Melbury ^<1>
10 Sep^t 1859

My dear Henry

I hardly know how to prepare you for the very sad intelligence I have to give you – in the sudden death of my poor Brother John ^<2> – which took place on Thursday last at Lord Nelson’s ^<3> – where he was dining – After dinner he was suddenly seized with a fit which quickly proved to be apoplexy – & tho’ he spoke & was conscious for some short time he gradually sank into a lethargy till all was over.

Apparently he suffered no pain – but lingered in a state of unconsciousness for a day & a night this most unexpected & grievous calamity has thrown us into very great affliction. I was sent for by telegraph but arrived too late, eve if there had been any sign of recognition but poor John never rallied & went off apparently without pain.

I cannot enter into the particulars of the many ways in which I already feel & shall feel his loss I am occupied more with thinking of the two nice children ^<4> just at the age to suffer from – & partly to feel his loss – M^r E. Marjoribanks ^<5> was there & his sister & brother in law M^r & M^rs Grosett^<6> – who will be very useful. Nothing could exceed the kindness of Lord Nelson – which was yet more enhanced by the fact of some distressing circumstances in his family occurring at the same time.

This will not find you at Lacock I suppose, or I would ask if you would attend the funeral next Friday at Farley ^<7>

Y^r aff^e
Uncle W^m

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Notes:

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

2. John George Charles Fox Strangways (1803–1859), MP.

3. Thomas Belton, 2^nd Earl Nelson, nephew of Horatio Nelson.

4. Maria Georgiana Julia (b. 1846) and Henry Edward (b. 1847).

5. Edward Marjoribanks, later Baron Tweedmouth, father-in-law of John Strangways.

6. John Rock Grosett (1783-1866), MP; Jamaican Parliament; occupant of Lacock Abbey until summer 1827.

7. The funeral of WHFT's uncle, John George Charles Fox Strangways (1803- 8 Sep 1859), MP. Brickworth House, in Farley Parish, Wiltshire, between Salisbury and Southampton, was owned by Lord Nelson. Less than a year later, his widow, Lady Amelia, née Marjoribanks (d. 1886), had been staying in London. In preparation for her return, the fireplaces were lit, and on the evening of 27 May 1860 a fire broke out. In spite of the efforts of the neighbors, the fire, fanned by high winds, destroyed nearly all of the stately home and its contents, except for the servant's quarters. Only some furniture was saved from the conflagration.