and Derbyshire, of the value of about £1,800 a year.

He was described as a man of intemperate habits. He did not  live upon intimate terms with his relations, and he executed a great number of wills, making different dispositions of his property to his various nephews and nieces. 

The parties to this suit were interested in the instruments which they severally propounded.

A few hours after the testator's death his nephew, Mr Holland, searched for the will, and found a large mass of unexecuted testamentary papers, and between twenty and thirty duly executed wills, most of them with codicils attached.

They were in a cupboard in the testator's dressing-room,and some of them in a leather case, tied round with tape. In that case he found the wll of 1851, the codicils of 1852 and 1858, and the will and codicil of 1856. The codicil of 1856 was tied white tape by the corner to the will of 1851. The will of 1854 was not in the case. 

- - - continues - - - His Lordship took time to consider his decision.

Diary of Lady Mary Heath continues...

Tuesday 17^th January 1860

Yesterday one child after another taken ill by croupy throat and coughs except Baby. Leo away at Sheerness on business.

File PB130025

Letter to Posy from Cotton, water stained.

Alport House

Whitchurch, Salop

22^nd January

My dear Posy,

I think I lost the pleasure of writing to you from your erratic habits at the time that cards were running about so I pick you out as my victim this time hoping that you will write and tell me all the news of Linley Wood and its natural inhabitants and tell me when I may direct my letters to that much loved habitation, though I am afraid I shall never be strong enough to encumber its precincts again.

But I may hope to see you all here in turn to gratify you old friend, may I not. I have my niece Fanny Hordern here still (she came on the 1^st June she tells me) and occupies one of the two guest chambers which I have. So I cannot ask two at a time.

Has your nephew got into his own house yet? My dear neighbour, Mrs Egerton, went to Llandudno yesterday in an invalid carriage and made her journey very successfully and we all hope to hear of rapid improvement from the sea air and not sea baths. Her [sa-?] five months of great suffering from Neuralgia, in one knee and I believe all that leg, has left that knee stiff and she still cannot bend it without great pain, but she seems pretty well in health, and wonderfully little altered in her looks. I had not seen her for above four months.

How hot you must find Exmouth now, if you are still there. Our flowers are blowing and our birds building nests and singing their April songs every morning thinking the Spring has actually begun.

Tell me pray how you all are and accept the love of your old friend

F.V.Cotton [F.N.Cotton?]

File PB30067

Letter from Louisa MC to Georgina. 1870s plus?

LW, August 4

For Georgy from L.

Dearest G,

I quite forgot to tell that I have paid Dr [Fleetley?] bill for you as well as my own. We sent them in both together and I thought you would like me to do so at once. Your bill, my poor G, came to 8.9.6, while mine was only 3.3.0. It is such a tiresome way for you money to go! And I feel so sorry.

Ever your most loving L [Louisa]

File PB130089

Part of letter from Louisa to Georgina. [after 1872]

Page 2

Continues

late storms have so damaged some of the proportions that it has to be put off another month and then the take will not be so propitious for the experiment. But has patience and gentleness over the disappointment! It puts one in mind of Pellises and it is now since 1872 that he has been working and working towards his experiment tried on a great scale and this is the first time he has succeeded and now comes this disappointment, poor man.

We went yesterday with Annie to Mr [Davies Haweis?] service in St.Jamess Hall. A curious mixture. Beautiful music, the regular Church of England morning service without any variation. An altar with flowers and cross and the whole looked just like two great wings on either side, all upon the [raised?] platform where the singers are common days. The Sermon preacher in a black gown and a [next page] [parly?] practical own on minds. Very [crele?] and very hard and one felt a great deal of the French pace are of heaven in it. It was all on practical subjects and ways of making money (investing money and speculating money) All very good and usefully put but I dont think there was anything new or striking or that one had had or could not have thought for oneself 100 times.

He descended to the waste wrongness of allowing children to wantonly hurt and spoil their books and toys and waxed wrathful in a manner that would have delighted you once the heinous wickedness of Pate de fois gras and the suffering [inflicted, contucted?] on the poor geese to produce them.

Tomorrow Mary Heath is coming here on her way to Germany[Steve] bringing her up. It seems a very wise step on all sides and so kind of Leo. Now goodbye my dearest Georgy. You will be quite tired of this yarn.
Your always loving

L [Louisa]

B031

Letter from Posy at Linley Wood [1870s?] Rosamond Marsh-Caldwell to her sister Georgina Marsh-Caldwell

L.W. Wed evening 14^th.

Dearest Georgey, your welcome letter came this morning; your account of all at Gillingham are so pleasant. All but your one grey spot, but that will clear some day dear.

Your account of dear Nele [Loring] delightful and I am so glad to hear of the result of (cayseulu?) the very object I had in view in getting him to read it, and so glad that he likes his Macmillan.

We cannot of course compete with Henry’s[Rev. Edward Henry Loring M.A. 1823-1879] early garden for you see our little (cucumber?) house, which is not really a C.House at all, has to act as store for the flower plants during the winter and as we have to keep the grape house as cool as we can we have no (forcing?) power until it is time to shut it up and until we can move our (stove, store?) plants into that and the green house.

Our strawberries are just beginning to show flower, our cucumbers and melons are just going to be sown. You know melons don’t ripen with us but under glass and that only just in the hottest part of summer.

I was looking at the winter spinach today. It is all scorched with frost and you could not pick even a small dish from it. We have a good show for fruit [in blossoms] but what will May do?

We have had Mr Wickham to luncheon. He came at 1.30 and gave him dressed eggs which little [unbigoted, enlightened?] attention I think he appreciated. Before lunch and for some time after we were talking of the Church. I enclose Mr M.H letter we have got now £1,200 and probably the [TMui?] Society will give £300 more so we shall have £1,500 but Mr W thinks we ought to have £2,000 promised before we begin.

Mr Hunt can make use of the stone which will be a saving also though brick walls will make the foundations. He wants me to build my cooking room in wood and rubble. As the Church I shall write and ask Mr Date [Bate?] if I can, not mentioning Mr W! Mr B says he can build it for £50 so I can manage that and he is going to make the plan 15’ by 14’ and a little scullery.

By the way his Mr B’s estimate is come in and all the Oak Farm repairs etc are to cost £50. By his account now he wants £59 or £69 more as due to him.

Well after lunch we broke in on the real object and we had a long tattle. He was very nice as always, did not deny mixing the water with the wine and could not see the harm. Perhaps he did a little doubt after our expressing our opinion. He denied that he had said that he had done nothing to make to people stay in Church.

Still the impression left on my mind was that he was conscious that all had not been quite above board. But at the same time I felt he had seen this afterwards and would not do such a thing again. The story about Angel Gabriel he said he only told as a story to the children to illustrate having ones will always fixed to the will of God.

I wish we had asked him to tell the story about confession he said it was, he felt, some good for some minds but would by no means enforce it on any. He still maintains that though of course not agreeing with him in everything Mr Wilkinson is the man who most truly represents his views, certainly not Mr Tooth concerning the Holy Sacrament.

He says he believes in a Presence in a special manner of our Lord there, but where and how he cannot define to himself. Therefore, not to others he fully entered into our conscientious difficulty in supporting teaching which we held to be most seriously dangerous and bad.

L (Lousia M-C) and I don’t think that he had before seen it and that in a way it was a relief to his mind as justifying our interference in the matter. He has promised to tell us if he gets ever in Rome[?] in his views. L and I feel that the man Wickham, like R, does not belong to the school, but he has had his religious impressions given him in it and his friends are of it. He said of Baring-Gould, that he was a man he should never follow. Much too eccentric and extravagant and had no proclivities to scapulurius.

That was clear on the whole. I felt very satisfied and I very fairly and hopeful again of his passing out of this school. He seemed to me true, did not refuse discussion and had no shiftyness, [file 034 right] about him. We settled that the best plan between us was to be quite true and above board. Of course we differed but on one point we were united that Christ, not a system, was what we believed in and what we desired people to be brought to and we parted very good friends relieved on both sides by explanations and he asked us not to believe stories we might hear of him until we had asked him ourselves. I do trust that good will come of this.

He still holds that he is bound to obey as curate, his vicar, of that there is not doubt, though he said that was how far a incumbent must obey his Bishop! Mr W.H name was never mentioned on either side in connection with the matter we had heard of him.

Mrs Buxton has been up tonight to hear Mr Git Rex letter about Buxton. She was very anxious to know what he thought of him so L wrote for her and asked. He says that he has had a sharp attack of Bronchitis. That though he looks entirely a strong man he is by no means one really and that he should have something before he goes out in the morning and a little wine will do him good, so she is to send for a bottle tomorrow.

Johnny’s hand is still bad, so I have ordered him a week more milk [medicine?]. Poor fellow, how he must have suffered with it. Mr [Got Rex?] says had he not been a teetotaler he must have lost his hand!

This afternoon we went and called on Mrs Kinnersley who we found very well and the other, Alice, I think, Miss [Baluston, Daruston?] with her. She seemed very pleased at our coming. Mrs Palmeston[?] was in town!

I enclose you Mrs [Letne Kurr’s?] note I had written by L’s suggestion to say how sorry we were not to have been able to return her call and to ask them on their down so now I have written. Will try on their way back. I don’t want either [note?] back.

L wrote to Mrs Denman to the same effect and got a very friendly answer and would like to offer themselves, but cannot come now things [?] in our parts on account of Easter holidays.

L (Lousia M-C) told you perhaps that G.S. had made a mistake of the time of little Martins [Morton?] holidays so he will come later. R will not come, I think, until after Whitsuntide. L has been with Buxton this morning at the plantation up Talk way and Mrs B was highly gratified by being told by L this evening that it is to be called henceforth “Buxtons Wood.”

L had a nice little note from C.B. [P?] saying he had intended fully to come up from Clough and see us but weather would not allow and hoping they shall prevail on us to come and see them at Parkridge. Also yesterday got a note from Mr W saying he had so bad a cold, afraid of coming out at night, but hoping to be more fortunate another time so we have asked Mr [Sheringham?].

Mr Wade very pleased at being asked but past the invite on to his son, [as he is too poorly to go out], which he was very pleased evidently to do.

The Wilbrahams find their own way up as they go to Creswelshawe [Cresswell’s house?] en route. Fanny and Harriet come and by what Mr OK said seem to be looking forward with pleasure. And I must tell you of [Fruske?]. She actually on Sunday came and asked me to give her medicine. She followed me into my room and watched me take some [Med acon Tine?]. I thought nothing but when I last shut the drawers and was going she stood pointing at it and made me feel, don’t you know, she wanted me to give her some med. I began to look through the boxes and she quietly waited. Not finding them in the small ones  I took out the large one and went to the sofa to look them over. She jumped there on, thrust her nose into the box and then quietly sat on her tail watching me until I found it. Sat as quietly until I gave it her. Then jumped off, wagged her tail and departed.

There. I declare this is a fact. However much Henry, Nele and co may scoff at it! It is so odd to see her and her [cat?]. Did L tell you she is devoted to the cat. They sleep together, wash each others faces and indeed are quite the happy family. She has deigned to give us somewhat more of her company today. This is [9] ringing[?] and I – to write to Rachel if I can. As I want all to m- moch for my pattern. I have done up all the [sweets?] and made all [puil?] right but one week, so I [might??] a/- more in my book that you made. My love to Henry [Loring], Charlotte, Nele and the children that  - - Posy

Fanny looks so pretty in her bonnet and Richus pleased! My bonnet so pretty. L and I go on as happy as possible. She is full well again.

B039

Receipt to make Arrowroot.

On other side.

To make a breakfast cup of Arrowroot take a good spoonful of Arrowroot mix it in a little cold milk till quite smooth measure yourself a cupful of new milk and boil it sweeten it to the taste; pour it boiling on the Arrowroot and stir it till it thickens.

A129

Journal – A Sketch of our Journey, Saarbrucken.

Quite a number of pages, densely written. Readible.

It was in the afternoon when the sun was beginning to cast long shadows that we neared Saarbrucken and I began to ask the guard of our train as he passed our window. They have a way abroad of running along the sides of the carriages and looking in upon you at all unexpected moments. “Are those the hills over which the French came?” “Ya, who,l” “Yes” I found he had been in the battle himself and he promised when we arrived, as he also stopped at Saarbrucken, to tell me ‘all about it.” We drew up into the Station, it is a junction, and there was the usual crowd and bustle of junctions; the station stand between two lines. When all our luggage had been claimed and put in a place of safety, as we had two hours to wait, we struggled with our bags and wraps into the Waart-Saal. {Waiting Room.]

It was a good sized carpetless room, large windows, with folding glass doors in their centre, ran down each side; It looked east and west. Over both platforms was a cover supported by pillars; at the south end of the room dark and gloomy a bar with its customary etceteras and a smartly dressed bar maid; the usual black coated white tyed waiters flitting about; ready to attend to your wants; a long table stretched down the middle of the room, adorned with pots of flowers in full bloom, giving it a festive appearance, the table was laid with a white cloth and detachments of the usual thick white ware, large coffee cups, and plates were set at intervals, ready for parties of travelers; between this table and the bar was a large round table which seemed dedicated to Beer and Tobacco, at least all who were now there were refreshing themselves in that sort. A set of officers and officials sitting candidly round it. Another round table to match was at the other end of the long table, small round and square tables went down each side of the room, at which travelers sat drinking wine and smoking, or consuming more solid food; the usual waiting room seat went round the walls.

After sitting down our heap of bags at the north end of the room we went to the central table and called for café au lait, etc; when we had refreshed we strolled out wishing both to get fresh air and have tobacco.

It was a still evening, a cloudless soft blue sky melting into daffodil yellows and golds; the people were either sitting or pacing leisurely about. I remember one group of very poor ragged children with a little sad faced cripple amongst them. Men in light blue cotton blouses and much worn corduroy trousers; women in capes, it was very still and soothing.

And this was Saarbrucken, where the first shot of that mighty war was fired, a war which is an epoch in the World’s history. We had come out by the Western door and found the railway on the edge of a deep valley, immediately before us were houses of which we principally saw only the roofs and the spires of two Churches; we knew a river, the Saar, was running deep down below and that it divided the town of Saarbrucken, the – (woman?) from Johannesburg, the what was, French, and that a bridge united them; we could as I said, see the spires of the two Churches and the outskirts of Saar Johannisburg which climbed the opposite hill, those famous hills which stretched up and away West with wide tracts of grass land and dark woods fringing their heights and breaking down in heavy masses on the hill sies; they are very steep and high, and one could only marvel how one German even could get through that plunging fire of mitrailleuse and musketry, much less fight up those heights, crown them, and hurl the invaders back.

On our part of the platform we found only one rather sad looking woman with her two or three children, she was sitting on a bench under one of the waiting room windows, at the south end of this platform were two railway officials in the dark blue and red stripe of the Prussian official uniform; all railways here belong to the State.

We strolled along and looking at one of the pillars found a huge conical shell lodge in it, we were pondering about this shell and wishing for some one to tell us something of it and of what had happened here not two years ago. My guard had proved faithless, or had not seen me again. When our officials strolled up, one was a fine, broad shouldered, well set up young man, of 29, as he afterwards told me, he had a good face, rich colouring and dark hair, there was something about him which inspired you with a friendly feeling. I went up and asked him in the best German I could muster, if he could tell us about “that shell,” he was quite ready to tell us anything we wanted; he had been in the battle himself. “Was he a soldier,” Not serving now, had been, but had served his time and was in the reserve; now a railway official. And so we began to talk, his bright jovial countenance lighting up, one felt he was one of those who helped the poor French housewife to cut her wood and light her fire and took the children on his knee and amused them.

He had been in the Army since he was 18, had fought through the Danish War, the war with Austria(66), had been in all the great opening battles of 70 and through the Orleans Campaign, had never once been wounded!

As I asked him about the shell, he told us of the battle. He shewed us from the south end of the platform, far forward on our left, some hills which looked down, that was the German position, seven miles and more the two ranges of hills stood apart, seven miles and more cannon hurled shot and shell against cannon, the station lay in mid fire, he and his fellows were ranged there to meet the on coming foe; “We were determined to drive them back, we were fighting for wfe and children and Fatherland.” The Prussians knew too well by cruel experience, had not their fathers and grand fathers told them, what a French invasion means; I shall not forget the expression of stern determination this bright genial face took when

Envelop

Miss R. Marsh-Caldwell

Linley Wood

Talk oth Hills

Staffordshire

England

Part of post mark on rear visible

-rent.

-y

4

PB1010010

Card pencil writing Aunt Emmies description of our Father and Mother.

File PB1010025

Letter to Georgina from Louisa at Linley Wood

LW.

Sunday 5^th

My dearest Gs

What joyful news your letter brings me this morning!! So! We may actually hope to see your beloved face in a fortnight! And to have you safe and sound amongst us ever more. How intensely joyful this will be, and dear Mrs Harper, how glad we shall be to have her at Linley Wood once more. And wont Harper be delighted! His face shone this morning when I told him how soon he might expect his beloved wife home again.

I know Posy told you all up to yesterday afternoon, after the Cottage had left us, and Nele also. P and I have both been to Talk church this morning. But there is nothing more to tell, absolutely. We saw the Woods and heard that they are going almost immediately to their House Boat as they call it, its the yacht anchored on the Southampton water. They were all so kind and helpful, on the School [teach?] day, impossible to be more so, and with no fuss about it.

Tuesday 21^st is the day fixed for our Garden party here which suits John. The A. Lorings will be here, and you also dearest of Gs, we hope. The idea of our giving a party of this sort seems to give marked satisfaction to all our friends. Adieu my child. Ever your loving L. Kindest remembrances to Mrs H.

Oh it is so bright to think of your coming so soon

File PB1010047 – late 1870s as Disreali no longer in the house. 1881 but Sir Henry H died 1873. The Hon. Henry Chaplin was in Parliament from 1868.

Letter to Georgina from Louisa in London. Brown paper.

Wilton Street

Monday

Dearest Georgy,

Thanks very many for your letter dear. You will have heard that the Croftons have put off coming till Wednesday which I am sorry for Mrs Johns was so pleasant with the duck which I told her you have sent from your farm. She is so nice. One feels quite at home and as if with Prentice.

We had the whole of the afternoon yesterday devoted between Henry Holland and Mn Bergeron. Both stayed ages and both were most pleasant, speaking [speeching?] each other with only a few moments intervals. Was it not provoking after Gladstones speech, which was a complete failure. The whole opposition seem disorganized and disjointed and at 7 oclock Henry walking with some of them to dinner, they were in the most miserable spirits and considered their party as done for. Then after Mr Chaplins intemperate speech and the consequent adjournment of the debate the very reverse process took place. The opposition all reunited again and the Government and their supporters equally cast down. And they dont know what the result will be now.

Henry says that had [DIgyey Disreali?] still been in the House Mr Chaplin would never have dared to speak as he did. His maths was good and satisfiable but the intemperance of his manner though alas justifiable! Spoiled all and reunited the whole opposition as I said, again! A lesson in life this for everybody I think.

Mn Bergeron was equally interesting about (Henry is so happy about Elizabeths[?] marriage, it is evidently an inexpressible relief to him to have her happily married out of the house) engineering matters. His plan for drawing the harbour from sandbanks was to have been tried about the 28^th of this month by the French Government at Boulogne harbour. But there... continues?..

File PB1010049

Letter to Georgina from

Linley Wood

August 7^th

My dearest G,

Posy left here about 11 yesterday and I could not get in your letter to you my darling G. Do what I would, there were a many letters that had to be written, interrupted by the Odd Fellows club coming up, whom I tried to entertain alone. But this time I made Hillson and Emily come in (while Thompson was dispensing in the kitchen) and help the officers to their food, while I entertained them with conversation, as well as I could. And they behaved rather much more nicely than the Shepherds did. And not in the free and easy manner I had to undergo from the latter when they were last here.

And I also entertained them alone without anybody with me, but poor [Hangort?] darting in and out, now and then, from the outside men. He was set quite free this time, and altogether it did much better. I think, if you and Posy [think?] well we will continue this method in future.

Then I rushed back to the reprieved letters, still hoping I should have time for my G. Then luncheon and I took minutes rest. And had only just finished my 8 letters when Mrs Twemlow and Miss Paynter drove up to the door and I had to give up my budget to Harper to stamp.

The two ladies were very nice and pleasant and I like their little visit very much. Mrs Twemlow seems less well now, I think, over time one sees her. She would like so much, when we are quite alone, to come to stay a Sunday here, and go to St.Saviours Church. She seems quite to have set her heart upon so doing, poor thing, so of course I asked her. And we must not forget to invite her.

Dont let Miss G try her eyes with reading this. [May be someone elses handwriting]

File PB101004

Letter from Posy at Linley Wood. Envelop to Posy at Eastborough, postmark 1843

Note a top in pencil This is what my Aunt Posy Marsh-Caldwell wrote some years ago. Please keep it.

[Must be much later as mentions Martins death]

[Letterhead]

Linley Wood

Talk oth Hill

Staffordshire

[crossed out] enjoys having a fight with her and I should not think that she saw the true.

About our Pedigree this Mr Marsh wrote first to Aunt L about it as he wanted to find the link between our family and his.

Miss Honeywood, Ls Honeywoods sister, old Kentish family, asked and G [Georgina MC] who was talking to her about Kent why she was so interested in Kent. Aunt G said because our family came from Kent and when she knew that she said the Marshs are a very old Kentish family. Marshs of Marton and are our Great Grandfathers (the Commissioners) great grandfather was Marsh of Marton. A squire. We have had arms always.

Our father told Aunt L [Louisa] that there was an inquisition of arms in Henry 5^ths time when they were confirmed to our family and to our branch a [mural crown?] was added because the [de?] of that time had taken a true[?] in the French wars. In James 1^st time there was another inquisition or arms when our were reconfirmed and when we took the name of Caldwell we had to go to the Heralds Office to have our pedigree and arms (Marsh) confirmed before we were allowed to take them and they were both confirmed at once. So you see, we were always gentry.

Our father knew all about our family, but after much Uncle Martins death he took no more interest in having the pedigree made out. Why should he! And Aunt L would have looked no further into it without this Mr Marsh [John A.M. Marsh?] had written to Aunt L about it. I tell you all this as it seems to interest you.

My dear love to my Mary and much love to you all.

Your loving

Aunt Posy.

File 1010175

Part of letter to Georgina from Posy. After 1858 as Posy writes Marsh-Caldwell]

Continues

.. her children do not like it. There is a talk of young [Garforth?] being engaged. G.J says in secret, I may tell you, to one of the Willoughbys. Dr LM Middletons daughter.

I had a nice letter from Emma [Quigm?] Mr Hutton very well for her and Catherine keeping better. And from Isabella Western. Also from Evie [Eden] asking for Fritz [Eden] to be asked to Anstie which I sent to Mary [Heath] and she says she will ask him first opportunity he is ?, think at Brackenbreys. 

Evie says she likes her little girl very much and writes happily. Louisa G and Clara are in town, I shall try to see them. I think this is all the friendly news I have to send you, darling Gies. Take care of yourself as the weather gets hotter. My love to C and B.

Yours PMC [Posy Marsh-Caldwell]

L takes ZiZi with her so I shall have to fall back on Jack! I told you I had begun my C. [Cooking] School. 12 girls, no 13. Mother [lean?] appreciative. Florence H will carry it on whilst I am away, which is a great point. She has established a weekly [vanty, party?] of G and Ss to try to answer the questions in [Lady Leanes?] she is so nice.

Mr and Mrs Hutchinson came to call on us! As it seemed at Ham Heath yesterday. She a fat, quiet lady, has been a pretty girl. I should think he had the go and the wits. They expressed themselves quite grateful for our kindness to their children! Now I really have done all my budget.

Morning Advertiser

Saturday 3 November 1860

Vice-Chancellor's Courts, Lincoln's Inn, Before Vice Chancellor Sir W.P. Wood. - - Marsh Caldwell v Marsh-Caldwell 

Staffordshire Advertiser

Saturday 29 December 1860

Pursuant to a Decree of the High Court of Chancery, made in a cause Eliza Louisa Marsh-Caldwell and others against Anne Marsh-Caldwell and others, the Creditors of James Stamford Caldwell, late of Linley Wood, in the Parish of Audley, In the County of Stafford, Esquire, who died in or about the month of November 1858, are, by their Solicitors, on or before the 20th day of January, 1861, to come in and prove their debts at the chambers of the Vice-Chancellor Wood, at No.11 New Square, Lincoln's Inn, Middlesex, or in default thereof they will be peremptorily excluded from the benefit of the said decree.

Monday the 28th January 1861, at 12 o'clock at noon, at the said Chambers, is appointed for hearing and adjudicating upon the claims. 

Dated this 20th Day of December 1860. Henry Leman, Chief Clerk. Clowes, Hickley and Keary. 

Agents for Keary and Sheppard, Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire. Plaintiffs' Solicitors.