Correspondents in The Hamilton Papers Edition
Correspondents
Writers and recipients of correspondence.
Last revised 12 April 2023.
- Dates: 1748 – 1836
- Aka: Mrs Astley
- Biography: Anne Astley was a clergyman's daughter who entered Mary Delany's service as her waiting-woman. She was regarded more as a 'dame de compagnie' than a servant. She was acquainted with the Dewes family. She married Thomas Agnew (1752-1824) in 1791 and worked as housekeeper at Mrs Delany's former house in Windsor after Delany's death in 1788.
- Project ID: AnA
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: CMA
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: GAlb
- Dates: 1754 – 1830
- Aka: Miss Gregory; Mrs Alison
- VIAF; ODNB
- Project ID: DG
- Dates: ? – ?
- Aka: Revd William Antrobus
- Biography: Little is known about the family or early life of Reverend William Antrobus. He attended St John’s College, Cambridge, where he earned a Bachelor of Divinity and a Masters. He was an acquaintance of Sir William Wake (the younger). He was also a tutor of Thomas Dawson Junior, Lady Dartrey’s son. Antrobus was a committed member of the church and was ordained as a deacon and later a priest.
- Project ID: WAn
- Dates: ? – ?
- Aka: Miss Argill
- Project ID: AmArg
- Dates: 14 August 1747 – 28 September 1806
- Wikipedia
- Project ID: AugSG
- Dates: 26 June 1763 – 1839
- Project ID: JaBal
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: SBa
- Dates: ? – 1770
- Variant spellings: Ann
- Project ID: AnnB
- Dates: 26 May 1753 – 20 February 1807
- Aka: Mrs Beauvoir
- Brit. Travel Writing
- Biography: Mary Beauvoir was born on 26th May 1753, only daughter of the MP Fane William Sharpe. In 1782, Mary married Dr Osmund Beauvoir; after his death in 1789, she later remarried to Dr Andrew Douglas in 1791. She had a close relationship with the author Elizabeth Carter, moving in her bluestocking literary circles, and the two women would often travel together. Mary’s second husband, Dr Andrew Douglas, was a brother-in-law of Elizabeth Carter and her physician too. In 1792, the Douglases took a trip to Switzerland and Italy for medicine that would help a health complaint that Mary suffered from, and on their way back they travelled through revolutionary France, documenting their experiences in ‘Notes of a Journey’. Mary died on 20th February 1807. Mary Sharpe and Mary Hamilton were acquaintances from their youth. They wrote to each other about literature, and Sharpe would often invite Hamilton to the theatre. Hamilton confided her unhappiness at Court to Sharpe, and Sharpe wrote at length about her ties with Elizabeth Carter. Around 1789, the two had a disagreement, and the friendship was ended.
- Project ID: MSB
- Dates: 16 March 1754 – ?
- Aka: Mrs Beet
- Variant spellings: Beete; Beate; Beat
- Project ID: MrsB
- Dates: 11 February 1715 – 17 July 1785
- Aka: Lady Margaret Harley; Duchess of Portland; Dowager Duchess of Portland
- VIAF; ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: MCP
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: RuBent
- Dates: 26 June 1776 – 1 February 1823
- Aka: Robert Henry Peckwell; Robert Henry Blosset
- VIAF; Wikisource; Wikipedia
- Project ID: RHB
- Dates: 3 October 1739 – 1811
- Aka: Mrs Blosset
- Biography: Dorothy Blosset was born c.1739 to Salomon Stephen Blosset and Elizabeth Dorothy le Coq de St Leger. She had three sisters and one brother; she was the eldest sibling. The Blossets were a prominent Huguenot family, with Salomon and his father having been generals in the French Wars of Religion. The family fled their home in Nivernais, France, because of persecution from French Catholics in the early 1730s and settled in Britain. Dorothy was born in Dublin, Ireland. Dorothy became a woman of the bedchamber for Dowager Princess of Wales c.1780. She died without marrying or having children on 11th April 1811. Mary and Dorothy met at Court ,and when Mary left, they wrote frequently and extensively to each other. Recurrent topics included Literature and Theatre, and the two women had many mutual acquaintances and attended many of the same parties.
- Project ID: DBl
- Dates: 23 July 1719 – 26 February 1805
- Aka: Mrs Boscawen
- VIAF; ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: FEB
- Dates: ? – ?
- Aka: The Miss Boswells
- Project ID: Boswells
- Dates: 10 February 1722 – 20 March 1810
- Aka: Mr Butin
- Variant spellings: Butin
- VIAF; Wikipedia
- Project ID: ChBou
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: EBow
- Dates: ? – ?
- Biography: Lucretia Charlotte Susanna Douglas-Hamilton was born in 1783 to Charles Powell Hamilton and Lucretia Prosser. In 1828 she married Captain Stephen Briggs. They had one daughter, Helen Eliza Hamilton Briggs. Douglas-Hamilton was a cousin of Mary Hamilton’s and was asked to be a bridesmaid at Hamilton’s daughter’s wedding. Douglas-Hamilton died in 1848.
- Project ID: LCSH
- Dates: ? – ?
- Aka: Monsieur Bruyêres; Mr Bruyêres; Mr Bruyeres
- Biography: Mr John Bruyêres was a tutor to the royal princes and wrote to Mary Hamilton several times in 1781 on professional matters.
- Project ID: MrBr
- Dates: 1730 – 1811
- Project ID: AmBu
- Dates: 1733 – 1 July 1786
- Aka: Rev. Dr Burrows; 'The Bluestocking Boswell'
- Variant spellings: Burrowses
- Biography: Reverend John Burrows was born in 1733. In 1762 he married Maria Smith. His social circle consisted of such bluestockings as Hannah More and Hester Chapone. He recorded many of the conversations that he heard and participated in bluestocking gatherings. Burrows was the tutor of Matthew Montagu, the nephew of Elizabeth Montagu, and Richard Dawson, the son of Lady Dartrey. He was Rector of St Clement’s Danes in London and Hadley in Middlesex. Burrows died in 1786.
- Project ID: JoBu
- Dates: ? – ?
- Biography: Eugenia Josephine Wynne was the daughter of Richard Wynn of Folkingham and Agathe Camille de Royer. She had four sisters, including Harriet Hamilton and Elizabeth Fremantle, who, like Wynne, were diarists. In 1806 Wynne married Robert Campbell, 10th Laird of Skipness. They had three sons and one daughter.
- Project ID: EJCWyn
- Dates: 17 May 1768 – 7 August 1821
- Aka: Duchess of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel; Caroline, Princess
- VIAF; Wikipedia
- Project ID: CBPW
- Dates: 1762 – 14 December 1847
- Aka: Lady Cathcart
- Biography: Elizabeth Elliot was born c.1762 to Elizabeth Plumsted and Andrew Elliot, lieutenant-governor of New York. In 1779 she married William Schaw, 1st Earl Cathcart. The couple had 9 children. William Schaw was the son of Mary Hamilton’s aunt, Lady Jean Cathcart. Elliot served as a lady of the bed-chamber to Queen Charlotte and lady-in-waiting to three of the princesses. She died in 1847.
- Project ID: ECath
- Dates: 19 August 1726 – 13 November 1771
- Aka: Lady Cathcart
- Variant spellings: Jean
- VIAF
- Project ID: JC
- Dates: bapt. 25 July 1764 – 16 October 1841
- Wikisource
- Biography: Reverend Hon. Archibald Hamilton Cathcart was born in 1764 to Sir Charles Schaw, 9th Lord Cathcart, and Jean Hamilton. He was Mary Hamilton’s cousin and correspondent. They wrote about family news. In 1790 he married Frances Henrietta Fremantle. They had three daughters together. Cathcart was an army officer and MP. He was also a Church of England Clergyman — rector of Methley, Vicar of Kippax, York, and Prebendary of York. He died in 1841.
- Project ID: AHC
- Dates: 7 June 1757 – 30 March 1806
- Aka: The Hon. Georgiana Spencer; Lady Spencer; Duchess of Devonshire; Lady Cavendish
- VIAF; Wikisource; ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: GCav
- Dates: 4 September 1748 – 13 June 1823
- Aka: Viscount Cranborne; Lord Salisbury; 1st Marquess of Salisbury
- Wikipedia; BM
- Project ID: JCec
- Dates: 1742 – 18 June 1807
- Aka: Mrs Cheveley; Chi-Chi; CheChe
- Variant spellings: Chevely
- Biography: Louisa Laetitia Niven started work in 1771 at the Royal Household of King George III and Queen Charlotte. Initially a wet-nurse for Prince Ernest Augustus, she continued as a sub-governess at Court until her decision to leave and keep her own house sometime after 1782. Her father was John Niven, who had been a page at Court since 1748, and her younger sister also worked at Court. She married Jernigham Cheverly around 1770. Louisa became good friends with Mary Hamilton, a fellow sub-governess, and the two continued to correspond once they had left the Royal Court.
- Project ID: LNC
- Dates: bapt. 27 February 1750 – ?
- Aka: Nanny
- Biography: Anna Maria Clarke was born in Northampton c.1750. She was one of three sisters, the other two being Catherine and Isabella Clarke. Little is known about her parents or her early life, and she would never marry. She dedicated her time to her publishing and writing work, despite having several bouts of illness in midlife. The two women lived together from 1783 to 1785 in Clarges Street, London. She remained one of Mary Hamilton’s close friends throughout her life. They often corresponded about theatre shows and concerts, as well as works of literature. Anna Maria also maintained extremely close relations with Miss Mary Glover.
- Project ID: AMC
- Dates: 29 May 1749 – not before 25 July 1819
- Aka: Bell; Dumb-Bell; the Eldest; the perverse one
- Biography: Isabella Clarke was born in 1749. She was one of three sisters, the other two being Anna Maria and Catherine Clarke. Little is known about her parents or her early life. Along with her sister Anna Maria, Isabella Clarke lived with Mary Hamilton between 1783 and 1785 on Clarges Street in London. Evidence from Hamilton's diaries and letters suggests that Clarke was partially deaf.
- Project ID: IsCl
- Dates: 23 February 1731 – 30 June 1809
- Aka: Lady Louisa Clayton
- Biography: Louisa Fermor was born in 1731 to Thomas Fermor, 1st Earl of Pomfret, and Henrietta Louisa née Jeffreys, who were both courtiers. She was the sister of Lady Charlotte Finch, governess to the children of George III, who knew Mary Hamilton through her time at Court. Fermor married William Clayton in 1767, becoming his third wife. They had a son, George, and a daughter, Amelia Anne. They lived at Harleyford Manor, Buckinghamshire. Fermor died in 1809.
- Project ID: LLC
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: HComp
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: MCorb
- Dates: ? – ?
- Aka: Miss Dacres
- Project ID: MissDac
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: EDarn
- Dates: 5 January 1740 – 14 April 1826
- Aka: Lady Cremorne; Baroness Cremorne; Lady Dartrey; Baroness Dartrey
- Biography: Philadelphia Hannah Freame was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1740 to Margaret Penn and Thomas Freame. Margaret was the daughter of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, and Thomas was the nephew of John Freame, a co-founder of Barclays Bank. In 1770, Philadelphia married the Irish quaker and politician Thomas Dawson, Earl of Dartrey, and they had two children together, Julia and Thomas, both of whom died in 1787 at young ages. It was Thomas Dawson’s second marriage. On 28 May 1770, shortly after their marriage, Thomas Dawson was created Baron Dartrey and thus she became known as Lady Dartrey. From 1783 onwards, she was known as Lady Cremorne. She become acquainted with Mary Hamilton during her time as a Lady-in-waiting to Queen Charlotte, and the two continued to write and meet in person after Mary left Court. They went on trips together, exchanged gossip of mutual friends such as Princess Dashkova and wrote much about books. For long periods, Philadelphia suffered from an eye complaint and so dictated many letters to her servant, Mrs Palfrey. She died in 1826.
- Project ID: PHD
- Dates: 6 September 1777 – 7 June 1787
- Aka: Juliana
- Biography: Julia Dawson was born in 1777 to Lady Dartrey and Thomas Dawson. Her mother was a close correspondent of Mary Hamilton’s, and Julia herself wrote a letter to Hamilton at a young age. In 1787 she became ill with a cough and died within that year.
- Project ID: JuDa
- Dates: 25 February 1725 – 1 March 1813
- Aka: 1st and last Viscount Cremorne; Lord Cremorne; Lord Dartrey; Baron Dartrey
- VIAF; Wikipedia
- Project ID: ThDa
- Dates: 1740 – 1810
- Aka: Mr Turbulent' in FB's court journal
- VIAF
- Project ID: ChdG
- Dates: 21 August 1737 – 1794
- Aka: Madame de la Fite
- VIAF; Wikipedia
- Project ID: MLF
- Dates: 10 August 1757 – 27 August 1818
- Project ID: EEdS
- Dates: 15 August 1741 – 18 January 1819
- Aka: Mrs De Salis
- Variant spellings: Harriet
- Peerage
- Biography: Julia Henrietta Blosset, known as Harriet, was born in 1741. She was the daughter of Solomon Stephen Blosset of Dublin and Meath, and Elizabeth Dorothy Le Coq St. Leger. In 1768 she was led to believe that she would be married to Sir Joseph Banks once he returned from his journey on the Endeavour. However, by his return in 1771 he had changed his mind. In 1775 she married Henry Jerome de Salis and in 1779 they had their only child, a daughter called Henrietta, who died in 1785. Blosset was friends with Mary Hamilton. They wrote about family and friends, politics and literature. She died in 1819.
- Project ID: JHdeS
- Dates: 20 August 1740 – 2 May 1810
- Aka: Dr de Salis; Count of the Holy Roman Empire; Rev Henry Jerome De Salis
- Wikisource; Wikipedia
- Project ID: HJdeS
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: IdTr
- Dates: 1707 – 1761
- Project ID: AGD
- Dates: 1743 – 1793
- Aka: Mr B. Dewes
- Variant spellings: Dews
- Biography: Bernard Dewes was born in 1743. He was the second son of John Dewes and Anne Granville — his siblings were Mary, Court and John. Dewes was the nephew of Mary Delaney, who he would meet with regularly and on occasion get advice from. Dewes would write to Mary Hamilton about the health of his aunt. In 1776 he married Anne Delabere. They had five children, including Court and Anne. After Delabere’s death in 1780, Dewes married Judith Beresford. They settled in Hagley in Worcestershire. In 1793 Dewes' brother, Court, died and Dewes inherited his Wellesbourne estate, to which they relocated. He died in 1822.
- Project ID: BerD
- Dates: 1742 – 1793
- Aka: Sir Toby Fret
- Biography: Court Dewes was born in 1742 to John Dewes and Anne Granville. He was a nephew of Mary Delany and a popular figure at Court. He was educated at Balliol College, Oxford. He did not marry or have children, and he died at his Wellesbourne estate in Warwickshire in 1793. He was a frequent correspondent of Anna Seward, an English romantic poet, and a friend and neighbour of Samuel Parr, politician, solicitor and writer. Mary Hamilton met Court when she visited Mary Delany at Bulstrode. According to Mary’s diaries and letters, Delany wished her nephew Court and Mary to marry. Mary and Court did write to each other occasionally after their first meeting, often talking about mutual acquaintances and Mary’s family.
- Project ID: CD
- Dates: 28 December 1779 – 1848
- Biography: Court Dewes was born in 1779 to Bernard Dewes and Anne Delabere. His great-aunt was Mary Delany. Neither of his paternal uncles, Court and John, had children, and he was the major heir of both. On inheritance, he changed his surname to Granville. He married Maria Ferrers and they had three children. Dewes died in 1848.
- Project ID: CtDew
- Dates: 1726 – 1780
- Aka: Mrs Dickenson
- Biography: Sarah Chatham was the daughter of Thomas Chatham, from Mellor in Derbyshire. In 1752 she married John Dickenson (of Birch Hall, Manchester and Taxal, Derbyshire). They had three children, Sarah, Elizabeth and John (who later married Mary Hamilton). The family lived on their Taxal estate. Chatham was one of Mary Hamilton’s oldest friends. They met when Chatham went to Northampton to visit her cousins, the Lawtons. Their correspondence was about the Dickenson family and Hamilton’s studies. Chatham died in 1780.
- Project ID: SCD
- Dates: 15 June 1725 – 18 October 1810
- Aka: Mr Dickenson; Mr Dickenson Snr; Ampa; Granpa of Taxal; Grand (by Dorothy Blosset); the Guardian; Lord of the Manor of Taxal
- Biography: John Dickenson was born in 1725 to John Dickenson Senior and his wife Mary. In 1752 he married Sarah Chetham and they had three children, John, Sarah and Elizabeth. Dickenson's estates were Birch Hall, Manchester and Taxal in Derbyshire. Following the marriage of his son to Mary Hamilton, he handed over the Taxal estate to them. Dickenson was a highly regarded and well-liked man. He died in 1810.
- Project ID: JDS
- Dates: 22 May 1757 – 11 January 1842
- Aka: Mr Dickenson; Mr Dickenson Jnr; Mirander; the Dear Blackamoor; the King of Poland; l'Ami du Cœur
- Biography: John Dickenson was born in 1757. His father was John Dickenson Senior (of Birch Hall, Manchester and Taxal in Derbyshire) and his mother Sarah Chetham, an old correspondent of Mary Hamilton's. He had two sisters, Sarah and Elizabeth. Dickenson married Mary Hamilton in 1785, having proposed to her on a previous occasion in 1780, at which time he was rejected. His family was supportive of their marriage, and Dickenson, who was marrying into a higher social standing, was accepted by Hamilton’s social circles. He communicated often of his love for Hamilton, they also wrote about social engagements, hunting, literature and health matters, amongst other topics of discussion. In 1787 the two had a daughter, Louisa. Dickenson died in 1842.
- Project ID: JD
- Dates: 26 January 1787 – 25 July 1837
- Aka: Miss Dickenson; Little Missy (by Hannah More); Lou (by Dorothy Blosset)
- The Peerage
- Project ID: LD
- Dates: not after 1768 – not before 1836
- Aka: Miss Dickenson
- Biography: Sarah Dickenson was the daughter of John Dickenson Senior (of Birch Hall, Manchester and Taxal in Derbyshire) and Sarah Chetham, an old correspondent of Mary Hamilton's. Miss Sarah Dickenson was one of three children. Her brother, John Dickenson Junior, married Mary Hamilton in 1785. Hamilton was therefore Dickenson’s sister-in-law. Dickenson never married and appeared to be content with that. She was buried at her home, Birch Hall.
- Project ID: SD
- Dates: 1759 – May 1794
- Aka: Miss Gunning; Astrea
- Biography: Charlotte Margaret Gunning was born in Northampton in 1758 to Sir Richard Gunning, 1st Baronet and his second wife Anne (née Sutton). She had one sister, Barbara Evelyn Isabella and one brother, George William. Between 1780-94, she was a maid of honour to Queen Charlotte. In 1790, she married Honourable Colonel Stephen Digby, with whom she had one daughter, Isabella Margaret Digby. Charlotte died in 1794. Charlotte was a close friend of Mary Hamilton’s from court, continuing to correspond with her frequently after leaving court. They talked about literature, parties, and their romantic lives as well as health complaints.
- Project ID: CMG
- Dates: ? – 29 July 1783
- Biography: Miss Duckworth was likely a friend of Lady Dartrey’s. It appears it is through her that Duckworth knew Mary Hamilton. Duckworth died in 1783. No further information has yet been discovered.
- Project ID: MissDuck
- Dates: 2 November 1767 – 23 January 1820
- Aka: His Royal Highness The Prince Edward
- Variant spellings: Hanover; Edward Augustus
- VIAF; Wikisource; ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: PE
- Dates: 14 December 1724 – not before 15 November 1797
- Aka: Mrs Egerton of Berkeley Square
- Project ID: AEger
- Dates: 4 June 1751 – 1827
- Biography: Ariana Margaret Egerton was born in 1752 to William Egerton (c.1730-1783) and Mary Kirke (c.1730-1810) in Little Gaddeson, Hertfordshire England. Her father was an MP for Hindon, Cheshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme. She became a Maid of Honour to Augusta Dowager Princess of Wales in 1769. After Augusta died in 1772, Ariana held several roles in the royal household before becoming woman of the bedchamber for Queen Charlotte between 1786 and 1818. She never married or had any children and died in 1827. Ariana met Mary Hamilton at Court and the two ladies corresponded frequently, often about fashion, social events, and gatherings; Mary Hamilton once gave Ariana advice on how to respond to a letter received by a gentleman. In 1781 the two ladies did suffer a disagreement, however a month later it appears to have been forgotten and frequent correspondence continued.
- Project ID: AE
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: EEPlu
- Dates: 5 June 1771 – 18 November 1851
- Aka: King of Hanover; Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale
- Wikipedia
- Project ID: PrErn
- Dates: ? – ?
- VIAF
- Biography: John Farhill was born c.1755 and worked as a sub-governor to Prince Edward, son of Queen Charlotte and King George III. Little is known about Farhill’s early life; however, he is documented as having been working in the royal household by 1780. He is likely to have died sometime after 1810. Farhill and Mary Hamilton became acquainted around 1780, and their earliest extant letter refers to a gift of paint that he sent to Mary. A keen poet, John sent Mary many of his ideas and notes to read and give feedback on. However, after 1783 Mary seems to have dropped the friendship as John Farhill’s romantic interest in her became clear.
- Project ID: JFa
- Dates: 17 November 1748 – 20 February 1815
- Aka: Mrs Fielding; Finch Fielding(?); fatty Fielding
- Variant spellings: Feilding
- Biography: Sophia Finch was the daughter of William Finch and Charlotte Fermor. In 1772 she married Charles Fielding. They had four children. From 1779 until her death in 1815 she was a woman of the bedchamber to Queen Charlotte. In 1781 a ship she was on was captured by an American vessel and she was briefly taken prisoner. The situation was quickly recovered.
- Project ID: SF
- Dates: 14 February 1725 – 11 July 1813
- Aka: Royal governess of King George III's children; Perfecta
- VIAF; ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: CF
- Dates: 1751 – 1818
- Aka: Harriet
- Biography: Henrietta (Harriet) Finch was born in 1751 to William Finch and Lady Charlotte Fermor, governess to the daughters of George III. She travelled in Europe but missed England whilst she was away. Finch was a correspondent of Mary Hamilton’s, they wrote about social arrangements and the opera. Finch died in 1818.
- Project ID: HF
- Dates: 18 May 1760 – 1 June 1825
- Aka: Lady Elizabeth Mary Murray
- Wikipedia
- Project ID: EMFH
- Dates: 1748 – 8 May 1825
- Aka: Bishop of Salisbury; Bishop of Exeter
- Biography: John Fisher was born in 1748 to Reverend John Fisher and Elizabeth Laurens. He had one brother, George Bulsteel Fisher. He married Dorothea Freeston Scrivener in 1787 and the pair had three children. He held several positions of responsibility at the Court of King George III and Queen Charlotte, including: Preceptor to Prince Edward; Chaplain to the King; deputy clerk of the closet; and tutoring princess Elizabeth in drawing. He was later appointed superintendent of the education of Princess Charlotte of Wales. He became the Bishop of Salisbury in 1807, and was the Bishop of Exeter between 1803 and 1807. He died in 1825. Mary Hamilton and John Fisher became friends at Court and wrote to each other often. They wrote frequently on the theme of visual arts, especially poetry (as John’s bother was a poet), but also art and literature.
- Project ID: JoF
- Dates: 1773 – 19 September 1834
- Project ID: SCF
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: CFitz
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: FFitz
- Dates: ? – ?
- Biography: William Flint was associated with the Cathcart Family. He wrote a letter on behalf of Lord Charles Cathcart, 9th Lord, to Mary Catherine Dufresne. The letter informed Dufresne about the death of Lady Jane Cathcart.
- Project ID: WF
- Dates: bapt. 8 May 1774 – 7 April 1835
- Biography: Nina Herries was baptised in 1774. She was the illegitimate daughter of Sir Robert Herries and Martha Scott. Catherine Herries, her father’s wife, raised her as though she were her own daughter. Catherine was one of Mary Hamilton’s closest friends and Herries would write her own messages in Catherine’s letters to Hamilton. She would also write her step-mother's letters on her behalf when Catherine was unwell. In 1793 Herries married Captain Edward James Foote, Catherine’s brother. The couple had a son and two daughters. In 1801-2, when her husband was away in India, Herries had relations with Owen Jones and became pregnant with his child (who died as an infant in the Spring of 1803). Foote divorced her in 1803 so he could remarry. There was a court case, which Foote won — he was entitled to £5000. The divorce meant Herries and her step-mother became estranged from each other. Herries died in 1835.
- Project ID: NHF
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: HaFo
- Dates: 1703 – 24 March 1799
- Variant spellings: Forrester
- Biography: Mary Moore was born in 1703 to the Hon. Rev. Henry Moore. In 1759 she married Pulter Forester, Archdeacon of Buckingham. Moore was the godmother of Henry Longueville Mansel. She died in 1799.
- Project ID: MFor
- Dates: 29 February 1724 – 16 October 1822
- Aka: Eva Maria Violette; Eva Maria; Ava-Maria Mrs Garrick
- VIAF; ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: EMG
- Dates: ? – ?
- Biography: Emma Garrick was the niece of Eva Maria Garrick. She wrote to Mary Hamilton on behalf of her aunt. Any further information is yet to be identified.
- Project ID: EG
- Dates: 4 June 1738 – 29 January 1820
- Aka: King George III; The King; Osyiris; Osyris; Mar all
- VIAF; Wikisource; ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: KG
- Dates: 12 August 1762 – 26 June 1830
- Aka: King George IV; Prince of Wales; Palemon; young Mar-all; Prince of Scotland; Duke of Rothsay
- VIAF; Wikisource; ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: GPW
- Dates: 1733 – 1811
- Aka: Mrs Nestor
- GPR — Eleanor Glover
- Biography: Eleanor Lenton was born c.1733. She married Richard Glover, as his second wife, in 1770. They had a daughter. Richard Glover had a previous child, Richard Glover Junior, he and Lenton were not close. Mary Hamilton considered Richard Glover a second father and this closeness extends to Lenton as she appears to be somewhat of a maternal figure to Hamilton. Lenton writes to Hamilton about topics such as Richard Glover’s health and her charitable work. Lenton died in 1811.
- Project ID: EGl
- Dates: 9 February 1767 – 1819
- Aka: Miss Glover; Miss Nestor
- Biography: Mary Glover was born in 1767. She was the illegitimate daughter of the writer and politician Richard Glover. In 1787 she married Henry Halsey. He already had two illegitimate children, who Glover liked and attended to. Hamilton was a close friend of Glover’s and Glover confided in her about this. Glover's sympathy towards Halsey's children may relate to her own experience of having step-mother, Eleanor Glover (née Lentos), who treated Glover as a daughter. Glover’s father passed away in 1785 and left her his papers. Following this, she dedicated her time to getting his work published. She died in 1819.
- Project ID: MGl
- Dates: 1740 – 1816
- Aka: Miss Goldsworthy
- Biography: Martha Carolina Goldsworthy was born c.1740 to Philippa Vanbrugh and Burrington Goldsworthy. Burrington had held the position of English consul at Leghorn and Cadiz. She had one brother; Phillip, who was the Equerry to King George III from 1779. She dedicated most of her life to working at the Royal Court with the Royal Children. She was well-liked in the Royal Household and seems to have been much more popular amongst the Royal children than her counterpart, Miss Gomm. Although she never married or had children, she established a household with Miss Gomm to look after the children of her brother, William Gomm, after his death. Martha died in 1816. Like Mary Hamilton, Martha was a sub-governess, the two continued to correspond frequently after Mary left court. They often sent letters with gossip as well as advice on royal etiquette.
- Project ID: MCG
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: HGran
- Dates: August 1760 – 22 April 1838
- Aka: Lady Warwick; Countess of Warwick
- Biography: Henrietta Vernon was born in 1760 to Richard Vernon and Evelyn Leveson-Gower. In 1776 she married George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick at Whitehall. She was his second wife. This marriage may have been a means for George Greville to repay the debt he owed Henrietta Greville’s father, as the marriage settlement agreed Richard Vernon be paid £200 each year. The couple had nine children. Greville’s husband was the cousin of Mary Hamilton. Greville died in 1783.
- Project ID: HGW
- Dates: 16 September 1746 – 2 May 1816
- Aka: Lord Greville; 2nd Earl of Warwick
- VIAF; ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: GGW
- Dates: 3 February 1751 – 27 April 1824
- Aka: Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Fulke Greville; Colonel Greville
- VIAF; Wikipedia
- Project ID: RFG
- Dates: 15 February 1763 – 7 April 1823
- Aka: ?Benedict
- Wikipedia
- Project ID: GWG
- Dates: 8 June 1731 – 22 September 1816
- Aka: Sir Robert Gunning
- ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: RGu
- Dates: ? – 1789
- Aka: Mrs Hagedorn
- Variant spellings: Hagerdon; Hagerdorn
- Biography: Johanna Louisa Hagedorn was a friend of Mary Hamilton’s from court. In 1761, along with Elizabeth Juliana Schwellenberg, she accompanied (the soon to be) Queen Charlotte from Germany to England, for her wedding to King George III. From 1778 Hagedorn was the second Keeper of the Queen’s robes, still working alongside Schwellenberg. Hagerdorn left the position in 1786 as she was unwell and her eyesight was deteriorating. Her successor, Frances Burney, was supposedly warned of the cruelty Schwellenberg displayed towards Hagedorn, and told Hagerdorn's poor eyesight was a result of Schwellenberg’s insistence that the windows stay down when they travelled together, no matter the weather conditions. Hagerdorn died in 1789.
- Project ID: JLH
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: ThHals
- Dates: 1738 – 25 August 1782
- Aka: Catherine Barlow; Lady Catherine Hamilton
- VIAF
- Biography: Catherine Barlow was born in 1738. In 1758 she married Sir William Hamilton. It was a childless marriage. In 1764 he was appointed as British Ambassador to the court of Naples and Barlow moved to Naples with him. She was a talented musician who played the spinet, harpsichord and piano. Leopold Mozart praised her musical talent. She was a correspondent of Mary Hamilton's and her aunt through marriage. Barlow died in 1782.
- Project ID: CaH
- Dates: 1739 – 22 January 1807
- Aka: Mrs Hamilton
- Biography: Rachel Daniel was born c.1739. Little is known about her family or early life. In 1757 she married Frederick Hamilton (Mary Hamilton’s uncle). The couple had three children, Elizabeth, Jane, and Robert. Daniel died in 1807.
- Project ID: RDH
- Dates: ? – 29 November 1778
- Aka: Mrs Hamilton; Mrs Charles Hamilton
- Variant spellings: De Fresne
- Biography: Mary Catherine Dufresne was the daughter of Colonel Dufresne, who was the aide-de-camp to Lord Archibald Hamilton. She was married to Charles Hamilton. In 1756 they had their only child, Mary Hamilton. When her husband died in 1771, Dufresne and her daughter moved to Northamptonshire and later London. Relatives and other guardians assisted Dufresne in raising the young Mary Hamilton. In her later life she was cared for by her daughter and her daughter’s friends Caterina and Anna Maria Clarke. She died in 1778.
- Project ID: MCH
- Dates: not before 24 January 1732, not after 24 January 1733 – 24 January 1800
- Aka: the Hon. Mrs Hamilton; Mrs Hamilton of Taplow
- Biography: Elizabeth Onslow was born in 1732 to Richard Onslow, MP, and Pooley Walton. Her husband was George Hamilton, canon of Windsor. George was the cousin of Charles Hamilton (Mary Hamilton’s father). The couple had ten children. Onslow died in 1800.
- Project ID: EOH
- Dates: 1784 – ?
- VIAF
- Project ID: HaH
- Dates: bapt. 7 December 1733 – 20 December 1790
- Aka: Lady Argyll; Duchess of Argyll; 1st Baroness Hamilton of Hameldon
- Variant spellings: Argyle; Argill
- VIAF; Wikisource; Wikipedia; ODNB
- Project ID: EHC
- Dates: 1673 – 1754
- Project ID: LArchH
- Dates: 29 October 1721 – 10 September 1771
- Biography: Charles Hamilton was born in 1721. His father was Lord Archibald Hamilton. Hamilton was a soldier. He was married to Mary Catherine Dufresne. They had their only child, Mary, in 1756. In 1771, when his daughter was 15, Charles Hamilton died.
- Project ID: ChH
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: EHamilton
- Dates: 1728 – 19 February 1811
- Aka: my/your Uncle; Uncle Frederick; The Priest
- Biography: Frederick Hamilton was born in 1728 to Lord Archibald and Lady Jane Hamilton. He was the brother of Mary Hamilton’s father and was thus her uncle. He dedicated much of his life to the church and was Vicar of Wellingborough and Archdeacon of Raphoe. However he wished for further progression within the church and became frustrated. He married Rachel Daniel in 1757, with whom he had three children. He had a negative opinion of his son Robert, who was constantly in debt. Distress was also caused by his daughters' (Elizabeth's and Jane's) marriages. He was a frequent correspondent of both his niece Mary Hamilton and her husband John Dickenson. He lived in Ireland for much of his life before moving to England. He died in 1811 in Bath.
- Project ID: FH
- Dates: ? – ?
- Aka: Miss M. Hamilton
- Biography: Ms Hamilton was a guest at Louisa Dickenson’s wedding. Any further information is yet to be identified.
- Project ID: MHa
- Dates: 5 February 1756 – 25 May 1816
- Aka: Miss Hamilton; Miranda; Mrs Dickenson; Mary Dickenson; Hammie
- VIAF; ODNB
- Project ID: MH
- Dates: not before 1750 – ?
- Biography: Charlotte Packe was the daughter of Charles-James Packe and Charlotte Pochin. In 1778 she married William Hanbury of Kelmarsh. They had two sons, William and John, and a daughter, Anne. Packe died in 1815.
- Project ID: CPH
- Dates: ? – 1789
- Aka: Mrs Handcock
- Variant spellings: Hancock
- Biography: Miss Handcock was the daughter of William Handcock (senior) and Susan Warburton. It appears she never married. In later life she lived with Elizabeth Vesey, her friend and sister in law (through Elizabeth’s first marriage to Miss Handcock’s brother William). Both Elizabeth Vesey and Miss Handcock were friends of Mary Hamilton. Miss Handcock died in 1789.
- Project ID: MRSHdk
- Dates: 11 May 1744 – 6 February 1825
- Aka: Lady Harpur
- VIAF
- Biography: Frances Elizabeth Greville was born in 1744 to Francis Greville and Elizabeth Hamilton. She was therefore the cousin of Mary Hamilton and they wrote to each other frequently. They write about topics such as family, friends, charity and religion. In 1762 she married Sir Henry Harpur, 6th Baronet and owner of Calke Abbey. They had children together, including Henry Harpur (later Crewe), who was born In 1763. Greville died in 1825.
- Project ID: FGH
- Dates: ? – 7 July 1803
- Aka: Mrs Hartley
- VIAF
- Project ID: MHar
- Dates: 1762 – 4 January 1808
- Aka: Lady Herries
- Biography: Lady Catherine Herries Foote was the daughter of Reverend Francis Hender Foote and Catherine Mann. Her first marriage was to Colonel John Ross of Cromarty. After she was widowed, she remarried in 1777 to Sir Robert Herries. She resided at her home on St James Street in London and hosted her own salon. Foote and Mary Hamilton were close correspondents and wrote about gossip and general news. However, in later years (c.1791) the correspondence appears to have become more one sided. Foote would comment on the lack of communication from Hamilton. Foote died in 1808.
- Project ID: CFH
- Dates: 1731 – 25 February 1815
- Aka: Sir Robert Herries
- VIAF; ODNB
- Project ID: RHe
- Dates: ? – ?
- Aka: Mr Hill
- Project ID: MrHill
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: AHind
- Dates: October 1768 – June 1810
- Aka: Miss Hamilton
- Biography: Jane Hamilton was born in 1768 to Frederick Hamilton and Rachel Daniel. She was therefore Mary Hamilton’s cousin. She was passionate about music and the arts. She married Joseph Holman, an actor, in 1798. It was an unhappy marriage and he was away for extended periods of time for work. He left her, ending their marriage. She died in 1810.
- Project ID: JH
- Dates: ? – 13 October 1791
- Aka: Countess of Effingham; Lady Effingham
- Project ID: ElBeck
- Dates: 17 June 1718 – 16 July 1796
- Aka: Field Marshal Sir George Howard
- Wikipedia
- Project ID: GeHow
- Dates: 13 March 1742 – 7 January 1821
- Wikipedia
- Project ID: AnHunt
- Dates: not before 16 February 1731, not after 16 February 1732 – 16 February 1829
- Aka: Mrs Iremonger
- Biography: Penelope Morgan was born c.1730 to Catherine and Mark-Anthony Morgan. She became Penelope Dunbar after her first marriage. In 1770, she married Joshua Iremonger III as his third wife. Two couple had no children together, however Penelope helped to care for her husband’s children from previous marriages [and had a close relationship with them]. She died in 1829. Penelope and Joshua Iremonger III were long-time friends of Mary Hamilton’s. They wrote to each other frequently about royal gossip, mutual friends and acquaintances and their families.
- Project ID: PDI
- Dates: 1757 – 1826
- Aka: Miss E. Iremonger
- Biography: Elizabeth Iremonger was born in 1826 to Joshua Iremonger III and his second wife, Elizabeth Lacey. Her mother died just three years after her birth and her father later remarried to Penelope Morgan. Like her father and Morgan, Iremonger corresponded with Mary Hamilton. They wrote about news of friends, the royal family, her father’s health, and literature. Iremonger died in 1826.
- Project ID: EI
- Dates: 1717 – 31 December 1804
- Aka: Joshua Iremonger III
- Biography: Joshua Iremonger III was born in 1717 to Sarah Lascelles and Joshua Iremonger II. Joshua was married three times: First to Delicia Fryer in 1742, next to Elizabeth Lacey in 1752 and finally to Penelope Dunbar (née Morgan) in 1770. He died on 31st December 1804. Penelope and Joshua Iremonger III were long-time friends of Mary Hamilton’s. They wrote to each other frequently about royal gossip, mutual friends and acquaintances and their families.
- Project ID: JI3
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: BarbI
- Dates: bapt. 2 May 1753 – 10 July 1786
- Aka: Mrs Jackson, Katerina
- Variant spellings: Katerina
- Biography: Catherine (or Caterina) Jackson (née Clarke) was born in Northampton c.1750. She was one of three sisters, the other two being Anna Maria and Isabella Clarke. Little is known about her early life. She married John Jackson in 1778. The couple had three children together before her unexpected death in 1786. Catherine was extremely good friends with Mary Hamilton and, along with her sister Anna Maria, cared for Mary Hamilton’s sick mother in London before her death in 1778. On the day of her wedding to John Jackson, Mary Hamilton gifted her a wedding ring that had once belonged to her own mother.
- Project ID: CC
- Dates: 2 October 1783 – ?
- Aka: Fanny Jackson
- Biography: Frances (Fanny) Jackson was born in 1783 to Caterina Clarke and John Jackson. She had two sisters, Katherine and Mary. Her family were close correspondents of Mary Hamilton’s.
- Project ID: FJ
- Dates: ? – not before 3 April 1797, not after 25 April 1797
- Biography: John Jackson worked as an attorney and was involved in politics. Little is known about his early life. In 1779 he married Caterina Clarke, a close friend of Mary Hamilton's. The couple had three daughters, Katherine, Mary and Fanny, and a son, Henry, who passed away around the age of four. Jackson was a friend of John Dickenson, and they wrote on politics and family news. Jackson died in 1797.
- Project ID: JJa
- Dates: 19 September 1781 – ?
- Biography: Mary Johanna Jackson was born in 1781 to Caterina Clarke and John Jackson. She had two sisters, Katherine and Fanny. Jackson wrote to Mary Hamilton about her social engagements, the health of her Aunt Anna Maria Clarke and about an incident that Jackson was involved in. The incident concerned Jackson keeping Bishop Horseley company one night after the death of his wife, which invited a lot of gossip. Hamilton spoke to Jackson about it, hoping to advise her, as she cared for her greatly due to her love for Jackson’s mother.
- Project ID: MJ
- Dates: 1730 – 1817
- Aka: Lady Cis
- Biography: Henrietta Cecilia West was born in 1730 to John West, 7th Baron De La Warr, and Lady Charlotte McCarthy. In 1763 she married General James Johnston. They had a daughter, Caroline, and a son, Henry-George. West was a friend of Mary Hamilton’s. She died in 1817.
- Project ID: HCJ
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: MissJon
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: MrJon
- Dates: ? – ?
- Biography: Robert Keith wrote to Mary Catherine Hamilton (Mary Hamilton's mother) in 1771, after hearing of her husband’s death. It appears he was an old friend of the Hamiltons'. No further information has yet been discovered.
- Project ID: RoK
- Dates: 1754 – 1841
- Project ID: MTKerr
- Dates: 12 January 1738 – 4 September 1824
- Aka: Dr Kerr
- Biography: William Kerr was born in Scotland. After having served in the army, he became a surgeon at Northampton Infirmary from 1763 until 1821. Through his profession but also his marriages, William Kerr developed strong ties to Northampton. The family of his first wife, Charlotte Dicey, sold patent medicines and owned the local Northampton newspaper. Kerr's second wife, Mary Tompson, was the daughter of George Tompson (1722-1786), mayor of Northampton in 1753.
- Project ID: DrKerr
- Dates: 1745 – 1814
- Biography: John Kinderley was born c.1745. Little is known about his family or early life. He was a solicitor of Bedford Row. He was solicitor for the Warren and Jackson families. He was the executor of John Jackson’s will and co-guardian of his daughters. Kinderley died in 1814.
- Project ID: JKi
- Dates: 10 January 1735 – October 1797
- Aka: Miss King
- Biography: Anne King was born in 1735 to Catherina Troy and Thomas King, 5th Baron of Ockham. She was the sister of Wilhelmina Murray, who was a correspondent of Mary Hamilton’s. King died in 1797.
- Project ID: AK
- Dates: ? – ?
- Biography: Thomas Kirkgate was born in 1734. Between 1765 and 1789 he worked as a printer at Strawberry Hill Press for Horace Walpole. Alongside the work of Walpole, Kirkgate also printed the work of other authors, such as Hannah More and Anne Temple-Greville. Kirkgate would write letters to Mary Hamilton on behalf of Walpole. Kirkgate was also a close associate of the artist and publisher Silvester Harding. He died in 1810.
- Project ID: ThKir
- Dates: 1711 – 14 October 1790
- Aka: Lady Wallingford
- Biography: Mary Catherine Law was born c.1711 to John Law and Katherine Knollys. For an extended period during her childhood, Law lived in France because her father worked there as a finance minister. She became fluent in French. In 1734 she married her cousin, Major William Knollys, Viscount Wallingford. Her title became Viscountess Wallingford. Law was a member of the Bulstrode circle. In 1738 she stayed at Bulstrode with the Portlands. She corresponded with Elizabeth Montagu, in both English and French, about politics and society. Law died at her home in London in 1790.
- Project ID: LWall
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: MrsLang
- Dates: 1722 – 1797
- Aka: Mrs Leland
- Biography: Anne Leland (née Upton) was born in 1722 to Richard Upton, Captain of the East Indiaman London and his partner [or, wife, it is unclear]. In 1763, she married John Leland of Strood Park, Sussex, who was the son of Ralph Leland of Dublin. Anne and John and no children together, and Anne died in 1797. Her husband died in 1808. She worked for the King and Queen for most of her life, in various roles. She met Mary Hamilton at the Court of King George III and Queen Charlotte, and the two continued to write after Mary’s departure. Anne often wrote of family news and of stories that her husband, a soldier, brought home with him from foreign countries. She also wrote frequently with news of the royal family.
- Project ID: ALe
- Dates: ? – ?
- Aka: Miss Litchfield; Clara; The Kitten
- Biography: Ann Litchfield was from Northampton. Little is known about her family or her early life. She was a close friend of Mary Hamilton, who often sent her extracts from her personal diary.
- Project ID: ALi
- Dates: ? – 12 January 1812
- Aka: 1st Baronet Lovett
- Biography: Jonathan Lovett of Liscombe was the son of Jonathan Lovett Senior and Eleanor Mansergh. In 1775 Lovett married his cousin, Sarah Darby. They had a son, Robert Turville Jonathan, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Letitia. In 1781 he was created 1st Baronet Lovett. He was later offered a peerage. However, he declined, as his only son, Robert, had died in 1807, so that he had no male issue to inherit his rank or title. Lovett died in 1812.
- Project ID: JLo
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: JMain
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: AF
- Dates: 2 October 1718 – 25 August 1800
- Aka: Mrs Montagu; Attica
- Variant spellings: Montague
- VIAF; Wikisource; ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: EM
- Dates: 1747 – 1819
- Aka: Patty
- VIAF
- Project ID: MrtM
- Dates: 1743 – 1819
- Aka: Sally
- VIAF
- Project ID: SaM
- Dates: ? – ?
- Aka: Mrs Morrice; Morris
- Project ID: MrsMor
- Dates: ? – ?
- Aka: Miss Day Rolls
- Project ID: CDM
- Dates: bapt. 1 July 1758 – 11 July 1843
- Aka: Countess of Mansfield; Lady Stormont
- Wikipedia
- Project ID: LCM
- Dates: 4 March 1738 – 29 December 1795
- Aka: Miss Wilhelmina King
- Biography: Wilhelmina King was born in 1738 to Catherina and Thomas King (Baron of Ockham). In 1784, she married George Murray, a grandson of John Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl, and the couple didn’t have any children. Wilhelmina appears to have become acquainted with Mary Hamilton at the court of King George III. They frequently wrote to each other on topics such as royal gossip and dinner parties.
- Project ID: WM
- Dates: ? – 9 July 1818
- Aka: Lady Anne Murray
- Biography: Anne Murray was the daughter of David Murray, 6th Viscount Stormont, and Anne Stewart. She was the niece of William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield. From c.1763 onwards, Murray lived on his Kenwood estate. When her uncle died in 1793, her brother, David, succeeded him as Earl of Mansfield, and Murray gained the title Lady. Murray corresponded with Mary Hamilton about their families, visits, and news of acquaintances, such as the death of the Duchess of Portland. Murray died in 1818.
- Project ID: AnnM
- Dates: 17 January 1790 – 21 January 1867
- Biography: Caroline Murray was born in 1790. She was the only daughter of Lord and Lady Stormont (David Murray and Louisa Cathcart). Lady Stormont was Mary Hamilton’s cousin. Murray had four brothers and several half siblings. She died in 1867.
- Project ID: CaMu
- Dates: 9 October 1727 – 1 September 1796
- Aka: Lord Stormont; The Viscount Stormont; 2nd Earl of Mansfield
- VIAF; Wikisource; ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: DM
- Dates: 8 April 1780 – 1848
- Aka: Little George
- Biography: George Murray was born in 1780 to David Murray, 2nd Earl of Mansfield and 7th Viscount Stormont, and Louisa Cathcart. His mother was Mary Hamilton’s cousin and close correspondent. Murray achieved the rank of lieutenant-general in the army. He died in 1848.
- Project ID: GeMu
- Dates: 19 March 1734 – 19 March 1794
- Aka: Lieutenant General Murray
- Wikipedia
- Project ID: JM
- Dates: 30 June 1755 – 29 September 1830
- Aka: 4th Duke of Atholl; 4th Marquess of Tullibardine
- VIAF; Wikipedia
- Project ID: JMu
- Dates: 26 October 1727 – 11 July 1774
- Aka: Mrs Napier
- VIAF
- Biography: Mary Anne Cathcart was born in 1727 to Lord Charles Cathcart and Marian Schaw. In 1754 she married William, 7th Lord Napier of Merchistoun. The couple had five children. Cathcart was the sister-in-law of Mary Hamilton’s aunt, Jane Cathcart. This connection led to Cathcart’s husband becoming Hamilton’s guardian. Napier died in 1774.
- Project ID: MAN
- Dates: 1756 – 29 December 1821
- Biography: Maria Margaret Clavering was born in 1756 to Lieutenant-General Sir John Clavering and Lady Diana West. In 1784 she married Francis Scott, 8th Baron Napier of Merchistoun. Francis Napier was a close friend of Hamilton’s, and referred to her as his ‘sister’. Clavering and her husband had nine children. She died in 1821 at her home, Dacre Lodge in Middlesex.
- Project ID: MMCN
- Dates: 24 October 1794 – 15 December 1874
- Project ID: ChasNap
- Dates: 1 May 1730 – 2 January 1775
- Aka: Lord Napier
- Wikipedia
- Project ID: WN7
- Dates: ? – ?
- Aka: Dr Thomas Newell
- Project ID: ThoNew
- Dates: 1722 – not before 10 January 1785
- Biography: Elizabeth Vaughan was born in 1722 to John Vaughan, Viscount Lisburne, and Lady Malet Wilmot. She had five siblings. Vaughan was married and widowed twice. Her first husband was Watson Hand, who she married in 1745. After his death, she became the second wife of Thomas Newton, Bishop of Bristol, in 1761. Through her second husband, Vaughan became acquainted with Mary Hamilton. She wrote to Hamilton about wishing to see her, about her and her husband's health, and on news of mutual friends.
- Project ID: ENVH
- Dates: 1 January 1704 – 14 February 1782
- Aka: Bishop of Bristol
- VIAF; ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: TNBB
- Dates: ? – ?
- Aka: Sally; Miss Sarah Nicolls
- Variant spellings: Nicholls
- Project ID: SaN
- Dates: ? – ?
- Variant spellings: Nevin
- Project ID: MNi
- Dates: 4 December 1750 – 7 September 1820
- Aka: Miss Palmer; Mrs O'Brien; Countess of Inchiquin
- VIAF; Wikipedia
- Project ID: MPalm
- Dates: 24 August 1758 – 29 November 1794
- Aka: Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; Duchess of Scwerin; Sophia Frederica, Princess
- Wikipedia
- Project ID: SFMS
- Dates: 1726 – 29 April 1808
- Aka: Mrs Ord
- Variant spellings: Orde; Ann; Anne
- Biography: Ann Dillingham was born in 1726 and was the daughter of William Dillingham. She married William Ord, who had become wealthy from the mines on his inherited estate. In the late 1780s in the space of two years she lost her husband and three daughters. She also lost a son, who was a soldier and died at war. She had five other children, in addition to the aforementioned four. She moved to London after her husband's death, where she was hostess to many of the bluestockings. She was well educated, particularly in languages. She would read in French, Italian and English. She died in 1808.
- Project ID: ADO
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: JOslam
- Dates: 1743 – 5 December 1811
- Aka: Mrs Palfrey; Lady Cremorne's old faithful servant
- Biography: Elizabeth Palfrey was born in 1743. She was a long-serving servant of Lady Dartrey’s (later Lady Cremorne). Dartrey was friends with Mary Hamilton from Court. Palfrey would write letters to Hamilton on Dartrey's behalf when she suffered problems with her eyes. Palfrey died in 1811.
- Project ID: EP
- Dates: ? – ?
- Aka: Eliza
- Biography: Elizabeth Dickenson was born to John Dickenson Senior (of Birch Hall, Manchester and Taxal in Derbyshire) and Sarah Chetham, an old correspondent of Mary Hamilton's. Dickenson's brother, John Dickenson Junior, married Mary Hamilton in 1785. Hamilton was therefore Dickenson’s sister-in-law. In 1791, Dickenson married Chevalier Giovanni Domenico Palombi and they moved to Naples. The couple had 5 children. Dickenson wrote of her children, their qualities and their health, alongside other topics such as the war and political unrest in Naples.
- Project ID: EDP
- Dates: 1761 – 1 January 1823
- Aka: Lady Parker; Countess of Macclesfield
- Wikipedia
- Project ID: MDP
- Dates: not after 1734 – ?
- Project ID: MrsPrk
- Dates: ? – 28 November 1816
- Aka: Bella
- Project ID: IBP
- Dates: 21 May 1729 – 20 November 1801
- Aka: Lady Juliana Penn
- VIAF; Wikipedia
- Project ID: LJuPe
- Dates: 21 December 1762 – 5 April 1849
- Project ID: MontP
- Dates: 1754 – 24 October 1834
- Aka: Peggy; Planny
- Biography: Margaret Planta was born in 1754 to the Rev. Andrew 'Andrea' Planta, who worked as a tutor and teacher in various countries before moving to London in 1752 where he later started working for the British Museum. Her sister Frederica was a teacher at the royal Court, where she died in 1778. Margaret Planta took over after her death and taught English to the Royal Prince and Princesses. Amongst the children, she was known as Planny or Peggy. She became close friends with Mary Hamilton at Court as the two women shared the same job title. Margaret even took over some of Mary Hamilton’s duties whilst Mary Hamilton was away from Court. The two wrote frequently to each other of royal gossip and family news.
- Project ID: MPP
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: MPrest
- Dates: not after 11 August 1734 – 5 December 1791
- Aka: Provost of Eton; Chaplain to George III
- VIAF; Wikisource; ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: WHR
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: ESR
- Dates: ? – not before October 1784
- Aka: Mrs Rogers
- Biography: Ann Rogers lived in Northampton, where she was the next door neighbour to Mary Hamilton. In 1784 she described herself as an ‘old woman’ and died later that year.
- Project ID: MrsRog
- Dates: bapt. 28 February 1766 – ?
- Aka: Bell
- Biography: Isabella Barbara Evelyn Gunning was baptised (and likely born) in February 1766. Her parents were Sir Robert Gunning and Anne Sutton. She had two siblings, Charlotte Margaret and George William. Charlotte was a correspondent of Mary Hamilton's. Gunning moved to Nancy, France for a period of time c.1785. In 1796 she married General Alexander Ross.
- Project ID: BEIG
- Dates: 1758 – 1841
- Project ID: JHRude
- Dates: 14 April 1747 – 16 December 1828
- Aka: Mrs Rundell; Maria Statira Elizabeth Farquharson Ketelby
- VIAF; ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: MERu
- Dates: not after 1771 – not before 1828
- Aka: Miss Rundle
- Biography: Maria Rundell was the daughter of Thomas Rundell and Maria Eliza Kettelby (who was the author of the book Domestic Cookery). Rundell was the eldest child and had seven siblings. Rundell (and her mother) resided in Bath. The Rundell family were well acquainted with John Dickenson, Mary Hamilton’s husband. Rundell writes to Hamilton about news of family and friends, and about literature. In 1792 Rundell married Thomas Bigge. They had eight children.
- Project ID: MarRu
- Dates: 18 July 1781 – 24 February 1853
- Aka: Duchess of Bedford
- VIAF; Wikipedia
- Project ID: GGR
- Dates: 6 July 1766 – 20 October 1839
- Aka: 6th Duke of Bedford
- VIAF; Wikipedia
- Project ID: JRusB
- Dates: 1731 – ?
- Aka: Mrs Sandford; Sally
- Variant spellings: Capon
- Project ID: SSC
- Dates: 1765 – 15 October 1829
- Biography: Christopher Schram was born in 1765. He was a cellist and was considered an eminent performer. Schram worked alongside his 3 brothers Vitius, Martin and Simon. They worked as musicians for the Hon. H. Fitz. Morice and later alongside Baumgarten at Wynnstay for Sir Watkins Williams-Wynn. Following this, Schram and the latter two brothers were part of the royal band of the Prince of Wales, the future George IV. Schram wrote a letter to John Dickenson, husband of Mary Hamilton, on behalf of Prince George. He died in 1829.
- Project ID: CSch
- Dates: 1728 – 7 March 1797
- Aka: Madame Schwellenberg; Juliana Schwellenberg
- Variant spellings: Schewlengberg; Von Schwellenberg
- Wikipedia
- Biography: Juliana Elisabeth von Schwellenberg was born in 1728 in Germany. In 1761 she was selected by Queen Charlotte to accompany her from Mecklenburg-Strelitz to Great Britain for her wedding. Once in Great Britain, she became the keeper of robes to the queen, as well as a woman of the bedchamber. She held much influence at the Court, and many other staff saw her as a gatekeeper to Queen Charlotte and her patronage, which led to antagonistic relationships with several other staff (including, famously, with Frances Burney). She died in 1797. Although a controversial figure, she and Mary Hamilton wrote to each other from time to time and appear to have got on well. After Mary Hamilton left Court, there are letters from Juliana dated from 1789, passing on royal gossip and news.
- Project ID: JES
- Dates: 1767 – 1804
- Project ID: MAKerr
- Dates: ? – 1790
- Aka: Mrs Smelt
- Biography: Jane Campbell was baptised in 1720. In 1744 she married Leonard Smelt, deputy governor to the princes. Campbell and her husband were close friends with Mary Hamilton from her time at Court. The couple had two daughters, Dorothy and Anne Jesse. Campbell died in 1790.
- Project ID: JaS
- Dates: 1729 – 5 April 1782
- Aka: Miss Burrows; Mrs Culling Smith
- Project ID: MCS
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: HaSmi
- Dates: 27 April 1737 – 18 March 1814
- Aka: Countess Spencer; Lady Spencer
- VIAF; ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: GPo
- Dates: ? – 7 March 1829
- Aka: Miss Harry Grenville; Lady Mahon; Countess Stanhope
- Wikipedia
- Project ID: LGren
- Dates: ? – ?
- Aka: Mrs Stephenson
- Project ID: MrsSteph
- Dates: ? – 3 January 1810
- Aka: Lady Courtown; Countess Mary Courtown
- Variant spellings: Powis
- Wikipedia
- Project ID: MPS
- Dates: 25 December 1764 – 29 April 1847
- VIAF
- Project ID: SPS
- Dates: ? – ?
- Aka: Lord Tavistock
- Project ID: LTav
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: Tenn
- Dates: 1776 – 13 May 1861
- Aka: Elizabeth Halliday; Elizabeth Tollemache
- Wikisource; Wikipedia
- Project ID: EST
- Dates: 1732 – not after 1818
- Project ID: MT
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: AUOss
- Dates: 1708 – 3 June 1785
- Wikipedia
- Project ID: AV
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: RenV
- Dates: 16 September 1771 – 1850
- Aka: Mary Anne; Miss Port
- Variant spellings: Georgiana Mary Anne
- Biography: Georgina Mary Anne Port was born in 1771 to John Sparrow Port and Mary Dewes. She was predominantly raised in Windsor by her great-aunt, Mary Delany, who hoped to raise her as the perfect lady. Port married Benjamin Waddington in 1789. It was an arranged marriage. They had 6 children together. Port corresponded with Mary Hamilton both about Mary Delany and on her behalf. Port was also a friend of the writer Frances (Fanny) Burney. She died in 1850.
- Project ID: MAP
- Dates: 1744 – 10 December 1823
- Aka: Lady Wake; the Snow-ball
- Biography: Mary Fenton was born c.1744 to Richard Fenton of Banktop, Yorkshire, and his wife Anne Fenton (née Brooke). She married Sir William Wake, 8th Baronet, in June 1865 and became known as Lady Mary Wake. The couple had four children, including William Wake, 9th Baronet. She died in 1823. Mary Wake and Mary Hamilton had been long acquainted, being neighbours in Northampton when they were younger. They wrote to each other regarding theatre and their mutual friends, as well as musing upon what it meant to have a friendship. Also discussed is the affection that Mary Wake’s son, William, held for Mary Hamilton. She rejected his advances several times, and the two women discussed this extensively.
- Project ID: MFW
- Dates: 1742 – 29 October 1785
- Aka: Sir William Wake, 8th Baronet
- Wikipedia
- Project ID: WW1
- Dates: 5 April 1768 – 27 January 1846
- Aka: Sir William Wake, 9th Baronet
- Janus
- Project ID: WW2
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: AnblW
- Dates: ? – 11 November 1794
- Aka: Mrs Walkinshaw
- Biography: Catherine Walkinshaw was a daughter of John Walkinshaw of Barrowfield and Katharine Paterson. One of her nine sisters, Clementina, was the mistress of Charles Edward Stuart. Walkinshaw also had connections to the royal family, as she worked as a Woman of the Bedchamber to the Dowager Princess of Wales from 1737 until the princess’s death in 1772. Walkinshaw never married. Many of her letters to Mary Hamilton relate to the royal family, but they also discuss more personal topics such as news of friends and family. She died in 1794.
- Project ID: CaW
- Dates: 24 September 1717 – 2 March 1797
- Aka: Horatio; 4th Earl of Orford; 4th Viscount Walpole; Baron Walpole of Walpole; Pliny
- VIAF; Wikisource; ODNB; Wikipedia
- Project ID: HW
- Dates: 20 April 1780 – 14 November 1803
- Aka: Katherine Warren; Little Kitty
- Biography: Katherine Jackson was born in 1780 to Caterina Clark and John Jackson. She had two sisters, Fanny and Mary. In 1801 she married Bentley Warren, who worked as an attorney in Uppingham. Mary Jackson described the marriage as one of real affection. She also noted the significant age difference between Jackson and Warren. The couple had two daughters, Mary Anne and Katherine Frances. The Jackson family were all close friends with Mary Hamilton. Katherine Jackson wrote about invitations to see Hamilton, her marriage and her elder daughter. Jackson died in November of 1803, a week after giving birth to her second child.
- Project ID: KJ
- Dates: 1741 – 22 July 1782
- Aka: Lady Webb; Clementina; Miss Salvin of York
- Biography: Mary Salvin was born in 1741 to Thomas Salvin of Easingwold. Around 1759 she married Sir John Webb, 5th Baronet of Odstock. They had one child, Barbara. Salvin and Hamilton met when Hamilton was visiting Spa in 1776. They became friends and would write about society and Salvin’s travels in Europe. She died in France in 1782.
- Project ID: LWebb
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: ChWent
- Dates: 5 June 1765 – 1843
- Biography: Elizabeth Hamilton was born in 1765 to Rev. Hon. George Hamilton and Elizabeth Onslow. She was one of ten children. Her father was the cousin of Charles Hamilton (Mary Hamilton’s father). In 1793 she married Glynn Wynn, MP. It was a childless marriage. Hamilton died in 1843.
- Project ID: EHaW
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: AA
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: A
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: HAB
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: CCunknown
- Dates: ? – ?
- Project ID: GH
