L30/11/233/38

Letter from Anne Florence Robinson, Wrest Park, to Amabel, to Countess de Grey. Lady de Grey seems deeply interested in John Sobieski Stuart Roy’s fate and movements, so the writer provides the all the information she has received from ‘authentic sources.’

2 Dec. No year [1831]

From: 1831 To: 1831

Some years ago two men appeared in Town calling themselves the last of the Stuarts and professing to have some claims to the crown of England [John Sobieski Stuart and Charles Edward Stuart]. They walked round arm in arm with a theatrical hauteur, and were much laughed at by those who saw them. John Sobieski Stuart married a wealthy widow a fortnight after meeting her. Several years elapsed before they were heard of again. About 8 years ago, they came to Gordon Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Gordon, the gentlemen now called Stuart Roy. They always dressed in the highland costume, and lived in a quiet and respectable manner. The Duchess of Gordon told the writer that John Sobieski had been at Gordon Castle, sketched remarkably well and sang beautifully; a respectable sort of man but rather theatrical. They lived on Mrs Sobieski’s fortune. Have nearly spent all the money, and would be grateful if Lady de Grey would send more as promised. One gentleman left yesterday; Lady Sandwich arrived today, her daughter having married Count … [remainder of letter not present] Note: Lady Catherine Caroline Montagu was daughter of George John Montagu,6th Earl of Sandwich and Lady Louisa Mary Ann Julia Harriet Lowry-Corry. She married Count Alexander Walewski, son of Napoleón I Bonaparte on 1 Dec 1831.

item

Robinson, Anne Florence,
de Grey, Amabel, 1st Countess,
Stuart, John Sobieski,
Stuart, Charles Edward,
Montagu, Catherine Caroline,
Montagu, George John (6th Earl of Sandwich),
Walewski, Catherine Caroline,
Walewski, Alexander,
Duke of Gordon,
Duchess of Gordon

family correspondence, marriages, COSTUME & DRESS, widows, women's history