Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Manuscripts
Dorothy Jordan Papers
- Description
The Papers consist of letters, two manuscripts and ephemera; approximately 500 letters are from Dorothy Jordan to William IV (Duke of Clarence), covering the years 1794 to 1812. The letters deal with domestic matters: the health of their children, renovations to their principle home, Bushy House, and the lives of their family and friends. The letters also deal with Dora's working life as she performs in London and on tours throughout England and Ireland, her financial affairs, the Peninsular Wars, and the ill-health of George III and the coming Regency.
There is also a small number of letters and two manuscripts by other family members: Sophia (Baroness De L'Isle and Dudley), Lord Frederick FitzClarence, Elizabeth (Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg), George FitzClarence (Earl of Munster), and William IV; also, business related letters from William Adam, John Philpot Curran, John Philip Kemble, Henry Siddons, and George Grey (Earl of Warrington).
The ephemera consists of two folders containing misc. autograph notes, an envelope, printed material and misc. cover sheets.
The Hair box is a hide-covered box originally used by Lord Frederick FitzClarence to store the letters of his parents. Please see the Finding Aid (DJ 6) for an explanation of this box and its use. The box is in very fragile condition and curator approval must be obtained before paging.
Some People Mentioned in the Letters:
Barrington, Jonah, Sir (1760-1834) -- Irish Anglophile lawyer, judge & theatre lover. [Hatt? Hott? Hutt?], Thomas -- a servant who travelled with Dora on tour. Dalrymple, William, Colonel -- a neighbor at Bushy, advisor to the Duke & friend to Dora. Hayes, John Macnamara, Sir (1750-1809) -- first Baronet, military physician; appointed physician-extraordinary to the Prince of Wales in 1791 (DNB). Jemmett -- a favourite & trusted servant at Bushy. Keats, [?], Admiral -- was Henry's first captain at sea, a good reputation. Lloyd, Thomas, Rev. -- Chaplain to William, came to Bushy to live with his family; sometimes travelled with Dora on tour. McMahon, John, Sir, (Colonel) (d. 1817) -- advisor & private secretary to the Prince Regent. Robin -- was a farmer at Bushy House, oversaw haymaking and the harvest. Sinclair, Mrs. -- an aunt of Dora's on her father's side, helped look after the children (1802). Sketchley, Mrs. -- a companion to Dora, with her at the end in Saint-Cloud, France. Wilkinson, John -- manager of the Northern Theatre Circuit after his father, Tate Wilkinson, died in 1803. Wroughton, Richard (1748-1822) -- new manager of the Drury Lane Theatre (1796).
