Correspondence from the Clarke Sisters

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 133 HAM/1/10
  • Dates of Creation
      c.1777-1819
  • Physical Description
      2 sub-subseries; 46 items. Condition: HAM/1/10/2 has a number of items that are delicate and torn.

Scope and Content

The correspondence in this sub-series consists of letters from two of Hamilton's oldest friends, Anna Maria and Caterina Clarke. The Clarkes, originally from Northampton, nursed Hamilton's mother whilst Hamilton was in London. The two sisters set up home with Hamilton in Clarges Street, London, after she left Court. Caterina Clarke later married John Jackson and the correspondence in HAM/1/10/2 consists of the Jackson family. The correspondence relates to Hamilton's mother, friends and acquaintances, literature and music. The correspondence also relates to Hamilton's marriage to John Dickenson, politics and to the daughters of Caterina Jackson.

Included in the archive is a copy letter from Hamilton in which she admonishes Mary Jackson, Caterina's daughter, for having provoked gossip by staying unaccompanied in his house after the death of his wife (HAM/1/10/2/17).

Arrangement

This sub-series has been arranged into two sub-subseries. HAM/1/10/1 consists of the correspondence of Caterina and Anna Maria Clarke. HAM/1/10/2 consists of the correspondence of the Jackson family.