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Document number: 00448
Date: Tue 22 Nov 1842 or 1853
Dating: year from calendar
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: STRANGWAYS William Thomas Horner Fox
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Last updated: 6th July 2010

Abbotsbury <1>
Tuesday 22 Novr

My dear Henry

As Harry <2> & I are going to London together on Monday we recommend you to come straight to Abbotsbury on Friday – otherwise I shall not be able to do the honours Harry is alone at Melbury <3> his head quarters are here just now – & Stavordale <4> & Caroline <5> also – he goes to town to fetch Theresa <6> & will be back in about a week so you can pay a visit to Melbury after his return if you are not in a great hurry to get to Devonshire.

I think this can make so little difference in your plans that I shall expect you here Friday Evg – i.e. to dinner if pos I have communicated with Harry on the subj – he returns from Melbury today

Yr Affte
W F S

Ela <7> travels as an Abbess from Abbey to Abbey –

Notes:

1. Abbotsbury, Dorset: home of William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways.

2. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858).

3. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there.

4. Possibly Stephen Fox Strangways, Lord Stavordale (1817-1848).

5. Lady Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding (1808-1881); WHFT's half-sister.

6. Theresa Anna Maria Digby, née Fox Strangways (1814–1874), WHFT’s cousin.

7. Ela Theresa Talbot (25 Apr 1835 - 25 Apr 1893), WHFT's 1st daughter. The historical reference is to Ela (d. 1261), Countess of Salisbury, who founded the abbey of Lacock in 1232.