Monday
April 19th
My dear Henry
I am much obliged to Lady Elisabeth <1> for her kind note & from it I conceive this will find you in Sackville Street. <2>
I am afraid you will think I am going to make you a very troublesome request but if you have any objections of course you will decline
I am sure you will be surprised to hear that I am going to be married & I should be very much obliged to you if you would accept the office of Trustee to the Settlement together with my brother Arthur <3> & Mr Ritchie. The gentleman whom I am going to marry is Mr Thackeray <4> a Clergyman & brother to my late Sister in law Mrs John Shakespear
Will you let me have your answer by return of post directed to me No 29 Southampton Row Russell Sqr & believe me
Yr affete cousin
M. A. Shakespeare
Notes:
1. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
2. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.
3. Arthur Shakespear (1789–1845).
4. Francis Thackeray (1793–1842), author.