The Gentleman's Daughter (71 page)

J. Hartley
, Colne, Lancashire

This correspondent aided the Miss Barcrofts in the procurement of lodgings in the Colne area when they left Otley. He was certainly an able writer and businessman in the loosest sense. He may have been the superior cotton-manufacturer John Hartley of Colne or the gentleman-merchant Joseph Hartley of Colne, both of whom appear in local parish registers.

MS: single letter LRO, DDB/72/1494. See also Spencer,
Baptism Register 1790–1812
(MS span: 1800).

Thomas Johnson
, Eshton, Gargrave, Yorkshire

His son was named as executor to the Miss Barcrofts' estates along with Edward Parker of Selby and Captain Thomas Parker of Alkincoats. By his associations, he is believed to have been a gentleman.

MS: single letter LRO, DDB/72/1418 (MS span: 1822).

Anna Kendall
, Leathley, Yorkshire

This woman befriended the unmarried Barcroft sisters during their residence at Otley. Her status is unknown.

MS: single letter LRO, DDB/72/1485 (MS span: 1784).

Mr E. King and Mrs Henrietta King
, Leyland/Chorley, Lancashire The one surviving letter from this woman was addressed from holiday accommodation, in Sydenham, London, but she was almost certainly a Lancashire resident. Her husband did not want occupation, but whether his labours were commercial or professional is not stated. The husband's letter announces her death and relates his attempts to re-establish a smooth-running household. MS: two letters LRO, DDB/72/1504 and 1492 (MS span: 1786–96).

D. Lang
, London

An ardent friend of Miss Martha Barcroft. Her social background cannot be ascertained.

MS: single letter to Martha Barcroft LRO, DDB/72/1407 (MS span: 1785).

Edward Parker
, Selby, Yorkshire (1786–1865)

Second son of Thomas Parker of Alkincoats. He practised as a solicitor in Selby and lived there with his wife, Ellen, until 1832, when he inherited Alkincoats and Browsholme through his elder childless brother Captain Thomas Parker. His four surviving sons all took up a profession; one became a barrister, one a solicitor, one an infantry officer and one a clergyman. Meanwhile, of his three surviving daughters, one remained a spinster, one married an infantry officer and one a Colne gentleman.

MS: six letters LRO, DDB/72/1199, 1203, 1375, 1419, 1509, 1532. See also LRO, DDB/71/4 (1803), Apprenticeship to Richard Swallow of Selby. In addition, ten letters survive written by Edward's sister Eliza Parker to their father Thomas Parker of Alkincoats and Newton, see below (MS span: 1823–26).

Ellen Parker
(née Barcroft), Selby, Yorkshire (
c.
1794–1866)

Daughter of Eleanor Duffy and Captain Ambrose Barcroft. After the death of her father in 1795, Ellen was raised by her aunts, the Miss Barcrofts. She attended school at Avenham, Preston, in the 1800s. In 1816 she married Edward Parker (see above, p. 366) and set up home in Selby. She bore eleven children, of whom seven survived: Ambrose, Thomas-Goulbourne, Edward, Robert, Elizabeth, Ellen and Barbara.

MS: forty letters LRO, DDB/72/1191–8, 1200–2, 1204–9, 1365–74, 1376–80, 1415, 1505–8, 1527–9. It also appears that Ellen wrote the journal LRO, DDB/64/14 (
c.
1808), whose authoress is styled simply ‘Miss Barcroft’ (MS span: 1808–25).

Thomas and Ambrose Parker
, Selby, Yorkshire

Children of the solicitor above, these were great-nephews of the Miss Barcrofts. MS: LRO, DDB/72/1420, 1530–31 (MS span: 1823–6).

Revd Samuel Payne
, Weymouth, Dorset

Rector of Weymouth, writing an account of Ambrose Barcroft's funeral.

MS: single letter to ‘Miss Barcroft’ LRO, DDB/61/42 (MS span: 1795).

Mr B. Reynolds
, London

Husband of Elizabeth Reynolds (née Barcroft), he wrote to his sisters-in-law from Newington, London. Because of his considerable leisure and prosperity, combined with an absence of any mention of professional commitments, he is assumed to have been a gentleman.

MS: letters LRO, DDB/72/1413 (MS span: 1807).

Mrs D. Ridsdale
(née Wiglesworth) Park Gate, Leeds, Yorkshire

The sister of Barbara Wiglesworth. When the Miss Barcrofts moved back to Lancashire, Mrs Ridsdale felt bitterly ‘the loss of so many social hours and friendship dish of chat’. Although Mrs Ridsdale was gentle by birth, her husband was a scion of the mercantile family of Ridsdale. Ridsdale and Company of Leeds were registered in national directories, see
UBD
,
III
, p. 540. Interestingly, this woman also appears in the Dawson–Greene network. However, the letters preserved in the Dawson–Greene collection record a later period after her husband's Leeds business had failed (
c.
1813), when they had retired to a small farm in Winsley near Ripley loaned by Wiglesworth kin.

MS: two letters to the Barcrofts LRO, DDB/72/1362, 1497 (MS span: 1800–5).

Surgeon-Lieutenant W. E. Sharpnell
, Weymouth, Dorset

Fellow-officer of the late Ambrose Barcroft.

MS: twelve letters LRO, DDB/61/41, 43–53 (MS span: 1795–6).

Mr John Tennant Esq.
, Chapelhouse, Leeds, Yorkshire

John Tennant was distantly related to the Miss Barcrofts by marriage. His sister, a Miss Jane Tennant of Grassington, Yorkshire, married the elderly John Barcroft of Clitheroe Castle in 1774, thereby becoming stepmother to the Miss Barcrofts. Mr Tennant was almost certainly a merchant, a John Tennant, tea-man, was registered in the
UBD
,
III
, p. 540.

MS: single letter LRO, DDB/72/1409. See also the Barcroft–Tennant marriage settlement, LRO, DDB/62/211, to which John Tennant was a signatory, guaranteeing his sister an annuity of thirty pounds per annum. (MS span: 1789).

Miss Barbara Wiglesworth
of Townhead, Yorkshire

Almost certainly the daughter of James (1725–1807) and Barbara Wiglesworth (1733–1802), a couple who were particularly close to the Parkers of Browsholme. Barbara Wiglesworth was named a witness to the will of Edward Parker of Browsholme in January 1790, while James Wiglesworth was named trustee. Miss Barbara Wiglesworth married a Mr Bromley of Leeds,
c.
1800. While betrothed, she wrote of the reduced circumstances and quiet social life she envisaged after marriage, which suggests that Bromley was a struggling businessman or impoverished professional. Unfortunately, he fails to surface in any local directories.

MS: four letters LRO, DDB/72/1408, 1493, 1496, 1498 (MS span: 1797–1800).

Miss Ellen Wilson
, Otley, Yorkshire

This gentlewoman was the Miss Barcrofts' first cousin. She was the daughter of Martha Barcroft of Foulridge (d. 1819) and Matthew Wilson of Manor House, Otley (d. 1826), only son of Revd Roger Wilson (1711–89), the curate of Colne parish church. Matthew Wilson was a captain in the 4th Royal Lancashire Militia, and served as a Deputy-Lieutenant for both Lancashire and Yorkshire. The Wilsons were a substantial family, related by marriage to the Butlers of Kirkland Hall, Lancashire, the Tennants of Chapelhouse, Yorkshire, and the Wiglesworths of Townhead, Yorkshire.

MS: single letter to Barbara Barcroft, LRO, DDB/72/1381 (MS span: 1826)

Miss Martha Wilson
, Otley, Yorkshire

Sister to Ellen Wilson and a cousin to Miss Barcrofts. Martha and Ellen Wilson jointly executed their father's will of 1815, by which the unmarried sisters inherited substantial real estate in Otley, Burley, and Newall with Clifton, Yorkshire. MS: two letters to Martha Barcroft LRO, DDB/72/1414, 1416. See also LRO, DDB/70/9, Will of Matthew Wilson of Otley (MS span: 1812).

Correspondents of Eliza Whitaker (1790–1860) and Charles Whitaker (1790–1843) of Roefield, Clitheroe, and later Simonstone Hall, Padiham, Lancashire.

Elizabeth Addison
(?née Aspinall), Lodge Lane, Liverpool, Lancashire Almost certainly the wife of merchant Richard Addison of 14 Lodge Lane, Toxteth Park, Liverpool, and later 19 Nile Street. Listed in Liverpool directories for 1805, 1823 and 1825. The Addisons made bulk purchases of provisions (wine and sugar) on behalf of the Whitaker's direct from the ships. They were probably related to the Addison family of Preston. Eliza Parker of Alkincoats recorded attending a ‘hop’ given by the Addisons in the 1814 Preston season. John Addison Esq., 8 Winckley St, was registered as a notable inhabitant of Preston in 1824.

MS: seven letters LRO, DDWh/4/40, 49, 56, 64, 72, 89, 124 (MS span: 1814).

Alice Ainsworth
, Moss Bank, Bolton, Lancashire

By 1824 this correspondent was registered in Baines's Directory as a notable inhabitant of Preston, probably widowed, living at 68 Fishergate. She had married into a Bolton family of gentleman farmers. The Ainsworths were known to the children of Thomas and Betty Parker of Alkincoats and Newton.

MS: two letters LRO, DDWh/4/78, 120 (MS span: 1816).

N. Aspinall
, Liverpool, Lanashire

Probably a relative of Nicholas Aspinall of Liverpool, younger son of John Aspinall Esq. of Standen Hall, Clitheroe.

MS: single letter LRO, DDWh/4/37 (MS span: 1814).

Mrs AB
, Preston, Lancashire

A young matron who wrote of her babies and book society, though sadly mentioned nothing of her husband or her income.

MS: single letter LRO, DDWh/4/74 (MS span: 1814).

N. Bishop
, Roby, near Liverpool, Lancashire

Because this woman wrote of estate management and inhabited the genteel residence of Roby Hall, it is assumed that she belonged to the lesser gentry.

MS: single letter LRO, DDWh/4/23 (MS span: 1812).

Mrs D. Bowyer
, Bedford Row, London

Little is known of this London correspondent, but that she was a friend of Eliza Whitaker's aunt, Anne Eliza Robbins. After Robert Robbins's sudden death, Mrs Bowyer supervised the Robbins children, while their mother was prostrate with grief. Mr Bowyer's profession is not revealed, though it seems likely that he was a lawyer, like Robert Robbins. In any case, the families were on warm terms and their children were playmates, as an affectionate note to the ‘dunce’ Percy Robbins from his ‘dear little sweetheart’ Ann Bowyer confirms.

MS: single letter LRO, DDWh/4/68. Ann Bowyer's letter is LRO, DDWh/4/129 (MS span: 1814).

Mrs E. Daunsey
, Bashall Lodge, Lancashire

Although this woman wrote from her sister's home in Lancashire, she had her own house in London. Like her sister Mrs Johnson, Mrs Daunsey was a widow. She
was clearly on friendly terms with east Lancashire families such as the Whitakers and St Clares, but unfortunately, her late husband's occupation is unknown. MS: three letters LRO, DDWh/4/47, 63, 133 (MS span: 1814).

S. Greaves
, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London

Another friend of Anne Elizabeth Robbins, perhaps like Ann, the wife of a lawyer. She was closely involved in the drama surrounding Robert Robbins's premature death in 1814. Her own husband's occupation is unknown.

MS: single letter LRO, DDWh/4/42 (MS span: 1814).

C. Harrison
, ‘Penrose’, Lancashire

Since this woman wrote of relaying servants and messages, she was undoubtedly a Lancashire neighbour of the Whitakers. She was obviously an employer, though further information about her status cannot be found.

MS: single letter LRO, DDWh/4/93 (MS span: 1817).

Alice Horrocks
, Shenstone, Worcestershire (b. 1799)

Fifth daughter of Samuel and Alice Horrocks. At the time of writing she was unmarried, although she subsequently wed the Revd James Streynsham, rector and canon of Chorley, rural dean. They were married at the parish church of St John's, Preston, in 1825 by the bridegroom's uncle Revd Robert Masters. At her father's death in 1842 she inherited eight hundred pounds cash and, with her husband, ten thousand pounds in trust.

MS: single letter LRO, DDWh/4/84 (MS span: 1816).

Jane Horrocks
, Lark Hill, Preston, Lancashire (b. 1795)

Third daughter of Samuel and Alice Horrocks. At the time of writing she was unmarried. Her first husband was Thomas Monkhouse, who died in 1825, leaving one daughter Mary Elizabeth (b. 1822); she married secondly Paris Dick MD.

MS: two letters LRO, DDWh/4/46, 94 (MS span: 1814).

John and Jane Horrocks
, Edgeworth, Lancashire

Grandparents of Eliza Whitaker, this couple began their married life as rather humble Quakers.

MS: single letter LRO, DDWh/4/41 (MS span: 1814).

Mary Horrocks
, Lark Hill, Preston, Lancashire (b. 1798)

Fourth daughter of Samuel and Alice Horrocks. She moved briefly in the Lakes circle of Samuel Coleridge, Sarah Hutchinson et al., among whom she was known as ‘the daisy’. She married Revd William Birkett, rector of Great Hasely, Oxfordshire, in 1824. At her father's death in 1842 she inherited eight hundred pounds cash and, with her husband, ten thousand pounds in trust.

MS: single letter LRO, DDWh/4/90 (MS span: 1816).

Samuel Horrocks
, Lark Hill, Preston, Lancashire (1766–1842)

Eliza Whitaker's father also wrote from London, when attending parliament and doing business at the Bread Street office.

MS: seven letters LRO, DDWh/4/24, 26, 35, 48, 50, 80, 86 (MS span: 1812–16).

Sam Horrocks
, Bread Street, London (1797–1846)

The Horrocks heir Sam attended preparatory school in Parsons Green and Eton, and then went into the London end of the business, becoming a junior partner. In 1827 he married Eliza Miller, the daughter of his father's business partner Thomas Miller. The newlyweds' fashionable address was 9 Winckley Square, Preston. From 1827 Sam was a full partner in the firm; in 1839 he was appointed deputy lieutenant of Lancashire; in 1842 he became Preston Guild major and served as the head of Horrocks and Co., 1842–6. At his father's death, he inherited the Lark Hill estate on trust for his lifetime. He had no legitimate offspring, though his will refers to ‘his natural daughter’ Mary Standing, for whom he ordered an investment of five hundred pounds. Most of the letters used in the book were written when Sam was still a rather hypochondriacal bachelor, undergoing his initiation in business at the London office. In this period, he fulfilled his sisters' fashionable commissions and communicated news of their London kin. Two later letters were written from Lancashire when Sam was enjoying the grouse shooting.