Coedriglan
Feby 8th
My dear Henry
When I last wrote to you I little thought more sorrow was close at hand & now I have to communicate the distress poor Charlotte <1> is in, by having lost her kind partner by an apoplectic seizure! dear Mr Traherne’s <2> health had been declining for some time and he was feeble on his legs but, he had been apparently better for the last week & went out for a drive when it was fine: he was seized with sickness on Sunday and breathed his last on Monday morning! no suffering at all they tell me & poor Charlotte could hardly believe he had ceased to breathe for hours! she bears up wonderfully and is indeed a pattern –
Edward Nicholl <3> came to Penrice <4> to fetch me by her wish & I shall remain here to be of use. Chrisr <5> came too but is now in Town on business – but Jane is here & Christiana <6> at present.–
Ever your affate coz
Mary
Notes:
1. Charlotte Louisa 'Charry' Traherne, née Talbot (1800–1880), WHFT’s cousin.
2. Rev John Montgomerie Traherne (1788–1860), JP & author.
3. Probably Rev Edward Powell Nicholl (1831–1902), Vicar of Lacock from 1864 until his resignation in 1870; photographer.
4. Penrice Castle and Penrice House, Gower, Glamorgan, 10 mi SW of Swansea: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.
5. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
6. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874) and Christiana Judy Nicholl, of Merthyr Mawr.