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 family matters, including the poor health of Mary Hamilton, and Frederick Hamilton's own precarious health, and he refers to his 'great loss'. [Frederick Hamilton's wife, Rachel died early 22nd January 1807, see HAM/1/4/3/18.] He reports that he lives a quiet life, having even given up card parties. His main amusement is trivial reading. Mrs Holman is with him and is herself recovering from a dangerous illness. She had been suffering severe anxiety 'owing to the cruel treatment of her husband [the actor and playwright Joseph George Holman (1764-1817)], whose plan seems to be no less than a total dereliction of her, leaving her without any provision but in entire dependence upon me'. Her conduct towards her husband had been always as it should be. He has assured his daughter that she can depend upon him as long as he lives, and he has also made provision for her after his death by a 'considerable Annuity in Trust out of the reach of her husband'. He writes that she will be in good circumstances provided that she is not persuaded out of this annuity. This has been an expensive undertaking and has left him with little money. The idea of his daughter 'being totally deserted after my decease, & depending upon the benevolence of her relations for her support, presented itself to me in all the horror attending such cruel circumstances'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Bath.</p>