The Mary Hamilton Papers : Copy of letter from Lady Catherine Hamilton (née Barlow) to Mary Hamilton

Hamilton (née Barlow), Catherine, Lady

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>The enclosed letter relates to the coach accident Lady Catherine Hamilton had and has a note on the back of the sheet stating that the letter is to be returned. The horses to Lady and Sir William Hamilton's chaise were left unsupervised while they were in it, and the horses took off. Sir William called for help and the Courier ran to assist them and attempted to stop the horses as they ran down a hill. He caught them on his second attempt and tried to turn them but he failed and was dragged by the horses. Lady Catherine writes that a group of peasants ran from a field and started to help, but instead further frightened the horses which made them veer to the left and the chaise went over a ditch. The horses were eventually stopped but the courier was badly injured. The chaise had driven over his collar bone and breast and he had been kicked in the face by a horse. The Hamiltons had him 'blooded on the spot & then carried into town'. Lady Catherine continues to detail his injuries.</p>