My dear Henry
The broach I have sent, I remember from my earliest Childhood & always heard it was a gift from your Father & I think it was made of Gibraltar Diamond he brought home.<1> I have sent it for dear Constance <2> I know how much she loved my own dear Mother <3> & I hope she will wear & value what was her’s. I have sent you a paper knife a relic of the roof of York Minster when the great fire <4> took place many were made no doubt but this one from her hand writing being on it & from having been frequently used by one you so much loved I feel sure you will like to possess it as well as the quartz Seal – the Olive Wood blotting book was a gift of your dear Mother’s and may be given to Ela <5> if you please (I have several Gifts of my dear Aunt Lily <6> to myself,) I shall add one or two little trifles for Rosamond & Matilda <7> to show them I have not forgotten them –
I remain your affte
Coz Mary
Notes:
1. William Davenport Talbot (1764–1800), WHFT's father, who served in the army in Gibraltar. Mary was clearing house after the February death of her mother, Lady Mary Lucy Cole, née Strangways, first m. Talbot (1776–1855), WHFT’s aunt - see Doc. No: 00330.
2. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
3. Lady Mary Lucy Cole, née Strangways, first m. Talbot (1776–1855), WHFT’s aunt.
4. The great fire of 1829.
5. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
6. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
7. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter and Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.