Letters from Thomas Tunstall to Francis Turville of Bosworth Hall

To F.F. Turvile Esq. Dole Bank 7^th Sep 1825

Bosworth Hall

Welford

Northamptonshire

My dear Cousin,

I beg leave to return you my most grateful thanks for your very kind and truly affectionate letter, and it affords me the greatest pleasure in stating that your bounty towards the education of my dear Maryanna, is a source of great consolation to my wife and myself and we are now making arrangements for sending her to Spetisbury, as soon as possible, where we have had the offer of taking our children at a reduced pension, from a respect the house bears to the family, having had two of my Aunts, nuns there, and the convent since its establishment at Louvain, never without a Tunstall, until within these three years. Reverend Mother has frequently solicited our sending our little girls there, and as soon as I can make it convenient I shall send her, the distance being great will cause the journey to be expensive.

You may rest assured that every attention and care are paid to my dear Mother by myself and my wife, who have always considered it our duty to do every thing in our power for her comfort, but she, unfortunately, forms dislikes towards those with whom she lives, and has done so for many years; fancying them always her enemies, who were her best friends; and whatever is done for her, she seems indifferent to, or dissatified with.

I feel greatly obliged by the interest you have taken, and do take, for the welfare of my family. I am continuing to use every exertion in my power to procure a situation, and hope at length to be successful.

My dear Mother desires her best love to you. She often speaks of, and remembers you, with great affection, she frequently enquires after the different members of your family. My wife unites me in best regards to yourself and Miss Turvile and Mr. George who I presume is with you.

With every sentiment of regard and affection I subscribe myself

Your obliged and grateful Cousin

Thomas Tunstall

To F.F.Turvile Esq. Liverpool 30^th Dec 1826

Bosworth Hall Welford

Northamptonshire

My dear Cousin,

Owing to my removal from Dole Bank to this place about a week ago, your letter of the 16^th inst., through various mistakes, did not reach me until this morning, which must be my apology for your not hearing from me sooner; the melancholy intelligence it contains is most afflicting; and be assured, both myself and my wife sincerely condole with you and your amiable family in the loss you have sustained in your truly beloved son Edward; the personal acquaintance we had with our dear deceased relative, sufficiently convinced us of the amiability of his Manners and Character; and we do not doubt, from what you have said of him, that his virtuous disposition was equally admirable: under such circumstances, I trust, my dear Cousin, you have every motive for Consolation. We shall not fail to offer up our prayers for the dear deceased, and procure for him the same help from our friends. We flatter ourselves that he is removed to greater happiness, the enjoyment of eternal bliss, more desirable than all the fleeting pleasures of a miserable world.

I am truly happy to hear you derive so much satisfaction in the choice your excellent son George has made, and flatter myself it will prove a great source of comfort to you. I rejoice at the happy event, on his account, as well as yours. We beg to present our best wishes and congratulations to him and his bride and to assure him of our prayers for his welfare and happiness.

I must now inform you that my present object in coming to this place, is to procure some situation for the support of my family, in which, I have, hitherto, been unable to succeed, owing probably, in some measure, to our sequestered residence at Dole Bank. Previously to leaving Yorkshire, I placed my dear Mother with the Revd. Mr.Platt at Thornton, until I could procure a permanent situation, where she has every care and attention paid to her: she at present enjoys good health, but daily losing her faculties more and more: I was on the point of writing to you this day to inform you of these circumstances and to beg the favour of you to have the money due to my Mother addressed to the Revd. James Platt, Thornton, Ripley, Yorkshire – and he will acknowledge the receipts.

The accounts I receive from my dear son Michael, at Ushaw College, are most satisfactory; he is now in Poetry and maintains excellent places in his School; notwithstanding he has to contend with boys many years older than himself he is second in Latin and first in Greek. We heard about a month ago from Spetisbury and our dear Girls are quite happy, and improving daily in their studies; they give great satisfaction to the Community. Our youngest daughter Frances is with us.

My wife unites me in best and most affectionate regards to yourself and amiable family and with our joint wishes of every happiness the season can bring

I remain With the greatest regards and esteem

My dear Cousin

Your most sincere and Affectionate Kinsman

Thomas Tunstall

To Francis F. Turvile Esq. Windsor Street, Toxteth Park

Bosworth Hall Liverpool 21^st Octob 1829

Welford, Northamptonshire

My dear Cousin,

I am happy in this opportunity of writing to you, as I have long been anxious to hear an account of your health, and that of your amiable family: I always feel sensible of the high obligations I am under to you for your great kindness, and attention at all times, but, particularly for the great benefit you have conferred upon my eldest daughter, Maryanna, and it is in consequence of a letter I have just received from the Nuns at Spetisbury, informing me they had not received, as usual, from Messrs. Wright & Co. the half year’s payment due last Midsummer, that I now address you. I have replied to them stating I had not heard from you on the subject and, that I felt confident you would not withdraw your bounty without giving either them or myself notice of your intention of doing so; and, that the not receiving of the money as usual, I presumed, had arisen either in consequence of your absence from home at that period, or, there might have been some omission or mistake, and they would probably receive the whole year’s amount at Christmas. I am happy in stating I have always had good accounts of her conduct and disposition, though she is not considered to have great abilities, yet she has made considerable progress in improvement by attention and assiduity: her health has been very delicate for some time, as she has greatly outgrown her strength (her height she tells me is 5ft.6 inches) her age only 15 – her health is now good. I should very much wish if not imposing too much on your kindness, she could continue another year, which would, probably, conduce more to her improvement than those she has past, on account of her health being reestablished, and, by that time, I hope to be doing something for my family which I have not yet been able to accomplish, not having yet received the money from Chancery for which we have been so long waiting, and, we are now informed that it is expected to be paid in the course of a few months. We are at present in very distressed circumstances in addition to which, my wife was for 12 months in a very bad state of health, which occasioned an increase of our limited expenses, having taken a great deal of medicine. I am happy to state she is now pretty well.

I am certain it will give you great pleasure to hear my dear Mother continues to enjoy her usual good health, having lately received a good account of her from the Revd. Mr.Platt, with whom she appears perfectly happy, but the state of mind is the same as I have formerly described to you. My own health has been generally good with the exception of a violent cough I had in the winter of 1828, which has never entirely left me: the violent effects of coughing have produced a slight rupture, which occasioned much pain and I have lately been obliged to have recourse to medical advice and I am ordered to wear a truss, which has greatly relieved the pain I had so long suffered without knowing the cause which occasioned it.

It will afford me the greatest of pleasure to hear you enjoy good health, as also Mr. George, his Lady and children, and Miss Turvile, with the rest of your family. My son is at present with us, not being able to place him anywhere: it is a great misfortune, as he possesses considerable talents and learning. My wife unites me in most affectionate regards to yourself, Miss Turvile, and each of your family. Believe me to remain, with every sentiment of respect and Esteem, My dear Cousin

Yours very affectionately

Thomas Tunstall

To Francis F. Turvile Esq. Windsor Street, Toxteth Park

Bosworth Hall Liverpool 4^th July 1831

Welford, Northamptonshire

My Dear Cousin,

It was with the greatest pleasure I received your very kind and affectionate letter of the 27^th ult. which was most truly grateful to my feelings, after my apparent neglect in writing as I proposed doing again, soon after my last letter when I hoped to have been able to give you an account of my future prospects and intentions; but, as they remain in the same unsettled state; at present, I can form no idea of what they may be hereafter.

In reply to your letter, I beg to inform you that your Bond for £500 is in the hands of Mr. Francis Bradshaw Taylor, Aldin Grange, near Durham, to whom you will oblige me by paying the amount: I will give you any receipt, or acquittal, you may require for the same.

Many thanks for your kind enquiries after our health. My wife is pretty well at present: for my own part, when I received your letter, I was suffering from a flying Gout, which was attacking me in the stomach, and rendered me unable, earlier, to write to you: I am still very unwell, though not confined to the house. I feel most grateful for the interest you take in the welfare of myself and family. My son has been, since last August, in the capacity of a Classical teacher, in an Academy a few miles distant from this place, which was the only situation I could obtain for him, without being subject to considerable expense in various ways, and, at present, he has scarcely cost me anything – he is extremely learned and clever, possessing considerable talents and abilities; this was the general opinion of the Superiors and Professors of his time at Ushaw College. In his present situation he gives the greatest satisfaction, and his qualifications appear to be highly estimated. I could have wished him some situation, or profession, more advantageous to his future interests: in the law, I think he would advance rapidly; but that is a profession my means are not able to compass: This is the Midsummer Vacation, and we expect him home on Wednesday.

My eldest daughter is coming from Spetisbury; we had intended bringing her home last January, but her health being delicate, we feared the journey too much for her at that cold season of the year; her last half year expires in this month, when her Aunt, Miss Trappes, is to bring her home: Your kindness to her, my dear Cousin, I can never sufficiently acknowledge, or express to you the grateful feelings I must ever entertain for the same. As we think it would be a gratification to you to see the advantages she has reaped, and the pleasure it will afford you, we propose that she, with her Aunt Miss Trappes, should make you a call at Bosworth Hall, on their way hither; provided this little plan of mine should be convenient to you and family; and meet with your approbations.

Our Chancery affairs have at length come to a conclusion; though the money still remains unpaid, on account of some necessary arrangements to be made by my wife, which will be got through, as speedily as possible, when, it is probable, she will have to go to Town to appear in Court.

We have only our youngest daughter Frances with us, now 13 years of age: we are very anxious to place her at School, but fear yet our being able to spare the necessary expenses for that purpose, though we find they will take her at Spetisbury for £25 per annum, on account of many of the family having been Nuns there: it is now high time she were at some Convent, as there are so many disadvantages attendant upon her going to a day School here, which she did for about 18 months: the Schools are certainly good, but the mixed description of pupils we find very dangerous to morals and manners; on that account, we have not allowed her to go upwards of a year past. Teresa our second daughter, whose education is paid for by her Aunt Miss Trappes, expresses a great desire to become a Nun at Spetisbury, whither she went with her sister, she is only 15, though extremely clever; we are told by the Superiors, she has talents and abilities much superior to her eldest sister, her style of writing evinces it; we have never seen them since Jan 7 1826 which has been a great suffering and sacrifice we have been obliged to make: we console ourselves in the hopes the absence from us has been to their advantage, in receiving so good an education.

I feel truly grieved to learn from your letter your health has been so indifferent for the last three years; but I am much consoled, by observing your Autograph so steady, firm, and perfect, which is truly surprising at your age, and evinces a very strong nerve and I trust good constitution. My daily prayers are offered that you may enjoy every comfort and blessing here and hereafter, which your life has so well merited.

You have not mentioned your dear family in your last letterto each of whom I beg to be most kindly remembered, particularly to Miss Turvile and my Reverend friend Francis – in all of which my wife begs to unite: allow me to assure you of our united best regards, esteem and gratitude and believe me always to remain,

My Dear Cousin,

Yours most affectionately

Thomas Tunstall

To Francis F. Turvile Esq. No.6 Upper Stanhope Street

Bosworth Hall Toxteth Park, Liverpool 28 Nov 1831

Welford

Northamptonshire

My Dear Cousin,

The very kind solicitude you express in wishing to be informed of the state of my dear Maryanna’s health will not allow me longer to delay writing to you, to communicate the pleasing intelligence, that she has, this last week, continued daily to improve; tho’ still unable to move without assistance; her complaints having left her so extremely feeble, but as the appetite has returned, which she is now allowed to indulge without restraint, gives us every consoling hope, that she will soon be able to sit up, and we flatter ourselves, tho’ the recovery will be slow, that she will, hereafter, enjoy good health. This gratifying intelligence would have been earlyer conveyed to Miss Turvile, but my wife has been so much occupied with attending on my dear Maryanna that she has not had any time to spare; tho’ she has every day proposed doing it. The medical attendants attribute her present state of her recovery to good nursing and unremitting attentions of Mamma, & her Aunt Miss Trappes, who has never left her since she came to us, about six weeks since. No medicine is now administered: and, nothing is recommended but nourishing diet and wine, which she takes almost every hour. I am writing this letter in her room, and she begs me, most particularly, to present her affectionate regards to yourself, Miss Turvile, and family; and to express her most grateful thanks for the interest you so kindly take in her regard; she now looks forward with the pleasing hopes of being able to enjoy, so soon as she is quite recovered, the visit you have so kindly wished her to make you. We have just received a letter from our two daughters at Spetisbury; Teresa is perfectly recovered from a violent attack of the Jaundice, which she had after her return from London. Fanny is very well, and is improving very much. Our Son Michael spent Saturday and yesterday with us, he is quite well.

We all unite in kind regards and best Compliments to all your family circle, and are extremely happy to hear that you and each of the family enjoy good health, and, believe me, to remain

My dear Sir

Your Ever Affectionate Cousin

Thomas Tunstall

Maryanna desires particular remembrance to her Godfather

To Francis Fortescue Turvile Esq. 6 Upper Stanhope Street

Bosworth Hall Toxteth Park, Liverpool

Welford February 20^th 1832

Northamptonshire

Redirected to Post Office Cheltenham

My dear Sir,

Your last kind letter deserved an earlier answer than this, but from so great an invalid as you know me to be I hope you have not expected a more prompt reply. I have now great pleasure in writing you my thanks for your very friendly and obliging letter which I was delighted to receive, but at the same time regretted much to find by it that you had been indisposed. I sincerely trust my dear friend that all the unpleasant sensations of which you complain occasioned by a tendency to vertigo have been entirely removed and that you are now enjoying good health. I am indeed very much obliged to you for your repeated kind invitations to Bosworth or Cheltenham which latter place I shall not be able to join you as I have not yet sufficiently recovered my strength to encounter the fatigue of so long a journey. Consequently the pleasure of visiting you must be deferred until your return to Bosworth to which period I look forward with great delight. For the last week or ten days I have been able to walk out for a short time every day when the weather is sufficiently favourable and yesterday for the first time since the commencement of my illness (now near five months ago) I attended High Mass in St Patricks Chapel which is nearly a quarter of a mile distant from the street in which we reside though I made several rests in my way there on a little camp stool. My sister Teresa is returned home from school a fortnight ago and I find it agreeable to have her for a companion having so long been together at Spetisbury. Papa and Mamma desire their kind regards to you and Miss Turvile in which I beg to unite. I suppose Mr. and Mrs. Fortescue have by this time left Bosworth if not I also beg to be very kindly remembered to them. Hoping soon to hear a favourable account of your health. Believe me My dear Sir ever to remain with every sentiment of gratitude

Your affectionate and attached

Marianna Tunstall

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