Letters to Sal Tuite, c.1795-1822 & n.d. (188, including 42 in the hand of Richard...

Melesina Trench, formerly St George, wrote to her cousin Sarah [known as Sal] Tuite from at least 1796 until 1822. There are around 144 letters surviving in 24M93/42/33, and this list, made by volunteers, provides a summary of the contents of each letter, picking out noteworthy items

Please note that the letters have been edited for publication, after Melesina's death, by her son Richard Chenevix Trench, who has written in pen on many of the letters and deleted passages; and by a later descendant, R A Austen-Leigh, who wrote in pencil. No attempt has been made to remove these markings, as they form part of the history of the letters

Items of particular interest in the collection

Melesina mixed with the highest class of society in Bath, London and Dublin, in addition to Prussia (now Germany/Austria) and France. Her letters include many references to famous individuals with whom she had conversations, including:

Anna Seward (24M93/42/33/6 and 8);

The Prince of Wales, later George IV (24M93/42/33/14);

Lady Jersey, the Prince's mistress (24M93/42/33/15, 20 and 28);

Samuel Rogers (24M93/42/33/19);

Hudson Gurney (24M93/42/33/51);

The Holy Roman Emperor and Empress (24M93/33/65);

Admiral Horatio Nelson and Lady Hamilton (24M93/42/33/73);

Sarah Siddons (24M93/42/33/90 and 103-107) and Napoleon Bonaparte (24M93/42/33/111)