The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Lady Catherine Herries (née Foote) to Mary Hamilton

Herries (née Foote), Catherine

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Lady Catherine Herries to Mary Hamilton, relating to the death of Herries's brother and to Hamilton's relations.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Lady Herries writes of the death of her brother [Robert Foote] and on her sister-in-law's sorrow. It is unclear as yet as to how much her sister-in-law can expect, though she does not believe it will be much. Her other brother, Edward Foote, is one of the Executors so they should know further soon. Herries describes her brother as 'the friends of my whole life'. He was her 'advisor' and 'comforter' and someone she 'looked up to almost as to a superior Being'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The letter also contains general news of family and friends and on Hamilton's and on her own health. Hamilton's uncle and aunt, Frederick and Rachel Hamilton (see <a target='_blank' class='externalLink uom-purple' href='https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/manchesteruniversity/data/gb133-ham/ham/1/4/1/1'>HAM/1/4/1</a> and <a target='_blank' class='externalLink uom-purple' href='https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/manchesteruniversity/data/gb133-ham/ham/1/4/3'>HAM/1/4/2</a>) have been in Cheltenham for some time. She reports that 'every body called on them', so they felt that Herries and her husband were obliged to. Even though they behaved 'ill' towards Hamilton and her husband, 'he was still your uncle'. She continues to note that they seemed pleased with her visit and often send 'frequently to know how I did'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries will send this letter by Hamilton's friend, Lady Lloyd [see the address sheet]. Herries does not know much of Lady Lloyd but she seems an 'amiable' woman. Herries likes the Worsleys and asks Hamilton to remember her to them. She continues on her 'invaluable servant', who has assured her last night that she will never leave 'whilst I live!'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Herries ends her letter noting that, if she can, she will send Hamilton an epitaph written by her nephew on his father [Herries's brother who has just died].</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Cheltenham.</p>