The Gentleman's Daughter (70 page)

MS: ninety-six letters LRO, DDB/72/76–122, 162–71, 446; DDB Ac 7886/96, 98–9, 113–14, 128, 133, 137, 143, 162, 170–71, 193, 201, 207, 213, 222, 227, 236, 239, 241, 246, 256, 264, 267, 272–5, 279, 284, 286, 294, 304, 313, 316. Also three letters to Robert Parker LRO, DDB/72/54, 59, 62. See also PRO, 11/1016, Will of Mrs Ann Pellet. For professional information, see W. Munk (ed.),
The Roll of the Royal College of Physicians of London
(1878),
II
, p. 56 (MS span: 1746–75).

R. Pudsey
, Bolton, Yorkshire

The Pudseys of Bolton by Bowland were an established Yorkshire gentry family, related by marriage to the Dawsons of Langliffe Hall. This woman wrote thanks for civilities received at Browsholme.

MS: single letter LRO, DDB Ac 7886/165 (MS span: 1747).

‘MR’

Although this woman's status is unknown, she probably belonged to a local family of substance, as she entertained a great deal company and mentioned her husband's (‘C:R’) journeyings to the assizes.

MS: letter LRO, DDB Ac 7886/170 (MS span:
c
.1747).

Bessy Ramsden (née Parker) and William Ramsden
(1718–1804), Charterhouse Square, London

Bessy was Elizabeth Parker's cousin. She was the daughter of Robert Parker of London, sister of the manufacturer Ned Parker and the stationer Thomas Parker. She married William Ramsden some time in the late 1750s. Before her marriage, she lived with her brother Ned and later boarded with a ‘genteel family in Aldersgate street’. After her marriage her brother Ned demanded retroactive rent and refused to comply with the terms of Bessy's marriage settlement. Reverend Ramsden was the son of John Ramsden, Master of Penistone School, Yorkshire. Educated at Barnsland near Halifax; usher at Worsborough School, Yorks, 1737–8; BA Cantab. 1742; MA, 1745; PDD Lambeth, 1779; usher at Bishops Stortford School, 1741–8; usher at Charterhouse School, 1748–78, Master 1778–1804; Revd of Balsam, Cambridgeshire, 1779–1804. This cosy couple had four children, Billy (b. 1763), Betsy (b. 1764), Tommy (b. 1768) and Dick (b. 1770). Elizabeth Parker was godmother to the eldest boy.

MS: 129 letters LRO, DDB/72/74–5, 172–298. For professional information, see R. L. Arrowsmith (ed.),
Charterhouse Register, 1769–1872
(1974), p. 420 (MS span: 1760–77).

Robert Sclater
, Clitheroe, Lancashire

This man acted as a political agent for the Listers of Gisburn Park; and was also a witness to the codicil to John Parker's will. A local land deed identifies him as a gentleman, but he was almost certainly a lawyer as well.

MS: three letters LRO, DDB/72/452 and 484; LRO, DDB Ac 7886/276 (1749). For deed, see LRO, DDB/80/116 (MS span: 1749–68).

Jane Scrimshire
(née Pellet), Pontefract, Yorkshire

Daughter of Dr Thomas Pellet of London by his first wife. She met Elizabeth Parker through her stepmother Mrs Ann Pellet, and was a frequent visitor to Browsholme Hall in her youth. Unconventionally, she left her stepmother's establishment in 1748 and set up in rooms on her own in Pontefract with her servant Betty (‘a House of my own was always my Inclination and I think a Cottage to oneself is preferable to a Palace of anothers’), where she met her husband Michael Scrimshire, a local lawyer. He practised as an attorney in Ropergate, Pontefract, but had property in Micklegate, York, and also appears to have followed the assize around the northern circuit. The Scrimshires were related by marriage to the Tempests of Tong Hall, Bradford, and therefore spent many summers in this vicinity. (Michael's sister Elizabeth Scrimshire was married to Captain John Tempest of Nottingham, younger son of Sir George Tempest of Tong. The title passed to his family after the death of his two older brothers in the 1750s.) The Scrimshires had three children: Jenny (b. 1752), who was born blind, Tom (b. 1753) and Deborah (b. 1756). Among many godparents, Sir George Tempest was named godfather to the baby ‘Deb’. Deborah Scrimshire married a Mr Green, ‘citizen’, in 1773, while Tom Scrimshire died abroad in 1774.

MS: forty-three letters before marriage LRO, DDB Ac 7886/88, 91, 94, 100, 105, 120, 127, 130, 134, 139, 171, 190, 194, 202, 205, 208, 218, 232, 235, 238, 240, 243, 253, 255, 257, 263, 265, 266, 268, 271, 287, 288, 289, 290, 292, 296, 298, 302, 305, 314, 317, 318, 320. Forty-one letters to Elizabeth after her marriage, LRO, DDB/72/123–61, 445 and 447. Two letters to Robert Parker LRO, DDB/72/55 and 61 (MS span: 1745–57).

G. Seedall
, Alkincoats, Lancashire

In the 1750s this woman was employed as nurse to the three Parker children, but it is unclear whether she served in the capacity of wet-nurse or nursemaid.

MS: two letters LRO, DDB/72/69–70 (MS span: 1756).

Edward Southouse
, Wax Chandlers Hall, London

Elizabeth Parker's maternal uncle. By his connections and address it was assumed that he was a merchant. Given his commercial association, he was probably a soap-maker like his brother Henry.

MS: single letter LRO, DDB Ac 7886/312 (MS span: 1749).

Henry Kynaston Southouse
, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (
c.
1728–1773)

Cousin to Elizabeth Parker. The son of Henry Southhouse and Mary Kynaston. He was admitted to Sidney Sussex college in 1745 aged seventeen. He matriculated in 1745 and gained his BA in 1748–9. His ultimate occupation is unclear.

MS: single letter LRO, DDB Ac 7886/104 (MS span: 1746).

Jane Southouse
(née Parker), London (b. 1702)

Elizabeth Parker's paternal aunt, who married the draper Samuel Southouse Esq. of Manuden, Essex, son of the merchant Henry Southouse of Manuden, Essex. She lived for a time in Leadenhall Street.

MS: five letters LRO, DDB/72/60, 68; DDB Ac 7886/92, 187, 262. See also CLRO, Freedom Records, CF1/432, 1723 (MS span: 1723–55).

Mary Southouse
(née Kynaston), London (
c.
1702)

Elizabeth Parker's maternal aunt. She was born Mary Kynaston and in 1722 married Henry Southouse of St Giles, Cripplegate, London, a soap-maker ‘being unfortunately one of the worst and most unprofitable trades in England’. At her husband's early death in 1729, she lived off the rent of various properties in St Martins-in-the-Fields, plus the residue of the estate after legacies. She was executor to his will.

MS: single letter LRO, DDB Ac 7886/90. See also CLRO, Freedom Records, CF1/390, June 1720, and ERO, D/Dc 27/1010 (1 Nov. 1729), Probate of will of Henry Southouse (MS span: 1720–45).

Sam Southouse
, Temple Cloisters, London

Sam was Ann Pellet's nephew, named executor of her will. He inherited the portraits of his aunt and uncle. From his address and the content of his letter it is assumed that he was a lawyer of some description.

MS: single letter LRO, DDB/72/304 (MS span: 1776).

*John Stanhope
, Horsforth, Yorkshire (1701–69)

A leading barrister on the northern circuit: ‘Old friend Lawyer Stanhope’ joined Robert Parker on the grouse moors in the 1750s and sent gifts of venison. Mr and Mrs Stanhope were also friends of the Scrimshires of Pontefract. Presumably the gentlemen worked together on the northern circuit. He is discussed below with the Spencer Stanhopes (see pp. 374–5).

MS: single letter LRO, DDB/72/482. One of his wife's letters to him is recorded in Stirling,
Annals
, pp. 85–112, but others are collected with the Spencer Stanhope manuscripts in WYAS, Bradford, below (see pp. 374–5). (MS span: 1749).

Thomas Stirling
, Browsholme, Yorkshire

From 1757 to 1775 Thomas Stirling helped Elizabeth Parker administer the Alkincoats estate, in his capacity as steward of Browsholme. They enjoyed very amicable relations, exchanging advice and gifts of produce for over two decades. MS: five letters LRO, DDB/72/448, 453–7 (MS span: 1763–70).

Miss Fanny Walker
, Whitley, Yorkshire

This woman shared many northern friends and acquaintances with Elizabeth Parker. She writes while a house-guest in a substantial Yorkshire household, talking of the bell ringing for dinner, fine London company staying (‘three of the longest chinned familys that ever was seen’), dancing every night and be-diamonded guests. However, the source of her family's money is unclear.

MS: LRO, DDB Ac 7886/280 (MS span: 1749).

Dr R. Walmsley
, Carlisle, Cumberland

An army doctor, stationed near the border during the 1745 rebellion, whose flirtatious tone suggests he was an admirer of Elizabeth Parker.

MS: LRO, DDB Ac 7886/86 (MS span: 1745).

Mrs Jane Walton
, Skipwith hall, Yorkshire

A gentlewoman and heiress. Jane was the only child and heir of Elizabeth Parker of Browsholme and George Toulson of Skipwith. She was married to Banastre Walton of Marsden Hall, Lanes. Eventually, without surviving children of their own, they made Elizabeth Shackleton's second son, John Parker, their heir, and he took the name of Toulson Parker. The Waltons were taxed on eight male servants in 1780, and patronized Gillows of Lancaster.

MS: single letter LRO, DDB Ac 7886/57, and land deeds in Hull University

Manuscripts, e.g. DDFA/1/2).

E. Webster
, Croston, Lancashire

The status of this married woman is unknown.

MS: single letter LRO, DDB Ac 7886/311 (MS span: 1749).

*
Thomas Whitaker
of Simonestone Hall, Lancashire (1701–66)

The Whitakers of Simonstone were an ancient gentry family.

MS: LRO, DDB Ac 7886/228 (MS span: 1748).

*
Henry Wiglesworth
of Townhead, Slaidburn, Yorkshire (b. 1724)

Son and heir of Henry Wiglesworth of Slaidburn, Yorks. He was born at Colne, his mother's home. Educated at Slaidburn School and Cambridge, he was admitted to the Middle Temple on 6 May 1741. The Wiglesworths were well-acquainted with the polite families of north-east Lancashire and owned land in the area through the female line. Henry corresponded with Robert Parker regarding livestock. The Wiglesworths were taxed on two male servants in 1780.

MS: two letters LRO, DDB/72/482, LRO, DDB Ac 7886/244 (MS span: 1748–9).

Mrs Mary Witton
(née Assheton), Chapel Thorp, Wakefield, Yorkshire One of the Asshetons of Downham and Cuerdale, whose first husband was the Revd John Witton of Lupet Hall (1691–1754). John Witton was the son of a Wakefield barrister, educated at Wakefield School and Cambridge. He was ordained priest in 1722, was Rector of Houghton in Huntingdonshire, 1726–32, Vicar of Throcking Northumberland 1740–54, and Prebendary of York 1743–52. Despite the limited financial rewards of a clerical career, this family still appeared one of social substance. They possessed a coach, were friends of the Listers of Gisburn Park, escorted the unmarried Miss Parker to the Wakefield races and were seen about town in York in the 1740s. They also had the wherewithal to undertake building work on a new house, Birthwaite Hall, in the same decade. Mary Witton's second husband was Peregrine Wentworth of Tolston Lodge.

MS: three letters LRO, DDB Ac 7886/307–8, 310 (MS span: 1749).

Correspondents of five sisters: Miss Martha Barcroft (b. 1757), Miss Mary Barcroft (b. 1766), Miss Barbara Barcroft (b. 1762), Mrs Ellen Moon and Mrs Elizabeth Reynolds.

Captain Ambrose Barcroft
(1759–95)

Brother of Barbara, Ellen, Elizabeth, Mary and Martha. Married Eleanor Duffy, of whom nothing is known. He died by shipwreck leaving a daughter Ellen. Curiously, his will of 1793 makes no mention of a wife or daughter. As a young man he was known to Elizabeth Shackleton.

MS: four letters he wrote to his sister ‘my dear Beth’, LRO, DDB/61/34, and LRO, DDB/72/1486–8. Financial information can be gleaned from LRO, DDB/70/8 (1793), Will, and LRO, DDB/252 (1793–4), Account of Captain Barcroft's rents. His majority and military career are mentioned in Elizabeth Shackleton's diary, LRO, DDB/81/37 (1780), f. 34 (MS span: 1785).

Mrs Mary Barcroft
, Bradford, Yorkshire

This woman was sister-in-law to the Miss Barcrofts, the widow of John Barcroft (1764–99), who died at Bradford. Although, by his father's will, John Barcroft inherited an interest in his mother's land in Trawden, Lancashire, how or whether he supplemented his landed income is unknown.

MS: four letters LRO, DDB/72/1500–3 (MS span:
c
.1803).

Joseph Bateman
, Lancaster, Lancashire

Bateman communicated information to the sisters about a legal dispute they were embroiled in. Unfortunately, no data as to his occupation can be found.

MS: single letter LRO, DDB/72/1417 (MS span: 1819).

Mary Cunliffe
(née Oldham) Wycoller, Lancashire

‘Molly’ was the daughter of a wealthy hat-manufacturer, Adam Oldham of Manchester, and was reportedly an heiress. In August 1775 she married Henry Owen Cunliffe (1752–1818) at the collegiate and parish church of Manchester. The Sheffield-born Henry Owen had inherited Wycoller Hall and its estate from his uncle Henry Cunliffe in June 1773. He was educated at Bolton Abbey School and for a time at Oxford. Upon his sudden promotion, he took his uncle's name, joined the Lancashire militia and set about rebuilding the hall. Despite extensive renovations and the purchase of mahogany furniture from Gillows of Lancaster, Wycoller could not throw off the nickname of the ‘haunted house’. Cunliffe made abortive efforts to lease Ackworth Park near Pontefract and later a house near Addingham, but eventually in 1802 he rented Chapel House in Wharfedale, Yorkshire. Thereafter, he only returned to collect rents, shoot grouse and explore the possibilities of mining the coal on his estate. Mary Cunliffe may have been a Methodist, she was certainly accused of being such in Elizabeth Shackleton's diary. Moreover, it was the Cunliffes who rented out land in Colne upon which the first Methodist congregation built their chapel. They had no children.

MS: single letter LRO, DDB/72/1363. For examples of Henry's penmanship, see his letters to Thomas Parker LRO, DDB/72/836, 861, 933 (MS span: 1814).

Miss Charlotte Dickson
, Berwick upon Tweed

This doctor's daughter met the Miss Barcrofts at Otley. When her father
retired from practice in the 1790s, she and her sister removed with him to the borders. Charlotte, however, continued to regret the loss of ‘the amiable ladies at Manor House’, filling her letters with queries about the West Riding social scene. MS: five letters LRO, DDB/72/1489–91, 1495, 1499 (MS span: 1795–1801).