Category Archives: Misc

Papers of Human Interest

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T.40 – Main Points

The writer discusses a dispute involving:

  • succession to a military appointment or office,
  • claims of service,
  • seniority,
  • recommendations made by superior officers,
  • and whether a particular candidate had been unfairly passed over.

One passage appears to state that an individual:

“…served with distinction…”

and that recommendations had been made on that person’s behalf.

Another section discusses:

“…promotion…”

and whether proper procedures had been followed.

The overall tone is that of a formal petition setting out facts and arguments to support a claim.

T.41 – Chalklen Estate Papers

The envelope is particularly interesting.

The endorsement appears to read approximately:

“Letters found among Chalklen Estate Papers”

Addressed to:

E. M. Byrde Esq.

with an address that appears to include:

Saxon House

This is significant because it directly links the papers to the Chalklen family whose relationship to the Byrdes was described in the Huguenot memorandum.

Letter Found in the Envelope

The third image contains a personal handwritten letter.

The first paragraphs read approximately:

“…left the house at six o’clock…”

and refer to a journey involving:

  • roads being blocked,
  • difficulties travelling,
  • delays,
  • encounters with local people,
  • and weather conditions.

Later sections mention:

“…the hill of late…”

and:

“…received by post…”

The letter appears personal rather than legal or military.

Several place names occur but are difficult to read from the current image quality.

Lugarches (?) 19th December 1815

and is addressed:

My Lord

It appears to be a formal statement concerning the military service and accounts of Colonel Bird.

Partial transcription

“I have taken the liberty of laying before your Lordship’s indulgence in a case the particulars of which are here stated…”

The letter continues:

“…after the battle of Vittoria, Brevet and Colonel Bird was left there on duty…”

This almost certainly refers to the Battle of Vitoria (21 June 1813) during the Peninsular War.

Further down:

“…his brother was paid by his brother for him, until it was ascertained that the former was going to England…”

The writer then discusses:

  • settlement of accounts,
  • public and private accounts,
  • balances due,
  • military administration after the campaign.

Another readable section states:

“…Captain Leech were authorized by him to settle his accounts both Public and Private…”

and:

“…The balances on the abstract to 24 September were up by £106 9s…”

The remainder becomes progressively harder to read because of the angle and focus.

Archival wrapper

The final image gives an important clue.

It is labelled:

Papers of “human interest”

with archive reference:

T 38-44

This suggests that somebody sorting the Byrde family archive separated a bundle of particularly interesting personal documents from the routine legal deeds.

T.39 – Henry Charles Bird

The second image appears to be titled:

Henry Charles Bird Esq.

and beneath:

The Hague Journal

The document reads like a financial or military account associated with Henry Charles Bird during his time abroad.

Items listed include:

  • Allowance from army contingencies
  • Remittances for charges from various sources
  • Expenses incurred in Holland
  • Payments received
  • “Paid to Stamp and Parchment”
  • “Four quires paper purchased”
  • “Allowance in your capacity over and above your pay”

The entries are accompanied by columns of pounds, shillings and pence.

This is almost certainly a personal account statement rather than a legal deed.

Letter concerning Major Bird

The third image appears to be a draft or copy letter.

Several passages can be read reasonably confidently:

“The business of Lt. Lewis appears to think for a considerable time…”

Later:

“…the circumstances under which his Majesty ordered the payment of four shillings per day…”

and:

“…Major Bird…”

There are references to:

  • army pay,
  • allowances,
  • warrants,
  • travelling expenses,
  • and repayment.

The letter appears to be discussing whether a military officer was entitled to a particular allowance.

At the end:

“I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient humble servant…”

which is typical official military correspondence.

The wrapper

The final wrapper is particularly revealing.

It reads:

Papers of “human interest”

Archive reference:

T.38-44

Which strongly suggests a later family archivist separated these papers from the mass of title deeds because they contained personal and family material rather than property records.

Why this matters

The deed index you shared earlier listed:

  • Henry Bird’s commission
  • Letters from Henry Byrde in Holland and Spain (1801-1813)
  • Papers relating to the Bird family
  • Military documents

These newly uploaded items look very much like some of those original papers.

In particular, the heading:

Henry Charles Bird Esq. — The Hague Journal

fits perfectly with the catalogue entry describing correspondence from Holland.

If that identification is correct, then these are not simply legal records. They are surviving papers created during the Napoleonic War period and may document:

  • Henry Bird’s military service,
  • his finances while abroad,
  • travel in Holland,
  • army allowances,
  • and correspondence with government departments.

Most exciting clue

The combination of:

  • the Huguenot booklet naming Lieut.-Colonel Henry Bird,
  • the deed inventory mentioning letters from Henry Byrde in Holland and Spain, 1801-1813,
  • and a document headed “Henry Charles Bird Esq. – The Hague Journal”

suggests that a substantial portion of the family’s military archive once survived alongside the Goytre estate

T.40 – “The complaint of a rejected successor of service”

The cover page clearly reads:

The complaint of a rejected successor of service
(or possibly “successor of service” / “successor of office”)

This appears to be a memorandum or legal argument concerning military promotion and succession.

The handwriting is difficult, but the opening paragraph can be broadly read as:

“Sir, I have the honour of placing before your notice the case of Captain [name], who has preferred certain claims…”

The document goes on to discuss:

  • military rank,
  • succession to a post,
  • alleged irregularity,
  • claims to promotion,
  • military regulations,
  • evidence submitted in support.

This looks very much like a formal petition or statement of grievance.

T.39 – Henry Charles Bird Esq.

The account headed:

Henry Charles Bird Esq.

appears to be a detailed financial statement.

A number of entries can be read:

  • Allowance from contingencies
  • Remittances of money received
  • Travelling expenses
  • Postage
  • Stamp and parchment
  • Four quires of paper purchased
  • Various official charges

The account concludes with a balance calculation.

This suggests that Henry Charles Bird was keeping official or semi-official accounts while serving abroad.

The most important letter

The long letter is much clearer than in the earlier photographs.

It discusses events after the:

Battle of Vittoria

(now usually spelled Vitoria)

and concerns:

Colonel Bird

The key points appear to be:

1. Colonel Bird was left on duty after the battle

The writer states that after the battle:

Colonel Bird was left there on duty

while others returned.

2. Confusion over accounts and pay

The letter repeatedly discusses:

  • public accounts,
  • private accounts,
  • balances due,
  • settlement of expenses,
  • authority delegated to others.

3. Captain Leech

A section states that:

Captain Leech was authorised to settle his accounts

while Bird remained on duty.

4. A balance due

The writer calculates sums due and discusses reconciliation of accounts.

Several references occur to:

  • September returns,
  • abstracts,
  • balances,
  • expenditure.

Why this matters for the Byrde story

Earlier documents established:

  • Henry Bird served in the army.
  • Family tradition said he served in the Peninsular War.
  • The archive catalogue listed military commissions and letters from Holland and Spain.
  • The Huguenot booklet described Lieut.-Colonel Henry Bird of the 87th and 5th Regiments.

These documents provide contemporary evidence supporting that tradition.

In particular, the reference to:

“after the battle of Vittoria”

places Henry Bird directly within the Peninsular War context.

Since the Battle of Vitoria took place on 21 June 1813, this letter appears to concern administrative matters arising from that campaign.

A particularly intriguing detail

The catalogue entry No. 48 referred to:

“Letters from Henry Byrde in Holland and Spain to his wife. 1801-1813.”

The combination of:

  • The Hague financial accounts,
  • references to Spain,
  • references to Vitoria,
  • and the military correspondence,

strongly suggests that these are surviving fragments from that very group of papers.

If so, they are not merely family papers but firsthand documents connected with a Byrde ancestor’s service during the Napoleonic Wars.

For a family historian, these military documents may be among the most valuable items in the entire archive because they move the story from family tradition into contemporary documentary evidence.

Extract from Ancient Deeds and Documents

The notes refer to:

  • an “ancient enclosure and labourers’ allotment”,
  • a document relating to allotments,
  • various tenants and occupiers,
  • references to farms and holdings,
  • and what appears to be a summary rather than an original record.

A very interesting section reads approximately:

“…found in a packet of old papers…”

and refers to older family deeds being examined.

The page ends with a list of people connected with an allotment premium:

  • Mrs B. Lewis
  • George B.
  • Charles Oliver
  • William Davies
  • William Lewis

followed by:

18th July 1917

This looks very much like a research memorandum or estate note made during the First World War period.

Second Page

This page is much clearer and concerns allotments in Goytre.

The writer records:

Ancient allotments and labourers’ allotments…

and then discusses forming a committee and the administration of allotment land.

Among the points that can be read are:

  • references to common land,
  • parish administration,
  • allotments for labourers,
  • local management,
  • trustees,
  • and rent collection.

The tone suggests the writer was trying to understand how the system had developed historically.

One passage appears to mention:

“…not specified in the original enclosure…”

which suggests the writer was consulting enclosure documents.

Third Page

This page continues the historical investigation.

Key phrases that can be read include:

“The old commission…”

“The old manor…”

“parish records…”

“Boundaries…”

The notes discuss:

  • ancient parish boundaries,
  • ownership of landed property,
  • rights of occupation,
  • allotments,
  • and local administration.

The writer repeatedly cites earlier deeds and papers and appears to be assembling evidence from several sources.

 

Col. Henry Bird’s Journal – 1818

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1818

Canterbury → Dover → Calais → Northern France → Belgium → Luxembourg → Rhine Valley → Schaffhausen → Lucerne → Interlaken → Berne → Geneva → Burgundy → Paris → Versailles → Beauvais → Calais → England

June 27th

Left Cant. by 20 mins before 6 – arrived at Dover 10 min past 8.

Much difficulty in getting the carriage on board. Breakfast at Dover. Intense heat.

Wrote to Merriott. Dined at Dover.

Embarked for Calais on board the King George at half past 4. (King George was a 60-70 ton sloop which began operating across the English Channel in 1814.) Not a breath of wind till about 7 o’clock when a breeze sprang and gradually increased till we came off Calais about 12 o’clock.

It being low water and no boats coming off we lay to, the wind continuing to blow very hard and reached Calais harbour at half past 5 on Sunday morning.

Past the Custom Houses without any difficulty. Came to Quillarg’s Hotel, breakfast.

Miss Parry dreadfully sick during the voyage. Mrs P. Ill but not sick, so myself, Eliz and Miss S. Most courageous, such a voyage I hope never to have again and I most hastily, and with all my energies thank God for his Gracious Preservation of us through what we conceived dangers.

Walked up to the Barracks, admired the sight very much, the pier head from the top fine and interesting.

The first thing that disgusted me on my entry into ? was the other shops and market and all the ordinary occasions of life and fellows without any awareness of the filthy conditions and of abstaining from all worldly callings.

Very much favoured with the accommodation starting at M. Emilloge.

Went into the church to see mass performed, this I don’t attempt to describe.

Saw Cpt. Harrison and his son who were very attentive and useful in getting money exchanged.

After dinner we walked on the Esplanade and I saw Napoleon’s Bridge over the canal, not at all fatigued with the days journey.

The weather has been particularly fine, very hot the whole day. In my private opinion the accommodations at the hotel in Calais are far more finer than those in England. The civility of the attendants is unprecedented than that of the persons.

The honey and hams are in every way inferior to that in England. The country abounds in corn and wood. The towns and villages are old. It being the Saturday/Sunday we saw the peasantry dressed in their best clothes.

I sincerely thank God for bringing us safely to the end of this day’s journey. I trust in God that my dearest wife and children are all comfortably and happily settled at home. May God in his infinite goodness guide and support them during my absence and bring me home to them.

At St Omer the ruins of the Jesuit College are very fine and beautiful.

? from Calais to Omer was not very particularly interesting nor indeed to Lille except that the ? of trees attract the eye and are extremely beautiful. We intended to pass through Orfel but the state of the bridge.

Lille is a very fine town. We went to the Hotel de Bourbon.

Mon June 30th

We left Lille at ¼ past 6. Breakfasted at Tournai, at the Hotel d’Jamril, not a very good house, before we set down to breakfast we walked to the Cathedral where the priest was holding mass. It is a very fine building. I was quite enamoured by the organ, which had a particularly strong body of tune and was played very well indeed.

The ride in ? was very uninteresting until we came to Eynheim from which we were obliged to come after being detained some time. When we had covered about 2 or 3 miles we met a carriage with 3 English ladies and a maid servant returning to England. We exchanged horses and came to a beautiful park, a pavilion by a pond wherein were cold fish and from which we can see from the pavilion the park extended indeed.

From Eynheim to Bethune was much as expected though it was too dark to see very much of the country having been detained at Eynheim ¾ of an hour for horses. We arrived at the hotel Vue at 11 o’clock at night /no dinner/.

We enter Belgium between Pont à Timfin and Jourain.

From Lille to Brusselles

À Pont à Turfin 1¾  hours, 9½ miles

In Tourai 1¾ 9½

À Leuze 2 11

À Ath 1½  8¼

À Eyheim 2¼ 12¼

À Hal 1¾  9½

À Brusselles 2½ 13¾

In two days we travelled 156¾ miles well and all. I thank God very well and in part. I think the Lewis’s very cheerful.

After breakfast the ladies went shopping for about 5 hours. We then went to the museum and the Cathedral. In the former were a great amount of very beautiful pictures, one in particular by D (Jacques-Louis David) Telemachus and Eucharis.

In the Cathedral is a very ancient pulpit and on the pillars in the rear of the church are very fine colourful statues of the apostles and in each chapel was a candle or a lamp burning. The effect of the furthest chapel was fine.

Dined at the Tulle d’ Late. Called in the Gweforg? And went to tea at the Palace of Laeken, the summer residence of the King of the Netherlands and was very much pleased particularly with the concert room which is a very fine circular building.

The entry very beautiful and the gardens laid out in the English manner. A stream of water running along the bottom. A fine view of Brussels on the front, very much  // with the peasants singing and making merry.

The ride through Attey Seely was particularly interesting and beautiful.

Took a barge from Ghent up the canal which saw a beautiful night.

Thurs July 2nd – Johnnie birth-day

Friday, July 3rd – A mileage table headed roughly:

Route Miles
Templeuve to Genappe (?) 22
another stage 11
another stage 13½
Arras (?) 22
Total about 68½

The narrative contains observations about Belgian and French farming.

Several readable remarks include:

There is a great deal of farm work going on and the roads are remarkably good the villages are also clean and neat. There is also a great deal of manufacturing along the roads with comments on church buildings and architecture.

  • July 4

    • Lille
    • Hotel
    • Aire & Calonne (or Aire & Calais, uncertain)

    Total shown: – £6 12s 0d

    Saturday, July 5th

    Arrived at La Chapelle or La Chapelle d’Armentières (the place-name is difficult).

    For dinner breakfast and lodgings the amount now spent is £9 12s 0d

    We had gained a beautiful view…the diary repeatedly praises:

    church spires, public buildings, village layouts, cultivated fields, and roadside scenery and a chateau and saying how beautiful the landscape is.

Sunday, July 7th – A fresh mileage table begins. Places seem to include:

  • Bonningues (possibly)
  • Ruminghem (?)
  • Andres (?)
  • Colembert

Total approximately 53½ miles.

  • July 7 – Contains place names that appear to include:

    • Sunday
    • Templeuve
    • Andresel (?) / Audreselles (possibly)
    • Colembert

    Total:

    £9 7s 0d

    July 8 – Places resembling:

    • Bethune
    • St Omer
    • Hesdin
    • Montreuil

    Total:

    £5 8s 10d

    July 9 – Places apparently including:

    • Fruges
    • Fauquembergues
    • Wormhout
    • Hazebrouck
    • Merris

    Total:

    £7 6s 0d

    July 11, 1811 — Baden

    The first opening appears to describe arrival at Baden (almost certainly Baden in present-day Belgium near Spa).

    Fragments that can be read with reasonable confidence include:

    Arrived at Baden at half past five, went into the Gardens the weather very hot and dusty we arrived back at the hotel after ten. The writer praises the public gardens and town layout and repeatedly remarks on the beauty of the scenery.

    A mileage note at the bottom appears to indicate:

    • Left about 8 a.m.
    • Reached Baden around mid-afternoon.
    • Total distance around 63½ miles.

    July 12, 1811 — Baden

    This is one of the most personal passages in the diary.

    The writer does not travel far and instead spends the day in Baden.

    Key readable sections:

    “Did not rise very early today…”

    “…called on one of Mary’s relations…”

    The day’s activities include:

    • walking through the town,
    • visiting gardens,
    • observing visitors and local life,
    • sitting in the public promenade,
    • talking with acquaintances.

    A particularly interesting section reflects on personal conduct and temptation. The writer discusses a moral question and concludes:

    “…I did not yield…”

    and later:

    “…that was not to do…”

    The tone becomes surprisingly introspective for a travel journal.

    Later the writer describes:

    “…one of the finest promenades…”

    “…many visitors…”

    “…music…”

    suggesting a fashionable spa town atmosphere.

Monday, July 15

The writer is still travelling along the Rhine Valley.

Key points discernible from the text:

  • After breakfast they went to view scenery along the Rhine.
  • The writer repeatedly comments on:
    • the beauty of the river,
    • steep hills and mountains,
    • vineyards,
    • towns beside the river,
    • and castle ruins.

One passage can be summarized as:

The views became increasingly beautiful as the journey progressed, with mountains rising close to the river and numerous picturesque villages.

The writer appears particularly impressed by the scenery around Schaffhausen and the upper Rhine districts.

Tuesday, July 16

A clearly dated entry begins:

Tuesday July 16.

The party left Schaffhausen at approximately 7 o’clock.

A route list follows which includes several place names, though some are difficult to decipher.

The destination appears to have been an Alpine district near:

  • Lucerne
  • lake country
  • mountain scenery

The writer records:

“The road itself was particularly good…”

and remarks on fine weather and excellent views.

One especially readable observation:

“…the lakes and mountains were very beautiful…”

The day’s journey ended around evening after travel through mountainous country.

Wednesday, July 17

This page is clearer.

The writer notes:

Left [town] after breakfast…

The journey included:

  • river scenery,
  • mountain roads,
  • several villages and towns,
  • views over a lake,
  • passing through cultivated valleys.

A particularly readable section states:

“…the weather today was clear and much cooler among the mountains.”

The writer describes stopping beside a lake and observing reflections of mountains on the water.

Saturday, July 18

The writer leaves Interlaken after an early breakfast and travels toward Lucerne.

The entry mentions:

  • passing through mountain districts,
  • travelling beside lakes,
  • numerous waterfalls,
  • snow-covered peaks visible in the distance,
  • excellent roads through the valleys.

One particularly clear theme is the writer’s admiration for the Swiss landscape:

“…the scenery was most delightful…”

and

“…great masses of mountains…”

The writer repeatedly notes changes in elevation and the contrast between lakes and mountain slopes.

Sunday, July 19

This entry appears largely devoted to sightseeing rather than long-distance travel.

The writer describes:

  • church attendance,
  • walks through the town,
  • viewing mountain scenery,
  • observation of visitors and tourists.

Several references seem to be to Lucerne and its surroundings.

There are repeated remarks about:

  • lake views,
  • promenades,
  • church buildings,
  • and the cleanliness and orderliness of the town.

The tone is reflective and appreciative.

Thursday, July 20th

Fine weather all day but very windy.

The writer records a visit to a church.

Several passages discuss:

  • the church interior,
  • stained or coloured glass,
  • monuments,
  • carved work,
  • and memorials.

One paragraph appears to mention:

a monument erected to the memory of persons killed during the Revolution

though some words remain uncertain.

Friday, July 21st

The writer leaves a town early:

Left [town] at about 6.

The remainder describes:

  • crossing open country,
  • visiting another church,
  • examining civic buildings,

“Breakfast at St Omer’s, but had not time to see the town…”

“…the accommodation at the inn at Calais. It was far superior to those in England. The civility of the attendants is unparalleled…”

Place Distance
Templeux 13½
Doullens 11
Abbeville 8⅓
Hesdin (?) 12¼
Amiens 13¾

Total journey:

“13½ = 74¼”

Friday, July 26

The traveller appears to leave Geneva after breakfast.

A mileage table records a route through several French towns, including what appear to be:

  • St. Julien
  • Annemasse
  • Cruseilles
  • Frangy
  • and other small Savoy settlements

Total distance appears to be about 64¼ miles.

The narrative comments on:

  • unsettled weather,
  • intermittent rain,
  • attractive farming country,
  • good roads despite the weather.

A particularly readable phrase is:

“The weather intensely hot and almost insufferable…”

followed later by remarks that conditions improved.

The writer notes difficulty obtaining rooms because of the number of travellers on the road.

Saturday, July 27

The party travelled from Dijon toward Auxerre.

The route table appears to total approximately 31¾ miles before midday, followed by additional travel.

Places that can be made out include:

  • Dijon
  • Genlis
  • Auxonne
  • St. Jean-de-Losne (likely)
  • and surrounding Burgundy towns

Observations include:

  • vineyards,
  • extensive cultivation,
  • prosperous-looking farms,
  • good accommodation.

The writer remarks favourably on the Burgundy countryside and the excellent roads.

Sunday, July 28

A long mileage table occupies much of the page.

The traveller leaves Dijon and proceeds toward Paris by stages.

The place names are difficult but appear to include several Yonne and Seine districts.

The total shown at the bottom is approximately:

125½ miles

which suggests this may have been a full day’s coach or motor journey with multiple stages.

The narrative records:

  • breakfast at a hotel,
  • departure shortly after,
  • arrival in Paris in the evening.

One line appears to read:

“…reached Paris about 6 o’clock…”

The writer comments on urban traffic after many days in rural districts.

Monday, July 29 – They leave  Paris early.

The diary notes:

Left Paris at half past four and records travel northward.

The writer compares Paris with the rural regions seen earlier and remarks on:

  • crowds,
  • traffic,
  • noise,
  • and the contrast with the Swiss mountains.

There is also praise for parts of Paris, including public buildings and broad streets.

The Channel crossing itself is mentioned briefly and appears to have been smoother than the outward voyage.

Below that:

“Monday July 1st”

The writer describes travelling through attractive country:

“…the road runs through beautiful scenery…”

References include:

  • villages,
  • churches,
  • public buildings,
  • gardens,
  • cultivated land,
  • Protestant churches,
  • architecture,
  • market towns.

The diary reads like observations made during a coach or carriage journey across northern France.

  • At the top is a distance table. The place names are partly obscured, but appear to include:

    • Aire
    • Thérouanne
    • Licques

    Total approximately 48½ miles.

    The narrative then records arrival at Licques:

    We arrived at Licques about 5 o’clock.
    The roads at any time but especially in the evening when the dust had settled looked exceedingly beautiful.

    The writer comments favourably on:

    • the countryside,
    • the cleanliness of the roads,
    • cultivation of the land,
    • and the farming.

    A later sentence appears to read:

    The corn looked very promising.

    The page ends with:

Tuesday, July 22

The writer appears to leave Berne (Bern) after breakfast.

The entry records:

  • a drive through attractive agricultural country,
  • villages and farmhouses,
  • travel beside lakes,
  • continued admiration for Swiss roads and scenery.

A readable section suggests:

“…the road was exceedingly beautiful…”

The writer notes stopping for meals at roadside inns and comments several times on the quality of accommodation and hospitality.

There is also a reflective passage comparing travel comforts abroad with conditions at home.

Wednesday, July 23

This page is much clearer.

The route appears to involve travel toward Vevey and the eastern end of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman).

Notable observations include:

  • mountain scenery descending dramatically toward the lake,
  • vineyards on steep slopes,
  • villages overlooking the water,
  • exceptionally clear views.

The writer repeatedly comments on:

“…beautiful scenery…”

and

“…one of the most delightful drives…”

There are references to arriving in the evening and obtaining accommodation after a long day’s travel.

Thursday, July 24

The diary becomes almost entirely descriptive.

The writer describes:

  • the lake surface,
  • mountains reflected in the water,
  • changing colours during the day,
  • boats on the lake,
  • villages along the shoreline.

One passage appears to say that no written account can adequately convey the beauty of the scene.

The author notes:

“…all were delighted…”

and repeatedly records feelings of gratitude for seeing such scenery.

Landscape Description

Several features recur throughout these pages:

Lake Geneva district

The diary appears to have reached the Lake Geneva region.

References include:

  • lakeside roads,
  • vineyards,
  • terraces,
  • mountain slopes descending to the water.

Swiss Villages

The writer praises:

  • cleanliness,
  • neat farmhouses,
  • flowers,
  • public buildings,
  • church spires.

Roads

Again there are repeated remarks that:

the roads are excellent

and

travelling is comfortable.

This observation appears throughout the entire continental tour.

What Makes These Pages Interesting

These entries mark a noticeable transition in the diary.

Earlier sections concentrated on:

  • mileage,
  • routes,

July 9, 1811 — Rhine Journey

The final opening is especially important because it identifies the route.

Mileage Table

The route appears to include:

  • Bingen
  • Bacharach
  • Oberwesel
  • Boppard
  • St. Goar
  • possibly Mainz / Mayence

with a total near 60½ miles.

Narrative

The writer describes travel beside the Rhine:

“The road to Bingen was good…”

“Breakfast at Mayence…”

The account then becomes a long description of the Rhine scenery.

Readable passages include:

“…crossed the Rhine…”

“…many castles…”

“…vineyards…”

“…beautiful scenery…”

“…the Rhine running between high mountains…”

The traveler is plainly impressed:

“…the scenery continually beautiful…”

“…one of the most delightful drives…”

The writer notes:

  • castle ruins,
  • steep hillsides,
  • vineyards running down to the river,
  • river traffic,
  • numerous villages,
  • and church towers.

Arrival

A later section reads approximately:

“…Reached Mayence…”

Monday, July 20

This is one of the more legible entries.

After breakfast the party makes an excursion into the mountains.

The writer records views over a large lake and notes:

“…the lake was beautiful…”

and

“…the mountains reflected in the water…”

There are references to:

  • high roads,
  • wooded slopes,
  • meadows,
  • and villages scattered across the hillsides.

The writer remarks that no photograph or sketch could adequately capture the scene.

Tuesday, July 21

Travel resumes.

The diary notes:

  • departure after breakfast,
  • movement through mountain passes,
  • villages with carved wooden houses,
  • cattle grazing on steep slopes.

A significant feature seems to be a high viewpoint overlooking both valleys and lakes.

The writer repeatedly pauses to describe the panorama.

Expense Ledger (1811)

The middle image is largely an account of daily expenses and accommodation costs.

Legible headings include:

1811

  • June 29
  • July entries throughout the journey

Items recorded include:

  • Hotel expenses
  • Postage
  • Tips
  • Guides
  • Meals
  • Laundry
  • Railway and carriage expenses

Several place names can still be identified:

  • Calais
  • Lille
  • Dijon
  • Templeuve
  • Paris
  • Versailles
  • Geneva
  • Vevey
  • Lucerne
  • Berne

Many amounts are written in pounds, shillings and pence.

This appears to be a retrospective accounting of costs incurred during the tour.

Wednesday, July 29

This page is comparatively clear.

The entry reads approximately:

Reached Versailles at 12 o’clock.

The writer visited:

  • the town of Paris,
  • the Château,
  • the gardens,
  • the Trianon.

A later sentence appears to read:

Returned to Paris at 6 o’clock.

The day was devoted largely to sightseeing around Versailles.

Thursday, July 30

Tuesday, July 30

This section appears to describe the final stages before crossing to England.

The traveller records:

  • reaching the coast,
  • hotel accommodation,
  • arrangements for departure,
  • weather conditions.

The writer travelled:

from Paris to Beauvais

Distance noted:

18½ miles

The entry appears to mention:

  • the Cathedral of Beauvais,
  • gardens,
  • public walks,
  • and time spent viewing the town.

Image 3 – Closing Entries

This page is the most historically interesting because it appears to conclude the journey.

Wednesday, July 29

Reasonably clear:

Reached Versailles at 12 o’clock.

The writer then records visits to:

  • The town of Paris
  • The Château
  • The gardens
  • The Trianons

and states:

Returned to Paris at 6 o’clock.

Thursday, July 30

A brief journey is recorded:

From Paris to Beauvais

Distance:

18½ miles

The writer mentions the cathedral and spending part of the day viewing the town.

Friday, July 31

The final dated diary entry.

Went to post office, Bank of England, and the Louvre…

What is clearer is that the day contains very little travel and reads more like a winding-down of the tour before departure.

Bottom-line total visible:

£41 5s 0d

The page is essentially a cost ledger accompanying the route described in the diary.

Only a short final note survives.

References include:

  • Post Office
  • Bank
  • the Seine

and what appears to be the end of the journey.

 

T320

Posted on by

Letter from Guernsey 23rd August 1823

My Dear Frances,

I have great pleasure in acknowledging your letter of the 29th of last month.

This is all to you at Canterbury presuming by your account that you will be returned to your winter home by the time this will reach you.

The favourable account of your little family and of the recovery of dear Fanny are truly gratifying, I at one time entertained sanguine hope of seeing you all at Canterbury this summer but various circumstances have occur to prevent it, we flatter ourselves however that nothing will happen to thwart the execution of our plan in the course of next spring.

You have heard, I doubt not from various quarters perhaps from the public papers that our dear Louisa was on the 17 of last month happily delivered of a fine girl. She was not ill more than 6 hours and her suffering were not great except during the last. Her two little children are in good health.

She is perfectly recovered and will most probably return to her impatient husband in the course of a week or two.

Mr K has now taken a house or lodging in the country for the months of September and October on the Clapham road about 10 miles from town.

With respect to your enquiries concerning Havilland I have the please to say that he acquits himself from his spiritual function with general applause. He preached his first sermon in French on the 8th June.

(The letter is not signed)

T75 – Frederick Chalken

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We, Lord John Russell, a member of her Majesty’s Brittanic Majesty’s most honourable Privy Council, a member of Parliament and her Majesty’s Secretary of State for foreign affairs etc. etc.

Request and require in the name of her Majesty all those whom it may concern to all Mr Frederick Chalken (British subject travelling on the continent) to move freely without let or hinderance to and afford him every assistance and protection of which he may stand to need.

Given at the Foreign Office London 20th day of April 1860.

T73 – Kingston

Posted on by

Kingston Jamaica 17th August 1807

Dear Sir,
I am in receipt of your favour of 6th May though I have been hitherto so situated to appear in your eyes acting an unjustifiable part with respect to the estate of our friend R.S. yet I hope in the end you will acknowledge I have been led into a train of unforeseen circumstances than any assign.
The present is not the time for a complete explanation of the whole business but I trust when Mr Doole comes of age I shall be able to satisfy both you and him as well as any person he may well appoint to act for him, that all my transactions in regard to it have been fair and I make little doubt of settling the accounts and paying over the balance without any disputes.

T173 – Will of Henry Arnold

Posted on by

T173

To all people to whom these presents shall come. I Henry Arnold of the city of Canterbury, gentleman send greetings.

Whereas Henry Arnold of ye province of New York, merchant, did old and in and by a codicil in writing to this last Will and Testamt. Bearing the date on or about the 4th day of September which was in the year of our Lord 1764 relating that the said Henry Arnold the testator since the making his will had by lease and re-lease the lease bearing date the 1st and the release the 2nd day of June 1764.

Purchased of Isaac Bromyn a farmer plantation and messuage lying in Dutches County in the Province of New York, also another farm or plantation and messuage lying at Shrewsbury in the Province of east Jersey being in three different parcels. Will order, direct and empower his executor thereinafter named or and survivors of them to sell and dispose of all his real estate, whatsoever and wheresoever for the most it would fetch and out of the proceeds thereof did thereby give and bequeath to me ye said Henry Arnold by ye name then described to his beloved nephew Henry John Cummings of the City of Canterbury, gentleman.

Maketh oath that he, this despondent did see and hear Henry Arnold of the sd City of Canterbury, gentleman, sign, seal and as his act and deed in due form of law deliver the paper, writing, deed, poll, or letter of Attorney hereto annexed bearing date 14th day of this instant September.

And this day dept.t further saith that the name of ye sd Henry Arnold to the sd paper, writing, deed, poll, or letter of Attorney subscribed is of the proper hand writing of him the said Henry Arnold and that the name of this despondent is John Cummings.

And also ye name of Richard Barham of the said City of Canterbury also subscribed to and sd poll, writing, deed, poll, letter of Attorney are of the respective proper hand writings of him the sd Richard Barham.

21st day of September 1772

Legacy £500

(More but just repetitive)

T181 – Will of William Arnold, Yeoman

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T181

Will of Henry Arnold parish of Kingston Kent, yeoman.

To John Arnold messuage and tenement with barn, garden, orchard etc.

To Susannah, daughter, wife of John Marsh, all household goods, dinner and household furniture.

To Grandchildren:

Susannah, Henry, John and Jane Marsh £50 each.

Henry Arnold £200 to set him as an apprentice, son of John Arnold.

Henry Arnold, late of New York £20.

T189 – Land Account

Posted on by

T189 – 1821

310 Stock hold 2214 15 0

Land taken by the canal co £199-1-6 } 96

To timber and (unable to read) } 54 14

2364 9 0

1668 4 10

Balance 7696 4 2

Rec’d Wm Walters 270

Stock hold

Rec’d by Wm Watts share of the above 95 3 51/2

Thos Cook all(owed) 83 13 21/2

And Wm Richard Lewis and Georgina his wife

T26 – Samuel Bird Cash Account

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T26 – Cash account of Samuel Bird

1792
Aug 10th Paid interest to James Hutchinson 280 00
Aug 17th To paid Thomas Clare 1000 00
Aug 17th To paid Wm Pearce costs in the
Chancery suit 141 13
23rd To paid James Hutchinson the like 59 19
Dec 31st To paid Joseph Bird principal int.t 336 12
Balance due to Samuel Bird and which, since
His death hath been paid to his widow and
administration as will appear in Mrs Bird’s
administration account 2443 16
Title with the account general at the time of his death

1791
Jan.y by cash received of Isaac Leferne 352 3
20th By received 6 months dividends on the
£4666 13 4d South Sea Stocks to 5th Janry

1791 – £1 13 4d
July 23rd
By 6 months to 5th July 1791 £1 13s 4d

1792
Jan 20th – by 6 months due 1st Jan £1 13s 4d
July 23rd – by by 6 months due 5th July £1 13s 4d
Aug 6th – By receipt of James Hutchinson 100£ being
So much directed to before 100£ allowed by the master.
Aug 15th – by received on sale of 1190 10s part of the above South Sea Stock
Aug 25th – by cash received of Isaac Leferne £462 4s 0d

Statement of the stock received for Mr Samuel Bird’s share of the legacy bequeathed to him by Mr Elias Bird’s will and the manner they have been appropriated.

1790 Dec – By South Sea Stock transferred into Samuel Bird’s name
£466 13s 4d

1792 Aug 8th – transferred to James Hutchinson £2000
15 sold out to pay off debts £1190 10s

Mrs Bird hath received the dividends of this stock upton July 1794 and will appear in her administration account since which she hath transferred the stock as follows:
One half therof into her own name £733 17s 4d
One eighth to Henry Bird Esq., £100 9s 4d
The like to Wm Symons Esq
The like to W H Winstone
The like to Miss Elizabeth Bird

1793 Aug
By stock interest transferred into Mrs Bird’s name £3676 17s 11d
September sold out to pay debts £1300
Mrs Bird hath also received the dividends of this stock up to 5th July 1794. I carried them to the administration account since which she hath transferred the principal.
One half in her own name £4000 0s 11d
One eighth into the name of Henry Bird, Wm Symons, Wm Winstone and Miss Elizabeth Bird each receiving £297 2s 3d

1794 July
By bank 37pc by annuities transferred into Mrs Bird’s name in two sums £1205 12s 2d and £106 11s 9d together which in thus appropriated £1312 3s 11d

One half remaining in her own name £656 1s 11d

One eighth transferred to as above each receiving £164 0s 6d

1795 Aug
By more South Sea Stock transferred into Mrs Bird’s name who is thus appropriated £3019 0s 9d
One half remaining therof in her own name one eighth transferred to the like as before.