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Document number: 4687
Date: 02 Aug 1875
Postmark: Derby 2 Aug 1875
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: MUNDY Harriot Georgiana, née Frampton
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: Acc 22850 (envelope)
Last updated: 12th November 2012

August 2.

My dear Henry

I am in a tremendous state of agitation in consequence of a passage in a letter from Mr Maskelyne <1> apropos to our great Aunt Lady Harriet Acland! <2>– I have been asking him, thorough his wife <3>– to verify for me the account of her campaigne as given by General Burgoyne– <4> and after nearly two years & repeated reminders he has at length found out that this account or statement was “laid before the House of Commons” by General Burgoyne–.

Mr Maskelyne then proceeds to add as follows–.

“You know, of course, that Lady Harriot herself wrote an account of her Adventures, and after her Husband’s death in a duel, (fought for the honour of American courage!) she married the Revnd Mr Brudenell, who aided her in her passage”. ( ! ! ! !)

1st Where is the account written by our poor aunt? Did you ever hear of it or see it?–

2nd Col. Acland was not killed in a Duel– He died 1778 but of an illness– I have heard what but now forget. I know there was a Duel with somebody but feel sure it was not fatal– Moreover I have just looked in the Baronetage – which would have named if such had been the case – but it says “died 1778”. <5>

3ly Surely our Great Aunt never married again– I must have heard of this – and in the family Pedigree drawn up by my mother no such second marriage is given. I cannot think what authority Mr Maskelyne can have for all these assertions–

Please tell me anything you know or may have heard on the subject– There is nobody else excepting Charlotte Traherne <6> who can remember any thing about it– I hope to send the Irises and Clematis lanuginosa “Var” – very soon – Noel & Emily <7> return at the end of the week– They were to leave Paris today. Our roses are still very good indeed–

With love to Constance

Yr Affte & perturbed Cousiness
H G Mundy

[envelope, blindtamped on flap "Markeaton Hall,Derby":]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts


Notes:

1. Nevil Story-Maskelyne (1823–1911), photographer, politician & scientist.

2. Lady Harriot Acland (1750-1815), Christiana Henrietta Caroline, née Fox Strangways, married John Dyke Acland (1746-1778), soldier and MP. Acland was wounded and captured by the Americans at the battle of Bemis Heights. Lady Acland went through the American lines to her wounded husband under cover of a letter from General Burgoyne and was admired by the American soldiers for her bravery and devotion. In the small party that went with her was Rev Edward Brudenell (d 1805), the Chaplain to General Burgoyne’s staff. The story that he later married her is an elaboration; he married an heiress from Northumberland.

3. Thereza Mary Maskelyne, née Llewelyn (1834–1926), daughter of Emma and John Dillwyn Llewelyn, m 29 June 1858, Nevil Story-Maskelyne.

4. Gen John Burgoyne (1723-1792); he surrendered at Saratoga.

5. The duel was over someone who spoke ill of American soldiers and Col. Acland died from a cold arising from the duel, not from wounds.

6. Charlotte Louisa 'Charry' Traherne, née Talbot (1800–1880), WHFT’s cousin.

7. Francis Noel Mundy (1833-1903), WHFT's nephew, and his wife, Emily Maria Georgiana, née Cavendish (1845-1929).

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