BLUE
Profile banner
EB
Emily Brand
@emilybrand.bsky.social
Historian of the long 18thC, editor, genealogist. 📚 Book: The Fall of the House of Byron 📝 Writing about: Marie Antoinette’s ladies
3.9k followers1.7k following588 posts
EBemilybrand.bsky.social

'I have loved him as my Husband, though I was too proud to make him so, or ever let him know it...' (Oxford Journal, 1770) If anyone can identify this 'old Lady of Fortune' making a speech of love about a servant in her will, they will be my hero ✍️💌 #18c

11

BRbrosenfeld.bsky.social

£11,000 was a huge fortune back then.

0
DRdrrjwarren.bsky.social

Aw what a touching, and sad, vignette into 2 lives. I hope he knew.

0
AMmiscelena.bsky.social

Found nothing in the Oxfordshire wills from that year that're available on FMP. It was a long shot, as she might've lived anywhere, but worth a look. I think it's also possible that it's a pleasant fiction of the kind inserted to help sell papers?

0
leesarenae.bsky.social

We expect my husband's Godmother(88) to do something along these lines with her, "lodger." And if she doesn't it will be a shame.

0
Ccrashtesthuman.bsky.social

Incredible. If you ever identify her, please update us.

0
DBantiprofessor.bsky.social

It's such a large estate it may be possible to track it down?

0
BDbarbdrummond.bsky.social

He’s likely a similar age so might be traceable in local papers soon after

0
HShuwsayer.bsky.social

According to the Bank of England, that £11,000 in 1770 would be worth around £1.6 million today.

1
HShuwsayer.bsky.social

How beautiful and sad. Hope you find the answer. Sounds like the basis for a lovely film.

0
AGdranniegray.bsky.social

And I would love to know as well. (And whether he was OK with the kicker with the mourning period clause).

1
Profile banner
EB
Emily Brand
@emilybrand.bsky.social
Historian of the long 18thC, editor, genealogist. 📚 Book: The Fall of the House of Byron 📝 Writing about: Marie Antoinette’s ladies
3.9k followers1.7k following588 posts