WY992/7

Letter to William Stuart from Lady Jane MaCartney. Sorry he has not got an Abstract of the Will yet. When Lady MacCartney dies the household goods will go to Mrs. Hume, a relation of Lord MacCartney’s, and she will be able to sell it except for the plate which is to become an heirloom.

17 April 1806

From: 1806 To: 1806

An inventory is to be made of the “plate, furniture, books, pictures and china here – the linnen I find is not mentioned. There are no legacies except to servants, three hundred pounds to my maid Skeneer, who has lived 21 years, one hundred to those who have lived above seven, Eighty to those of six years standing. Fifty to those of three and all the rest a years wages”. Does not know what to do with the papers. Doctors say that Lord MacCartney “meant they should all be sent to the British Museum” Lady MacCartney hopes to see Lord Spencer soon about this. “The two secretaries Mr. Masewell and Mr. Burrow say they know, there are many things in those papers it would be highly improper now to make publick.”. Also wants advice “about a number of private papers, some made up in books consisting of various extracts, reflections, communications and is not sure what to do with them” ought they to be burnt, or shall I nail them up in a box for your inspection in case of my death”, she has just been told by the lawyer that she has “the power of lettery the house for my life if I share it”. [Note on front of letter in same handwriting as letter:- “After all to my great surprise by some mistake the Abstract of the Will I now find was not sent to you, but I have now sealed it up and it will be forwarded either today or tomorrow “ also, “I enclose here another paper I think you may like to see” (possibly WY992/8)]

item

Macartney, Jane [Countess Macartney],
Stuart, William,
Hume,
Macartney, George [1st Earl Macartney],
Skeneer,
Spencer, Lord,
Masewell,
Burrow

CORRESPONDENCE, wills, household plate, inventories, household furniture, servants, British Museum