Three MS Letters of Elizabeth Craven

 Three manuscript letters of Elizabeth Craven came on the market and were sold privately during 2022. They appear to be written from Benham in the period shortly before she left England.

They have been cut from an album in which they were mounted. One is addressed to a Mrs Roe and asks her to buy flannel (a warm soft material) in Newbury, the nearest town to Benham, for a garment that will be a gift for a Miss Bentham.

The next has no addressee's name and apologizes for not having yet thanked him for the gift of a piano, nor having yet had time to play it, because of the excitement of her son Keppel's long expected return to England. Her "niece Arundell" is also imminently expected, with her husband. It invites the addressee to call on her at any time.

The earliest possible date for this second letter is 1811, when Elizabeth Craven's niece Mary Anne Nugent-Temple-Grenville, daughter of her younger sister Mary, married James Everard Arundell, 10th Baron Arundell of Wardour. And the most likely date is August 1813,when her son Keppel returned to England after a lengthy absence in Turkey and the near East, where he had been on an archaeological expedition with his friend Gell. 

The third letter could be addressed to the same person, and apologizes that she may not be at home when he arrives, as she is unwell and going to see a Doctor Hackett. Nevertheless she invites him to come even when she is absent and assures him that another house guest, Major Roper, will welcome him until she returns. The extreme casualness of these two notes, and the fact that the friend is rich enough to have given her a piano, suggest that she could be writing to William Beckford, who shared her passion for music.

Vendors's description:

"The three items are laid down with eight other items (see the end of this description) on pieces of paper cut down from two leaves of an album. Somewhat discoloured with age, but in fair overall condition. The recipient or recipients of the second and third letters (laid down on the same piece of paper) are not named, although the third is written to a member of her fishing gentry . All three letters are signed Elizabeth . The second letter contains a reference to her son Keppel Richard Craven (1799-1851), who has his own entry in the Oxford DNB.

 ONE: Dated Tuesday . Begins: Dr. Mrs. Roe - / I ll thank you to see in Newbury if thers [sic] any fine sort of flannel - Look at them as for yourself - if you can get me some Patterns - I ll call this Evening between Six & Seven - if you know of any good Mantua Maker - & appoint her about that [hour?] - it is something I want made for Miss Bentham - I hope you caught no cold last night . 

TWO: Begins: I have not had Time to thank you for the Piano - which is Dumb[.] Keppel is around {{NB I THINK IT SAYS ARRIV'D}} in London - & I may Expect him any moment - & my niece Arundell - if we are not all Killed by the Thunder . She ends by stating that she will be glad to see the receipient whenever you can come to me .

 THREE: Reads: I am oblig d to go to Southampton to Consult Hacket, being very unwell - I return tomorrow - I have told Major Roper who remains here with his Daughter that my fishing gentry were to Come & so he will receive you as if I was at Home .

On the reverse of the piece of paper which the first letter is attached to are laid down eight items, including a note in the third person by Lord Redesdale ( on Batsford Park letterhead), the 1866 signature of Lord Rollo, two fragments with signature of Lord Lifford, and the front of a letter said to be addressed in the autograph of Agnes Strickland. Seller Inventory # 24235""