Letters relating to the marriage of
William Frederick Holmes à Court, 3rd Baron Heytesbury, to
Margaret Harman, which took place on the 19th November 1887:
Copy of letter from the 2nd Baron to Mrs Parkinson (his grandson's
future mother in law):
May 5th 1887
Dear Mrs Parkinson,
I venture to write about the engagement between your daughter and
my Grandson. When my son agreed to it it was arranged that the
marriage should not take place during my life time, but my
Grandson is now anxious to marry soon. To enable him to do this
he proposes to borrow money that will give him £600 a year
during my life, but after my death he will have to pay interest
and insurance amounting together to £446 during the whole of his
life.
I enclose a statement of my affairs by which you will see if he
perseveres in marrying now his income after my death will be
about £1540. I have urged him to adhere to the old arrangement
for if he borrows money now he will be in great difficulties all
his life. His father's income was £1300 a year and he could not
make both ends meet. I was obliged to advance him money from time
to time. I shall be 78 in July next, and am feeling very old and
infirm, and I feel it would be more prudent of them to defer his
marriage and not to cripple himself for life for the sake of
marrying a year or two earlier.
I have no money to leave him as my younger children are very
badly provided for.
I do hope you will see the matter in the same light as I do. My
grandson does not seem to realise the great and lasting
privations the marriage will entail on your daughter herself if
he encumbers himself by borrowing money on such heavy terms.
The income from my estates is about one half of what it was years
ago. It is badly provided, I am in constant fear of having to
make further reductions.
Letter from Mrs Parkinson to 2nd Baron:
Easthill
Frome
Somerset
May 9th 1887
Dear Lord Heytesbury,
I regret having allowed a day or two to elapse before replying to
your kindly expressed letter on the subject of the engagement
between your grandson and my daughter, but I know when you hear
that I am not well you will excuse the delay. I was never aware
that it was arranged that the marriage should not take place
during your life time. I must at once say that such an idea would
have been repugnant to my feelings. I think there must be some
mistake in this judging from a letter I received from the late Mr
à Court dated the 22nd August 1885 before the engagement was
formally sanctioned. In that letter after assuring me that my
daughter would "receive a most cordial welcome from us all"
he says your grandson "is on receipt of no income beyond a
small allowance, but he is endeavouring to obtain an attachéship
which though at first not a lucrative appointment may be followed
by good <results?>". Nothing is mentioned that the
marriage should be dependent on your decease, on the contrary
shewing that it could <?> have been entertained, Mr à
Court casually remarked that you "might easily live ten or
fifteen years" but added however that should anything happen
and your grandson becomes the heir and "agree with me to cut
the entail and renew it on his children he would of course
immediately receive an income of say £800 to £1000 a year and
also be able to make a settlement on his wife." A few days
afterwards Mr à Court came here and talked matters son <?>
confirming his letter and then it was arranged that their
engagement should be announced - your grandson I am aware is now
desirous of marrying soon his engagement having already gone on
for nearly two years, and his position having materially altered
since his father's death. He has spoken of increasing his income
by borrowing money, but I trust he may not find it necessary to
do so, as I am quite of your opinion that it would be a great
pity to him to hamper himself in the future. I can only hope that
some other way may be found to solve the difficulty.
With kind regards
Believe me
Yours very truly
<?> Parkinson
Copy of letter from the 2nd Baron to Mrs Parkinson:
May 12 1887
My dear Mrs Parkinson,
I have been prevented from sending an earlier reply to your
letter and regret to hear by it you are not well.
I am surprised you did not understand from my son that the
marriage could not take place till after my death. Both he and my
grandson were aware of it, and talked of it often here.
When my son mentioned to you that young Willie on cutting off the
entail might have income of £800 or £1000 a year he must have
been perfectly aware this would not be during my life though it
seems he did not make himself sufficiently clear.
I allowed my son £1300 a year which is continued to his widow,
and I also pay a premium of £800 <?> a year on my life as
a provision for my younger children, both these annual ...<?>
will cease on my death, but with my large family it is totally
impossible for me to make my grandson an allowance of £800 a
year to enable him to marry.
Had my son outlived me he could have done it as these 2 payments
amount to about £2100 would have ceased. It is a very great pity
he did not let you know the exact position of affairs
Letter from Mrs Parkinson to 2nd Baron
July 22nd
Easthill
Frome
Somerset
Dear Lord Heytesbury,
Your grandson tells me you have now consented to his marriage
taking place next June. Will you kindly let me hear from you
definitely on the subject?
With kind regards,
Yours very truly,
Mrs Parkinson
Copy of letter from the 2nd Baron to Mrs Parkinson:
July 25th 1887
Dear Mrs Parkinson,
When my grandson agreed to postpone his marriage till next June I
promised to give him on certain conditions when the marriage
takes place an allowance of £300 a year during my life so as to
avoid the ruin which would inevitably follow if he raised money
on the <?> of the property.
He informs me he believes Miss Harman will have an allowance of
£150 a year, this joint income is a small one on which to live
during my life but I cannot do more.
I should be willing when the time comes for a definite
arrangement to make some small settlement on Miss Harman.
Letter from Mrs Parkinson to 2nd Baron
July 28th 1887
Easthill
Frome
Somerset
Dear Lord Heytesbury,
I have received your letter intimating that you had promised to
increase your grandson's income on certain conditions and would
be willing, when the time came, for a definite arrangement, to
make some small settlement on my daughter - The engagement has
gone on so long that it seems to me desirable that something
definite as to the terms of the impending marriage should be
arrived at now, in order that we may be prepared to meet them.
May I therefore ask what those certain conditions are and what
would be the amount of the settlement you are kind enough to say
you would make?
With kind regards
Yours very truly
Mrs Parkinson
Copy of letter from the 2nd Baron to Mrs Parkinson:
July 29th 1887
Dear Mrs Parkinson,
In reply to your letter I have to state that the conditions on
which I agreed to <?> my grandson's allowance, are that I
am to have his promise that he will not be borrowing on the
property and the marriage is to be deferred till June next.
Of course a settlement on Miss Harman, and also the settlement of
her money have to be considered before it takes place, but as
nearly a year has to elapse there is ample time for this, and I
am not prepared to enter upon marriage settlements as long
beforehand, but anticipate no difficulties.
I trust that Miss Harman has recovered from the effects of the
accident, and believe me
Yours very truly
Heytesbury
Letter from Mrs Parkinson to 2nd Baron
August 1st 1887
Easthill
Frome
Somerset
Dear Lord Heytesbury,
Thank you for kindly enquiring after my daughter, she is a little
better today but has not yet recovered from the effects of the
accident, her nervous system having been greatly shaken - I am
sorry to say that the long engagement with its attendant
incidents is having an injurious effect upon her health - I was
not aware till her present illness how much the delays and
disappointments prey upon her mind, and I hope you will pardon a
mother's anxiety and agree with me in considering the suggested
further long postponement of the marriage unnecessary should her
health continue to suffer, especially as no reason is apparent
for such a prolongation of the engagement.
Believe me
Yours very truly
Mrs Parkinson
Copy of letter from the 2nd Baron to Mrs Parkinson:
August 4th 1887
Dear Mrs Parkinson,
I have had a long talk with my Grandson this morning, and under
all the circumstances have agreed that the marriage should take
place at an earlier period than June next if a satisfactory
arrangement of settlements can be made.
I will therefore propose that my agent Mr Brown should meet some
one on the part of Miss Harman's Trustees to try and arrange
matters.
I am glad to hear from my Grandson that Miss Harman is better,
With kind regards
Believe me
Yours very truly
Heytesbury
Letter from Mrs Parkinson to 2nd Baron
August 8th 1887
Easthill
Frome
Somerset
Dear Lord Heytesbury,
Thank you for your letter acquiescing to the marriage at an
earlier date than next June. The young people are now full of
their plans but I have warned them that settlements cannot be
arranged in a day, indeed my daughter's lawyer and trustee, Mr
Hulbert is at present in Switzerland so that I fear they must
wait his return in about five weeks before anything can be done -
If your agent Mr Brown will then call on Mr J H Hulbert, No 10
New Square, Lincoln's Inn he will I am sure be happy to see him.
With kind regards
Mrs Parkinson
Letter from Brown to 2nd Baron:
Bailey, Norman & Brown
8 Spring Gardens, London, SW
29th October 1887
My Lord,
This morning at 10:30 I saw Mr William à Court in consultation
with Mr Stonebridge, and we went through the points on which I
had the opportunity of consulting your Lordship with Colonel à
Court2 yesterday. Afterwards Mr Stonebridge saw Mr Hulbert.
It is evident that no outstanding security in the legal sense can
be given by Mrs Parkinson for payment of the £150 a year. Mrs
Parkinson will be advised to give the covenant as a guarantee,
but this practically has nothing more than moral force. I cannot
see that more can be done on this hand. Mr William thinks that
Mrs Parkinson will duly fulfil this obligation. She will no doubt
try to do so, but if pressed by other demands her power to do so
may fail. As I told your Lordship there would be no power of
making any part of Miss Harman's prospective future fortune
available to secure the £150.
As regards the abatement of the jointure in the case of the
withdrawal of any part of the fortune on a second marriage, I
enclose a memo showing what Mr Hulbert will advise. Your Lordship
will see that he now approves of the jointure abating. The third
clause of the memo makes clear what your Lordship asked would be
the case in the event of there being no children of a second
marriage. If your Lordship should approve, I would still try to
get the final words underlined in red ink struck out.
Mr William à Court is at Richmond, and will call here again on
Monday forenoon. I may be in possession of your Lordship's views
by that time.
I am,
Your Lordship's most
Faithful Servant
<?> Brown
The Right Honourable
The Lord Heytesbury
Attached memo:
1. If there should be no more than three children of the intended
marriage the power to withdraw should be limited to 1/2 of the
lady's fortune, if more than three children then to 1/3rd.
2. The jointure to abate in similar proportion that is to say to
be reduced by 1/2 in the case first supposed and by 1/3rd in the
second.
3. If there should be no child of a second marriage then the
entirety of the capital to revert to the children of the first
marriage subject to any life interest given to a future husband.
Copy of letter from 2nd Baron to Brown (undated)
Edward and I have given your letter much consideration as if it
is alleged Mrs Parkinson cannot give a legal security for the
payment of £150 a year to Miss Harman it is a question if the
marriage must be given up. However as matters are gone so far I
am unwilling at once to take that course, and make a list of
questions to see the amount of security that can be obtained. If
you are unable to obtain satisfactory replies I see no use in
further negotiations.
If my Grandson marries upon my allowance of £800 a year, and
<?> are not bound to continue the allowance of £150 per
annum bad times and other circumstances may occur which may
prevent them, however willing, from doing so. He may be stranded
with a wife and children to support and to this I cannot consent.
Letter from Brown to 2nd Baron:
Bailey, Norman & Brown
8 Spring Gardens, London, SW
31st October 1887
My Lord,
I received your Lordship's letter with enquiries this morning,
the letter I return with answers written on the back. It is
evident that no legal security can be got in support of what will
practically be Mrs Parkinson's promise to pay £150, or rather
for the present £110, being the amount in excess of the £40 now
paid to Miss Harman.
I have told Mr William your Lordship's view, as he is going
direct to Heytesbury I have asked him to take this letter.
I feel deeply sorry that things are in their present position. Of
course to break off the matter now would be most painful, but
where your Lordship is going to secure £800 <?> it is
especially to be felt that the other £150 should be equally
secured. Mr William feels that Mrs Parkinson will pay and if her
income is properly managed she certainly should do so.
Mr William repeats the pledge he has given your Lordship that he
will not borrow and his plans seem to be economically made. As a
mere matter of business the fact of Mr William having an absolute
reversion3 no doubt makes him more inclined to marry - with
regard to the £150 a year, the unfortunate thing is that no
postponement of the marriage will make it possible to give
security as things are.
I am
Your Lordship's faithful Servant
George Brown <?>
The Right Honourable
The Lord Heytesbury
Questions and answers:
1. Has Mr Parkinson a life interest in Mrs Parkinson's fortune
after her death? If so he must give a covenant to continue the
allowance of £150 a year after her death.
It is understood that Mr Parkinson only has a life interest in
part of the funds amounting to about £200 a year in the whole.
Therefore on Mrs Parkinson's death Miss Harman would come into
her fortune very much in excess of the £150 a year. No covenant
would in this case be needed.
2. Will Mr Parkinson join with Mrs Parkinson in the covenant to
pay £150 a year now? Or is Mrs Parkinson's income entirely in
her own control for her own use irrespective of her husband?
Mrs Parkinson's income is entirely upon to and under her own
control. Mr Parkinson would probably decline and Miss Harman's
<?> do not wish to ask him.
3. Will Mrs Parkinson give a permanent written instruction, and
agree it to be signed by Mr Parkinson, to her Bankers to pay £150
a year to Mr à Court in such terms and at such time as may be
agreed? Such sums to be the first claim on her income, that is to
say if Mrs Parkinson draws her income half yearly half the £150
to be set aside at the time for Mr à Court, and paid over. Are
the allowances to be in advance?
An order to the bankers would have no more effect than a covenant,
and it would be better if the covenant is to be taken to <......?>
Mrs Parkinson has a banking account.
Letter to 2nd Baron from Stonbridge:
19 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London, W.C.
November 8th 1887
My Lord,
The negotiations for the settlement to be made upon the marriage
of W à Court with Miss M. A. Harman having been brought to a
close this morning I now send enclosed herewith for consideration
by your Lordship
1. Draft of a disentailing deed of the Wiltshire Estates.
2. Draft Re Settlement.
The effect of Deed No.1 will be to bar Mr à Court's estate in
tail (not absolutely but for the purposes only of the Re-Settlement)
and to limit the Estates to such uses as your Lordship and Mr à
Court shall by deed jointly appoint, and subject thereto to
restore the uses at present subsisting.
The effect of deed No.2 will be to execute the joint power to the
extent of securing to Mr à Court his executors administrators
and assigns during the life of your Lordship a yearly rent charge
of £300 payable quarterly; and further of enabling Mr à Court
to appoint to any lady whom he may marry a jointure to become
payable after the decease of the survivor of himself and your
Lordship, not exceeding in the whole during the life of the Hon
Mrs Isabella Sophia Holmes à Court £400 per annum, and after
her death £500 per annum; and subject to those charges to
restore the joint power of appointment and the previously
subsisting uses.
These two deeds when forfeited will enable Mr à Court to carry
into effect his part of the treaty for the marriage settlement,
the draft of which deed is now in preparation by the lady's
solicitors. That draft will also be also be submitted for
approval, and care will be taken to ascertain that it embodies
the terms and conditions which have been arranged.
The disentailing deed and Re Settlement of the Estates need not
be executed until the marriage settlement has been settled and
approved.
For your Lordship's convenience I send an envelope for the return
of the drafts to my firm.
I have the honour to be
My Lord
Your Lordship's most obedient Servant
Harry Stonbridge
The Right Honourable
The Lord Heytesbury
Heytesbury
Wilts
1 Information on the mortgage found in papers in packet 1 in
strongbox 4 of the Heytesbury papers.
2 Lieutenant Colonel Edward Alexander Holmes à Court, Willie's
uncle
3 reversion - dictionary definition: an interest in an estate
that reverts to the grantor (or his heirs) at the end of some
period (e.g. the death of the grantee)