Josephine Butler to 'Dear Friends' [the Miss Priestmans]

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 106 3JBL/25/03
  • Former Reference
      GB 106 4061
  • Dates of Creation
      4 Feb 1886
  • Physical Description
      1 item

Scope and Content

Written from [Winchester]. 'Our children are to be married on Monday so as to let us go without delay to Cannes'. Says: 'I am in a very shakey condition and so is my dear husband'. Asks for the Thomasson's address at Cannes.

Administrative / Biographical History

[Beginning of Feb 1886] Date No date on letter but reference that 'our children are to be married on Monday so as to let us go without delay to Cannes'. We have postcard postmarked 16 Feb 1886 from Avignon and a letter from Cannes dated 2 Mar, which traces and dates their journey south in search of warmth and as they hoped restoration of health for the Rev George who had been ill in bed all that winter. 8 Feb was a Monday (day of marriage) and if the Butlers departed for the Continent the 9th that would give them a leisurely journey to Avignon. Date of letter therefore c 4 Feb. Stanley married Rhoda Bolton the daughter of Emily, younger sister of Josephine, who married as her 2nd husband Jasper Bolton by whom he had 2 sons and 3 daughters. Jasper died 1871. Stanley and Rhoda were therefore 1st cousins. Emma Booth was a daughter of William Booth (The General) b 1868. 'was almost as passionate an evangelist as her mother.' (Life of William Booth by Harold Rigbie vol 1 p 63). Biog:T he Thomassons; Emma Booth.