The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Jane Holman to Mary Hamilton

Holman (née Hamilton), Jane

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Mrs Jane Holman née Hamilton to Mary Hamilton. The letter relates to the death of Jane's mother, Rachel Hamilton, and her concerns for her father. Frederick Hamilton had written earlier in the month that his wife was suffering 'from a confirmed asthma, which baffled medicine' and that on the advice of her physician they had travelled to Dawlish in Devonshire on account of the pure air. Her death was ascribed to 'water upon the chest'. Jane Holman has written to her father to ask if she may visit him but is unsure whether he will let her. She notes that she has been ill herself for some time and had been staying with Mrs Mann, who has been nursing her.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The letter also provides more general news. Lady E.B. [Lady Emily Best, née Stratford, married Thomas Best] and her husband are reported as being in economic distress, partly because of 'his Barbados receipts'. She also writes of a 'young man' [her brother Robert] who has written to her since her return to London, suggesting he visit her, and that if she does not go to Bath she will have to receive him. Jane Holman complains that it has taken eleven days for her to receive Mary Hamilton's letter and blames 'those vile cross-posts'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at 35 Aldgate High Street [London].</p>