Letters like this one are not easily found. It is written by someone whose style and spellings are guided by their spoken language. Such letters are of interest as social history but also to historical linguists trying to reconstruct past dialect speech forms. I have tried to transcribe accurately but there are a few places where I cannot settle on a reading
As I read it, Mary Barter has been widowed and is obliged to leave a house in Knaresborough which is owned by, or has been inherited by, Thomas Wilbor (variant Willbor) living in one of York’s principal thoroughfares, Coney Street. It may be that money was owed to Wilbor at the time of Barter's death. I can get a result for Wilbor as a landscape gardener who had done commissioned work for the Duke of Norfolk but no more.
Mary Barter addresses Wilbor as her cousin. She is
hoping to be taken in by a Mr Story who lives, as I read it, in Aberford in Yorkshire and
who is indeed linked to that place if one changes the spelling to “Storey”.
A
professional researcher in local archives could probably come up with a decent narrative.
The
letter reminded me of that by Mary Epps written in 1801 and also on this site:
https://www.otherpeoplesletters.com/2026/07/now-all-my-famley-is-goan-to-bed-i-am.html
Transcription
Addressed
to: Mr Wilbor Coney Street York
Datelined:
Knaresbro Jan 18 1789
Postmarked
undated KNARESBOROUGH; charged 4d on arrival
Docketing:
Jany 18th 1789
Dear
Mr Willbor
I
am glad you got all safe and I hope those which youl receve will come allso perfect
otherways all our care will be ill rewarded as I have neglected northing which
was for thear percervation _ I sent for mr
Blackburn but he told me he ded not know how it wod be and that he wod geve me
an Answeer has not been near me since if you wod write a line he wod give you
his determination as they don’t regard what a Whoman says I think it wod be
your speedest way – that if you Chuse it is derections is Ri Wm Blackburn serwing [?] bar
I
showed Mr Lomas yours he ded not say he wod or wod not take the remainder of
the furnerture so that I suppose he has no objictions the wash stand I keep
otherways all other is sent by the carrer yeats that is thay go of in the
moring
I
have not seen mr Story but expect him on munday I hope hes not Changed is
intention of taking me if so it will be frish trouble for me I have as much as
I am will able to bear I mean to be out of the House by Candmass [Candlemass,
2nd February] as you disire but if am disopointed
Aberfd [Aberford, village in Yorkshire?] what is to become of me
for the present but I wont think of that –
I
missed geving you Mr Barters …. [?]stock Bucel [?] &c but I shall find some opertunety to send them I shall write as sown as I
get setled if mr story is in the same mind I beg my Love to Mrs Willbor and both
the famalys
I
am Dear Mr Willbor yours Aft [? Affectionately] Cousin
Mary Barter
Knaresbro Jan 18 1789
No comments:
Post a Comment