Penllergare
Jany 30 1861
My dear Cousin Henry
We see so little of you, that I am concerned to think the marriage of my eldest son, <1> should be a matter, in which I must hope for your good wishes, without your knowing him – altho’ it is to a kind of cousin he is soon to be united – a relation of yours I think, as well as mine, Miss Beach of Williamstrip Park <2> eldest daughter of the late, & sister of the present, Sir Michael Beach <3> & grand daughter of the old Mr Beach <4> whom I think you must remember formerly at Penrice. <5>
It is a match that gives us great satisfaction in every way – as she has a charming Mother <6> – and they have had excellent opportunities of knowing each other.
When you write pray tell me about your dear Matilda. <7> I was grieved to hear of her severe illness some time ago. My sister Mary <8> is an excellent correspondant [sic] and keeps me among others, au fait, with regard to the state of affairs among our relations, which keeps up a family feeling – Are your other daughters now in Scotland? When will you bring them all here!!! We go to London – next week for a week – When I shall have the pleasure of seeing my Thereza & her dear little girl <9>–
Believe me with kind regards to all your family your affte cousin
Emma Llewelyn
Notes:
1. Sir John Talbot Dillwyn Llewelyn (1836–1927).
2. Caroline Julia Hicks-Beach (d. 1917) of Williamstrip, an estate in East Gloucestershire.
3. Sir Michael Edward Hicks Beach, 9th Baronet, 1st Earl St. Aldwyn Of Coln, Viscount Quenington Of Quenington, Viscount St. Aldwyn Of Coln (1837–1916), politician.
4. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, 8th Baronet.
5. Penrice Castle and Penrice House, Gower, Glamorgan, 10 mi SW of Swansea: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.
6. Lady Harriet Vittoria Hicks-Beach, née Stratton (1814–1900).
7. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
8. Mary Thereza Talbot (1795–1861), WHFT’s cousin.
9. Thereza Mary Story-Maskelyne, née Dillwyn Llewelyn (1834–1926), photographer, and her first daughter Margaret Story-Maskelyne.