The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Frederick Hamilton to John Dickenson

Hamilton, Frederick

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Rev. Frederick Hamilton to John Dickenson. The letter relates to Stanton, which Frederick finds very agreeable, with good roads, fine countryside and respectable neighbours. It also relates to family matters. Robert Hamilton's regiment is to quit quarters at Croydon to go to Windsor, where they will do foot duty. Robert expects the regiment to go abroad, which Frederick Hamilton thinks unlikely 'unless we shou[l]d be engaged in a Continental War, which God forbid. Such an event wou[l]d be very unfortunate for Robert who has no Constitution or bodily strength to undergo great hardships, nor can I boast much of his discretion'. Robert joined the regiment 'contrary to [Frederick's] own judgement'. If it were not for him being in the regiment, Frederick notes that he does not know what his son would be fit for, 'as he was very ignorant, speaking French tolerably & German a little being his whole acquired knowledge'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The letter continues with general family news. The Hamiltons have secured a house in Bath for the Winter next to the New Rooms, and Frederick hopes to follow his wife and daughter there soon. He has sold his house in Oxford Street to a Mr Campbell, who has also bought the contiguous house and intends to merge the houses.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Stanton [Suffolk].</p>