Jane Whitaker was the daughter of a Wolverhampton banker, James Hordern, and mother of the seven-year-old heir to the Whitaker estate of Holme-in-Cliviger, co Lancs. She continued to live in Wolverhampton until her father's death in 1825 and afterwards spent the summer months at the Holme.
Dr. Whitaker (1759-1821) was vicar of Whalley from 1809 and held it in plurality with Holme Chapel. He had rebuilt the estate chapel in 1788 and was patron of the living, a perpetual curacy. From 1818 he was also vicar of Blackburn.
The six Whitaker children are mentioned in the letters. The eldest son, Thomas, died as a result of a riding accident in 1817. William (b. 1798) was in the army in Bengal until his return to Blackburn in 1832 or 1833. Robert (b. 1800), known as Robert Nowell Whitaker, followed his father to St. John's College, Cambridge, and then took holy orders. He succeeded his father at Whalley Vicarage. John, 'our Benjamin' (b. 1807), went from school to a clerical post in Blackburn. The eldest daughter, Lucy (b. 1787) married Thomas Starkie KC of Blackburn, and lived in London where Mrs Lucy Whitaker spent the spring and summer after she was widowed. Mary Charlotte (b. 1793) died in 1816 of smallpox.
Collection of letters, mainly from Lucy Whitaker (daughter of Thomas Thoresby of Leeds and widow of the Reverend Dr. Thomas Whitaker, historian of Whalley, Craven and Richmondshire) to her eldest son's widow, Jane.
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Written after a visit to the Holme by Jane and her son. LW 'melancholy'. Dr. Whitaker to be presented with a commemorative plate by the Civic Leaders of Blackburn for his brave condemnation of radical unrest.
Distress at Dr. Whitaker's illness; the splendour of the plate. News of a marriage between two Catholic families: their neighbours, the Towneleys and the Stonors (Oxon.). Robert and John in a coach accident; Lucy leaving London to avoid George IV's Coronation. News about visitors, deaths, the dry summer and the problem of sending Jane a fish.
Expecting a visit form Jane's brother; Dr. Whitaker's illness and an unexpected visit from the Bishop of Chester.
Family matters: Robert enjoying some shooting; going to Cambridge in October; William in India; Dr. Whitaker's illness. Sympathy for Jane as the anniversary of Thomas's death approached.
Rents and payments to members of the family. Dr. Whitaker's asthma. Consecration of re-built St. Mary's Church, Blackburn.
Rents well paid at the Holme, but not in Blackburn. Contrast between Blackburn and the better conditions of Holme tenants. The Starkie family return to London after four months at the Holme. Dr. Whitaker suffering; to go to Lytham for a few days.
Dr. Whitaker worse 'disordered with pain and opiates'. Support from many friends and twice daily visits from the Doctor. Dissuaded Jane from proposed visit.
Dr. Whitaker's sufferings less severe. Money worries. LW always 'an economist' and Dr. Whitaker 'no waster' but money invested in plantations and library. The latter valued at £200. Needs £200 to repay a tenant's widow for land improvements. Would Jane's father advance the money and also hold £500 (Mary Charlotte's inheritance) for Robert's Cambridge expenses?
Dr. Whitaker's death '...which was as easy to all appearances as falling asleep'. LW arranged the funeral but did not attend. Paid personal debts. Asked Jane's permission to give a present to Dr. Whitaker's cousin.
LW's finances. In 1818 Dr. Whitaker had raised £1000 to pay off a debt on the Holme by means of an annuity. A further £1000 to provide an annuity for LW had been forfeited: the broker paid no premiums.
Commiserated with JW on behalf of his congregation. Asked to remain as curate until Robert Whitaker took orders. (As guardian of the heir to the Holme, JW could present a perpetual curate to succeed Dr. Whitaker).
Draft reply enclosed on a slip of paper from JW or an executor giving favourable, but not firm, response.
Furniture at the Holme saved from being sold. LW has persuaded Mr. Nowell to buy it as an 'heir Loom'. Estate needed the family's presence. Hoped Jane would allow her and the boys and the Starkies to use it in the summer months and share the window tax.
Family news: Lucy Starkie's little daughter died of a chest infection. House in King Street, Blackburn, quite comfortable for LW. Blackburn 'toffy' and Dr. Whitaker's RSA gold medal sent to Tom.
Dr. Whitaker's successor as vicar of Blackburn. LW to go to London for Lucy Starkie's confinement. Suggested William Edmondson (perhaps the estate bailiff) should collect the March rents. Worried about taxes, debts and providing for the younger children. Will the Bishop of Chester approve Jane's choice of curate as an absentee? (Mr. Tindall of Wolverhampton).
'Unpalatable' matters arising from the settlement of the estate. James Maden (of Bacup, an executor) insisted on seeing Jane's marriage articles. Costly to send by post.
Mr. Hordern to pay allowances to the younger children. LW owed £60 from her jointure and has spent as much on school fees and clothes for John.
Visits to wealthy friends, including the Tempests at Broughton Hall.
Sent copy of Dr. Whitaker's will. Upset by a visit to the Holme while the executors conducted a valuation. Will see Jane en route to London and discuss the future of the chapel.
WB a trustee of the Whitaker Trust but had no information about the Whitaker marriage settlement.
Mr. Cottam (of Whalley) had ceased to be an executor. Starkie advised that the library should be sold in London. LW wanted Jane's permission for Robert to have some books and each child a piece of plate.
Lucy and the two baby girls well. LW at the Holme with Mr. Allen (former secretary to Dr. Whitaker) to catalogue the library. Leaving for London on the 15th and to arrive on the 18th in Wolverhampton.
Stayed the night in Oxford. Asked Jane to send the baby clothes she had promised.
Acknowledged the receipt of baby clothes. Current London fashions and orders made for Jane and her sister.
Thanks Jane for the clothes and Tom for a letter and present to her daughter, Lucy Anne. Improvement in her mother's spirits.
Delay in sending clothes (see no. 20). Mr. Starkie had a 'quinsey'. Worries about debts, limited income, her own future. Will have to take lodgings if cannot find a way to remain at the Holme.
News of Tom's illness and Jane's decision to appoint Mr. Tindall (Tom's schoolmaster) as the perpetual curate of Holme Chapel.
More on fashion and orders.
Concerned lest a quarrel between two tenants about a brick oven and access to clay should result in the loss of a lease renewal.
Letter delivered by hand by Jane Whitaker's brother, Henry.
Delayed return because Lucy was ill. Grateful for Hordern's invitation to Robert which made possible her delayed return.
Asked for £1000 to pay tutor's bills.
Executor's meeting. Only solution to financial problem was to let the Holme. Even with sister's help, she could not afford servants and taxes. Instead, she would live in a small house in Blackburn. Details of leases being renegotiated and condition of the estate. Suggested RNW should have an annual grant while at Cambridge.
Warned Jane against a tenant called Chadwick. He is dishonest. Starkie proposed to buy the plate to keep it in the family.
nd [Summer 1822]
Arrangements for tenants' beef supper on rent day. Money for Robert until Christmas and John's school bill. Urged Mr. Hordern to visit so he will understand the estate better. Looked ahead to settling in Blackburn. Brother had offered to buy some items from the Holme for her use.
Explanation of how and why plate had been purchased, responding to Mr. Hordern's request for a valuation. News of visits to friends.
Concerned about Mr. Langfield's inexperience with dealing with tenants on the chapel farms. LW had dealt with repairs; thought Edmondson the proper person to deal with all tenants' matters.
Had acquired rented house in Blackburn and advertised the Holme to let. Needed money for Robert and John. Thomas' books packed to send to Jane by canal.
Had heard from receiver of taxes that the house must be vacated by 4 Oct, giving a little more time. House can be left untaxed in charge of any servant not paying poor or church rates. Gardens had been put in order. Curios and coins sorted and labelled, letters and papers burnt but 'every scrap of parchment locked in library table'.
Would not cause Jane expense if she (LW) spent summer at the Holme - an attempt to correct this misunderstanding.
Chadwick (see no. 27) to have part tenancy of the house and garden - probably as caretaker - at £28 per annum. James Walmesley to have the home farm. LW to agree terms with Chadwick for her summer visits. Optimistic that the estate would eventually show a profit.
'A severe tryal' leaving the Holme. News from William in India; offered a cornetcy in a dragoon regiment and needed transfer of money. Mr. Towneley dealing directly with Mr. Hordern about the sale of tithes.
Furniture from the Holme to go to Blackburn house - some of LW's family pieces, some bought from the Whitaker estate by LW's brother.
A catalogue had been made for Jane of all the furniture.
LW 'pretty composed' on leaving the Holme. Difficult to let the house. Hoped Edmondson would let the garden to James Hartley. Worried at the cost of William's cornetcy: £600.
Receipt for £100 for Mr. Hodern from £2,500 made under the marriage settlement of RNW's late brother, Thomas. (Subsequent annotations of sums paid to Robert and John).
Asked for £200. Reported on his survey of the plantations at the Holme.
Valuation of furniture by Mr. Cottam was £64 more than Mr. Nowell's (see no. 13). More must be sold; offered Jane some items.
Pleased that Jane had given work to James Hartley. An estate had had been found. Would Mr. Hordern continue as the family's banker? He paid 5%; Burnley banks paid 4%.
William had refused cornetcy on hearing of his father's death.
Starkie to be Downing Professor of Civil Law at Cambridge.
Explained his need of money.
Travel plans to Wolverhampton.
Exams over; wanted to leave Cambridge. Needed £40.
Pencil note on verso: 'R owes...for postage'. List and total.
Receipt for £40.
Shopping commissions for Jane. Catalogue of plate (no list survives) and assurance it was all secure in the bank. News of northern friends met in London.
Enclosures: note to JW from her brother, Alexander Hordern and letter to LW.
Note to LW from Mr. R. Nowell - valuation of articles bequeathed to Dr. Whitaker's children.
Been invited to Ty Coch.
Receipt for £20.
Wrote for money ordered by Caernarvon bank.
Had given up Blackburn house. With her sister, Ann, putting the Holme to rights with fires and whitewashing.
Sister to marry Mr. Cardwell. Robert's fishing adventure on the Irish Sea.
Asked for money owed to her from her jointure.
Described William's account of storming a fort in India. He needed all but £300 of his inheritance sending to India.
New planting needed and repairs to the house.
Receipt for £200.
Staying with Mr. Maden whom she hoped would begin work as a trustee.
Death of a grandson.
Had taken lodgings for 3 months in Blackburn - a home for John when he started work.
Mr. Maden seeking deed of settlement before he would act as a trustee for William's and John's money. LW still owed her jointure and had had to borrow. Sister's wedding on the 6th Jan. Estate matters.
Described packing up at the Holme. Celebrated Christmas with a dinner for 30 poor neighbours. Nearly at the end of settling Dr. Whitaker's debts.
Plans for going to Cambridge in March. Money problems: was owed £80. Hoped Jane and Tom would visit in the summer.
Money needed for College bills. Could Jane raise £1000? Had hoped to call en route to Wales.
Had asked for £170 in Mr. Hordern's notes; would collect as his coach to Cambridge passed Wolverhampton.
On verso, in Jane's hand: note of two receipts.
Trustees had raised a mortgage to pay outstanding debts. Sorry Jane and Tom would not be returning to Lancashire. Robert had gone to London without tutor's permission.
Robert was on his way to Italy and Greece to join Lord Byron. No news of William; John pleased with his job. Asked Jane for any commissions. News of northern friends in London. Starkie appointed counsel for the University of Cambridge.
Death of Mr. Cardwell (sister's husband). Robert stranded at Otranto. Holgate's bank in Burnley had failed and many neighbours had lost their savings.
Disappointed Jane not going to the Holme. No news of Robert or William. Sister being generously treated by Mr. Cardwell's family. Comments on London fashions. Books for Tom.
Will stay a day or two in Wolverhampton on the way north. Relieved at indirect news of Robert in Italy.
(a) About her husband's death. To take a house in Blackburn and share it with Lucy Whitaker. Both to go to the Holme in August. Robert in Venice.
(b) Tired at constantly moving house. No news of William and war in India imminent. Mr. Hordern had declined to buy a plantation lease at the Holme.
Had searched financial records for receipts, but in vain. About to go to the Holme.
Asked for bill for £64 and £10 for himself.
Receipt for £74.
Asked for debt to Mr. Dearden to be settled.
Regretted Jane's absence. Improvements at the Holme. Recommended a tenant for the pottery. Chadwick had broken into a stable.
Problems with a trustee and payments to the children had stopped.
Thanked Jane and Mr. Hordern for the money sent to Mr. Maden (a trustee). Progress in paying William's debt.
Estate matters, in particular road and house building.
News of a clerical vacancy. Jane in London. Had tried to curtail Chadwick trying to make a right of way and taking other liberties before she left the Holme.
Needed money due to herself and John.
Shocked at Mr. Hordern's death.
Plans to buy a set of maps for Tom.
Acknowledged receipt of jointure up-to-date. Plans for Jane to go to the Holme for Tom's holidays and LW to join her from June.
Plans for keeping house together at the Holme.
Concerned at house building near the Holme. Seeking Mr. Towneley's help.
Travel arrangements to Wolverhampton and then with Jane to the Holme.
Explained that some of the Holme furniture was her own.
The estate would benefit from Jane and Tom being at the Holme as much as possible.
LW would be glad to stay in the summer, paying 14s and be allowed to 'make the Holme neat'.
William about to storm a fort in India. Robert had finished his degree.
Had remained at the Holme to keep it warm. Hint of differences between LW and JW. LW assured Jane she would not intrude at the Holme. News of Yorkshire friends.
(a) Upset and surprised at Jane's accusation that she was interfering. Jane asked that LW's furniture be stored in the study until it was removed. Jane intended to live at the Holme.
(b) Jane had forbidden shooting at the Holme. Robert wanted permission to continue while he had a guest.
Thanked Jane for permission to stay a month or so at the Holme. Uncertain about visiting in the summer. Offered to sell some carpets.
Stayed longer than expected at the Holme to attend the funeral of John Hargreaves. Apologises for a letter from John to JW. Sadness and confusion at the dispute: 'I thank God when I say that my Conscience is Clear from any cause of Anger from you'.
Tom to go to school (Charterhouse). Leaving for Blackburn; the Holme in good order.
Agreement about carpets; Jane to pay in instalments.
Had received carpet money. News of William and the storming of Bhurtpore. Had spent time with Tom at Charterhouse. To go next to Cambridge.
Long postscript referring to their quarrel; pleaded for restored affectionate relations.
Attempt to end estrangement between the two Mrs. Whitakers. Reminded Jane that she had furniture and plate at the Holme because of LW's intervention.
News about Lytham and jelly making.
A reconciliatory letter '...will endeavour to erase...all unpleasantness'. Unable to accept invitation to the Holme.
News from William about the battle at Bhurtpore and prize money. Will search amongst Robert's books for Thomas's.
About Thomas's books. Had found and sent two. Mr. Allen helping.
Invited Jane and her sister to stay if the wedding preparations allowed. 'Let us be good friends once more'.
Sorry would not meet Jane. Regretted the quarrel and urged Jane to relent over the shooting ban at the Holme. Intended to send Jane a fish.
Items of gossip; family wedding; weather; Tom.
Not able to call at Wolverhampton for 18 months. Thanked MT for keeping the Holme Chapel living. RNW had been disappointed recently about a living.
Asked Jane what to do about the insurance on Holme furniture.
Sympathy to Jane on the death of Miss Hill (housekeeper or governess?). Visits to friends in Leeds and Halifax. Need to repay William's debts and send money to India.
Demanded notes instead of a £50 bill.
Enclosed: reply. Rebuke for John's ignorance; he is not to trouble Jane again.
Receipt for John's £50.
Regretted family dispute which would have grieved Dr. Whitaker.
Statement of the interest on a loan to the Turnpike Trust.
Just arrived at the Holme with brother. Jane had cared for the house well during her stay. Explained John's letter: a bill would have lost him £1 16s.
Oysters, delivered after Jane left, had gone bad.
Described tasks carried out at the Holme. Advice on the garden. Neighbours in great need; efforts to provide charity. Mentioned a bed bought from the Towneleys after the 1715 Rebellion, with distinctive hangings.
Invited to stay at the Holme in the summer. Robert ordained; hoped to take curacy at Holme Chapel.
Waiting to go to Cambridge. Intending to give Tom White's 'History of Selborne'. News of William - new command in the Himalayas and £300 prize money.
Regretted could not see Jane before Jane left London. Looked forward to seeing Tom and a dance.
Unable to go to the Holme; would like an invitation for Robert, his wife and her sister. Hoped 'we shall again be a united family'.
Described the dance (see no. 97) and Tom's attendance.
Hoped for Tom's success at school and in the future as the owner of the Holme.
Going to Cambridge and then the Holme.
The Holme dry and comfortable. Tom's pony very well. Plans for next year when Jane was to come at Easter. News of an unsuccessful apprenticeship to a master clogger
£18 interest on a loan secured on tolls of the Turnpike.
Details about the house - roof leaking. Garden in order. Wages very low but some improvement in the condition of the poor. Had searched the moor for Tom's pony.
(a) Local news and visits to friends; an adventurous evening being twice dug out of snow.
(b) Plans for summer visits including Mr. Jones in Wales. John had enjoyed 6 weeks in London and Cambridge. William being paid as a Captain.
Asked to stay at the Holme for 10 days before going to Wales. Will put down only the carpets she needs.
Had lit fires at the Holme. Tom's pony had been brought down from the moor. Hoped to see Tom in London. John coming of age; will be pleased to receive £2,000 (his inheritance).
Shocked at the sudden death of William Edmondson. Commended James Hartley as his successor.
Had been grieved by Jane's behaviour to her sister and hoped she is sorry. Unable to accept Jane's invitation because of poor health.
A visit to Wales. Visits to her two grandsons while in London. Views on a local (Lancashire) wedding.
AC had returned to Lytham for her health. Would Jane now live permanently at the Holme after her brother, Henry's, marriage?
Receipt for her sister's £40. LW returning in November when both would like to visit the Holme. Sending Jane shrimps from Lytham.
Thanked Jane for permission to go to the Holme. Robert to take a curacy at Largho. (Note from Anne Cardwell on verso).
Offered Jane her plantation for £372 to keep it in the family. Needed the investment for an income to live on.
No shooting on the estate but friends had been generous with game and she had invited all to dine before she left the Holme.
Details about furnishings at the Holme which belonged to LW. Death of Mr. Jones, Robert's 'second father'. Robert to build a house at Largho (see no. 112).
Thanked Jane for her invitation, but going to London. Furniture at the Holme. Details about drains and a lost sketch of their position. Concerned about the poor people and a rumour of riots.
Quarterly payment to go to her sister. Approval of Tom's manners and appearance. Concern for the poor as winter comes. Returning the end of October.
Approved of Jane being in London to be near Tom. News of William from India House. Suggested method of paying off his debt for his outfit from his interest. Concerned for the suffering of poor neighbours.
Does not know what LW means about payment of William's interest, but LW's ideas impossible. Draft of a reply as from JW to LW - for William to decide; meanwhile Mr. Nowell held power of attorney.
Receipt for LW's £40. LW with Mrs. Pollard in Leamington.
Had met friends of Jane's at the Starkie's house. Journey from Leamington had been in driving snow. William was well last June. 'Poor people here are in the utmost distress'.
Able to join Jane at the Holme. News of a friend of Thomas' who had squandered his fortune. Suggestions about items of furniture at the Holme.
Arrangements for a visit to Jane at the Holme and for fresh provisions.
Robert to live at Whalley Abbey. Asked for items of her furniture from the Holme. Brother very ill.
Tom to visit Robert. Soldiers exercising, temporary barracks and radical hand bills. Parish would not get augmentation - population not over 2,000.
Enquired if Sarah Crowther had a decent cloak for church. Accused Chadwick of dishonesty.
Enclosed note: JW to LW - mistaken about Chadwick; Sarah would be glad of a cloak.
Relieved Jane did not give her note to Chadwick. Brother's health improved. Described fire at St. Mary's, Blackburn. Mr. Starkie to be a Poor Law Commissioner.
Had heard Jane soon to return to the Holme. John visiting in Wales. Had dined at Whalley with Robert. Mr. Towneley made High Sheriff and had given a public breakfast in Blackburn.
Robert, his wife and in-laws to visit the Holme. Could John be included? Hoped the larches would be in leaf.
Mr. Towneley had a good welcome in Blackburn (see no. 128).
Busy painting and whitewashing; then to London with Mrs. Fisher, a friend and an invalid. Sending carpet and some Hepaticas.
Had visited Hastings. Starkie family visit to Vauxhall with Tom.
Receipt for sister's money.
No date for sister's return. Would convey Jane's view about William's money. To be a bachelor's ball in Blackburn.
Concerned that William was unwell but not returning to Europe. Worried about his money since the death of Mr. Nowell, who had the power of attorney (see no. 119). Presents from India. Waiting for company for return to Lancashire.
Pleased at good report of Tom.
Accepted Jane's invitation to the Holme.
Receipt for £75 for William.
Had just returned with Robert. Health of family and friends.
William had asked for £500 of his inheritance and £1,000 in 6 months. Jane needed to have the bill endorsed by Mr. Maden.
Receipt for £500.
Unwell so had postponed going to London. Just two cases of cholera at Holmes Chapel.
Enclosed: receipt from William for £500.
Asked permission for Robert and a friend to shoot at the Holme. Enclosed a recipe for dealing with a horsechestnut tree.
Message for Tom: that he should be vaccinated as Robert had been.
Receipt for money and thanked him and Jane for allowing shooting at the Holme (see no. 142).
The election had gone quietly 'as times go'.
William to arrive in April. Had she left her spectacles at the Holme? Sister not well.
Asked if John might visit the Holme. William on extended visit to Linton. Richard Nowell and his wife separated after their return from India.
A late receipt. A recommendation for Exeter College, Oxford, where Tom might go.
Glad to have seen Tom at Linton. Sudden death of a fellow guest, Mrs. Matthew Wilson of Eshton. Sister very weak.
A memento of her sister for Jane. Brother staying with her in Blackburn.
Receipt for money. Accepted Jane's invitation after she has completed her sister's affairs. Comments on a dance.
Delay to visit to the Holme. May go to London and Cambridge, if well enough.
Leaving Blackburn to live with Robert at Whalley Abbey, recently bought by a local gentleman from Lord Howe. Mr. Starkie a K.C.
Reasons for not visiting Jane. Health improved. Messages and condolences to friends at the Holme.
Brother had recovered. Returning soon after visits to friends in Leeds and Halifax. Had influenza in Cambridge: 'nearly died'.
Receipt for £80 - included £40 owed since Dr. Whitaker died.
News of a wedding; regretted bridegroom was a Whig.
Received his money in excellent time.
Receipt for money.
Receipt for money and a short note.
Tom to stay and join a party, but unable to attend Conservative meeting at Preston.
Seeds and cuttings for the Holme garden. Marriage of Lucy Anne Starkie.
Lucy Anne and her husband, Mr. Power, staying while he travelled on Poor Law business.
Travelling to Switzerland. Wrote about estate matters - bridge repairs, banking money for mining of coal and stone. A new will to provide for Mary, his wife.
Estate matters - the bridge; petty sessions. Had been to Lucern. Plans for crossing the Alps before the snow. Mary keen to go to Italy.
Sent 'Blackburn Toffy' for Tom in a parcel to Mrs. Starkie. Will send flower seed to the Holme.
Hopes Tom will visit.