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Document number: 01587
Date: 29 Aug 1827
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: THACKERAY Mary Ann, née Shakespear
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA27-15
Last updated: 11th August 2010

August 29th
Boxwell Court
Wotton Under Edge
Gloucestershire

My dear Henry

I have today received a letter from Mr Bathurst<1> the Executor of my Aunt Davenport,<2> stating that Mr Awdry <3> had applied to him for a painted glass window which she left to be placed in Lacock Church.<4> Mr Bathurst cannot tell who received it when the rest of her furniture was sold - I have never seen it since her death & am sorry to say I can give no information respecting it. I am glad to hear you are intending to reside at Lacock as our present abode is within 18 miles of Chippenham <5> I flatter myself you may perhaps come this way & I am sure Arthur <6> will be most happy to see either yourself or Lady Elisabeth & your Sisters <7> I believe you are not a Sportsman or the Game which abounds here might perhaps tempt you.

Yrs very sincerely
M.A. Shakespear

Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts

Notes:

1. Rt Hon Charles Bragge Bathurst (1752-1831), politician; the other executor was Rev Dr John Hunt (1`749-1817), incumbent of the abbey church of St Mary's Margam, Glamorgan, an old friend of Thomas Mansel Talbot.

2. Barbara Davenport (1754-1812).

3. Probably William Henry Awdry (1778-1847), solicitor, Chippenham.

4. St Cyriac's, Lacock. The painted glass was located, but is not mounted in the church - see Doc. No: 01629.

5. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.

6. Arthur Shakespear (1789-1845), Mary Anne's brother.

7. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773-1846), WHFT's mother; Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808-1881); WHFT's half-sister, and Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810-1851), WHFT's half-sister.