Reference
PM3036
Title
Transcripts of letters from Charles Melville Pym (b. 1834, d. 1888). Transcribed and annotated by Alan Hughes of Overleigh, Somerset.
Date free text
c. 1847-1860
Production date
From: 1847 To: 1860
Scope and Content
These letters are mainly to his sister Harriet Matilda (Maude) who married Frederick Chatfield Smith of Bramcote Hall, Nottinghamshire in 1858, and Lucy Katherine (Kate), who married John Deacon of Mabledon, Kent.
The letters contain details of Charles' career and many references to the Pym family, their relations and friends. In a number of the letters members of staff at the Hasells are mentioned by name.
Pages 1-2 written from school at Little Berkhamstead, (headmaster Reverend Henry Seawell) and dated 1847.
Pages 3-8 written from a crammer, run by Mr. Cowie at Stoke D'Abernon, Surrey and dated from c. 1851-1853. Reference to the coach from Leatherhead to Brighton and to his brother in law Rev. Samuel Waldrgrave becoming Bampton lecturer at Oxford in 1854.
Pages 8-15 written from Calcutta and journey to Peshawar in India/Pakistan and dated 1853-1854. They give details of his journey by Dak; canvasses for ADC job in NW Provinces (Mrs Whitbread's brother is Lieutenant Governor there)
Pages 15-23 written from Peshawar (Pakistan) and dated 1854-1855. Reference to playing cricket and football in Peshawar; otherwise a dull station. Charles has heard that they have started chanting in Sandy church. references to marriages of Kate and Ruthven Pym.
Pages 23-26 written from Rawalpindi (Pakistan) and dated 1856. Charles had a more enjoyable time there with balls, cricket and football. Request for Daguerreotypes by Kilburn - will have one done himself when the Daguerreotype man arrives at Murree. Intends to spend the hot weather between Kashmir and Murree.
Pages 26-28 written at camp Googernwallah on 7 Nov 1856. References to large numbers of deaths from cholera due to exceptional rain during hot season. Rawalpindi spared. Reference to Pyms at the Hasells losing Miss Schilling (governess).
Pages 28-31 written at Murree and dated 1856. Charles lived with Edward and Louisa Thornton for 2 months. Two of their boys were at school at Mrs Haddoway's in Brighton. Charles performed at the theatre in Murree.
Pages 31-34 written en route to Kussowlee and dated early 1857. Reference to meeting between Dost Mohammed and Sir Lawrence at Peshawar; possibility of expedition to Persia. Description of life on the march.
Pages 34-36 written at Camp Delhi on 27 Aug 1857, during the siege in the Indian Mutiny. Charles describes an action on 25 August 1857 in which an enemy counter attack led to their losing their camp. Arrival of heavy siege train will lead to the British capturing Delhi before the end of September. Charles hoping to leave India as soon as possible. Comments on description in Maude's letter of the opening of the Potton railway. 'Where abouts is the station at Potton, it must enliven that deadly lively place.'
Pages 36-37 written at Snow View, Simla on 1 Nov 1857. Charles' engagement to Louise Aylward. Details of wedding presents; mention of Miss Schilling escaping the horrors of Lucknow unscathed. Postscript from Dak Bungalow, between Simla and Kussowlee.
Pages 38-39 written from Umballa on 6-10 Mar 1858. Married on 4th at Simla. Ridden 30 miles to Umballa; going to ride into Kussowlie. Details of wedding and arranging house.
Page 40. Letter from Louisa Pym from Umballa on 23 Aug 1858 congratulating Maude on her marriage to Frederick Chatfield Smith MP of Bramcote Hall, Nottinghamshire. Mentions writers illness: Francis Pym (her father in law) 's recovery from illness and Charles scarcely able to do all the work he has to do without getting the fever.
Page 41 written by Charles at Umballa on 15 May 1859. Maude about to have a child; Louise at Simla recovering after a miscarriage.
Pages 41-42 written from Simla on 25 Jun 1859. Congratulations to Maude on birth of her child (Herbert george Smith). Louise hurt when no references to her in letters from home.
Pages 42-43 written from Umballa on 3 Oct 1859. Charles grateful for photographs. Louise had another miscarriage. He is learning Hindustani for exam so can keep staff job. Charles hurt that at his father's division of the linen, when he left the Hasells, he got nothing, and that 'Mr. Alexander stays at home amusing himself shooting and doing nothing and he is considered a needy man and gets everything.' Upset that his father has sent no letter or present to Louise since they married. Mention of the visit of Lord Hardwicke's son, Lord Royston.
Pages 44-46 written from Raneegunge Hotel, near Calcutta. News of his father's death; in his last letter spoke more affectionately of Louise, as Lord Royston had given such a glowing account of her. Details of all his travelling to Simla and Calcutta (to try to get a pass in his Hindustani exam)
Hopes to get free passage to England in 1862 with the intention of staying there, as Louise's health not up to India after three miscarriages. hopes to have £1,000 p.a. income.
Note: references to Kilburn's Daguerreotypes. William E. Kilburn was based at 2354 Regent Street 1852-1855 and 222 regent Street 1856-1864.
Level of description
item