The letter is addressed to Mr Wardle, Druggist, Leek, dated 21st July 1829. The paper is a thick cream with a watermark of H SALMON 1825.
The postal markings are a straight-line name stamp of CLITHEROE (size 33 x 3.5mm) and the charge mark of ‘8’ to cover the postage of a distance of between 50–80 miles from London. Leeke (spelled with an E in the list), was 155 miles and Clitheroe (without an E) listed as 216 miles from London.
It has an amazingly good clear black wax seal, and this image shows what seems to be a raven or a crow, on a tree stump with a branch growing out of either side of the stump.
The letter is beautifully written and easy to read, with fancy penmanship on the address panel, and under the signature at the end. I think I would have difficulty using a quill to such effect.
Clitheroe 21st July 1829
My dear Hugh
In answer to that part of your letter of the 19th inst which refers to my brother Charles, I really don’t know what to say or do & what will ultimately become of him I am really at a loss to conjecture. I fear however he is getting worse & worse & his present Companion will not improve him.
As to supplying him with money, we as Trustees have clearly no power excepting at the risk of its coming out of our own Pockets, & you are aware he has already got a considerable sum which we were by no means justified in giving him; as far however as I am concerned I leave you to act according to your own discretion.
As regards the Sale of the Property, I think Mr Curso is wrong for this plain reason, that by the Conditions of Sale we shall expressly engage to give the Purchaser a marketable Title & stipulate that all necessary parties shall join in his Conveyance.
I think you must concur in this opinion & probably we can again offer the Property for Sale after our Assizes are over & in the mean time the Deeds can be getting forward.
Excuse this hasty scrawl & believe me to remain
Dr Hugh
Your affectionate Brother
Wm Wardle
Mr Wardle Druggist Leek
This seems really strange as the letter is from one brother writing to another brother, referring to a third man whom he refers to as ‘my’ brother and not ‘our’ brother. Perhaps they were step-brothers, with one different parent. At this stage it is not possible to know.
A websearch for the addressee in Leek in 1829, has only obtained much information about the Wardle family as silk and dye manufacturers, but no record of Mr Wardle, druggist.
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