Manuscripts
Sarah Siddons letter to Hester Piozzi
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Sarah Siddons letter to Rev. Mr. Dennison and engravings
Manuscripts
Volume containing an undated two-page letter to Rev. Mr. Dennison of Norwich, England, circa 1788, sent by Siddons' following her return to her Gower Street residence in London. The letter is preceded by eight engraved portraits of Siddons and followed by a typescript transcript of the letter and biographical sketch of Siddons. The portraits consist of "Mrs. Siddons. After the Picture by Sir Joshua Reynolds," engraved by W. Holl; Mrs. Siddons from a drawing by Downman; "Mrs. Siddons as the Tragic Muse," by Joshua Reynolds, engraved by John Bromley, and published by Moon, Boys & Graves, July 2, 1832; "Mrs. Siddons as Euphrasia ... The Grecian Daughter," by DeWilde and Conde, printed for J. Bell, 1792; "Mrs. Siddons as Jane Shore," by Hamilton and Leney, published by J. Bell, 1791; "Mrs. Siddons as Lady MacBeth," engraved by J. Rogers, published by G. Virtue, 1825; and "Mrs. Siddons as Medea" engraved by Thornthwaite.
mssHM 24038
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Sarah Siddons letter to Patty Wilkinson
Manuscripts
One-page fragment of a signed letter in which Siddons communicates that she will be staying with Lady Barrington, who was mourning the death of her son, until she is "wanted in Edinborough." The letter is addressed "To Miss Wilkinson."
mssHM 11385
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Sarah Siddons letter to Mr. Rodwell
Manuscripts
Brief one-page signed note from Siddons to Mr. Rodwell, Drury Lane Theatre, nominating Edward White for free admission to the Drury-Lane Theatre for the 1819/20 season.
mssHM 2951
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Charles Fletcher letters to James Gordon Bennett
Manuscripts
HM 4004 is a letter addressed to Mr. Bennett, editor of the New York Herald, imploring that the enclosed letter addressing the Oregon Question be published in the Herald. This letter is signed by Charles Fletcher. HM 4005 is the enclosed letter mentioned in HM 4004, and is signed "An American Citizen," and discusses a potential British claim to the Oregon Territory. Both letters are dated 1846, January 26. These manuscripts may be related to HM 4001-4003.
mssHM 4004-4005
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James Clarke letters to his family
Manuscripts
This series of letters were written by James Clarke to his family in Maine, mostly his brother and his wife, from California between 1854 and 1856. The letters will be described chronologically. HM 21248, written 1854, May 16, and addressed to "Dear Brother," writes of acquiring room and board in San Francisco. HM 21310, dated 1854, September 3, sees Clarke moving to Los Angeles in search of more money. He wishes to eventually purchase a lot of land outside the city and build on it. HM 21353 (dated 1854, May 31; the letter is incomplete, being the middle four pages only) describes his journey to San Francisco. HM 21244 (1854, October 7) is partly written from Santa Barbara, and is also addressed "Dear Brother." Clarke writes of his profits from farming, but he thinks he may have to relocate. The second part of the letter finds Clarke in a boarding house 130 miles outside of Santa Barbara, where he has found work as a carpenter. The next letter is dated 1854, October 7 and 12, and is written in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles (HM 21245). The first part, written in pencil, is addressed to "Mrs. James Clarke", and Clarke is leaving Santa Barbara for Los Angeles, where he hopes to find better fortune. In the second part, Clarke writes he has arrived in Los Angeles after a fifty-day overland journey, and that he hopes to remain there for the rest of the five years of his stay in the West. HM 21247, dated 1854, November 3 and addressed once again to "Mrs. James Clarke," Clarke writes he has sent "some half dozzen letters" home but has gotten nothing in response. The following letter (HM 21246) was written November 1854, and is addressed "Dear Family." Clarke is now also working in a vineyard, and describes the Los Angeles orange groves in detail, and speaks in glowing terms of California produce. HM 21351 is written to Clarke's brother, and dated 1854, December 6. In it, Clarke describes the produce of Los Angeles, as well as the "exceeding agreeableness" of the area's climate. HM 21352 is dated 1855, March 1, and is also addressed to Clarke's brother, and discusses his work in a vineyard. HM 21242 is addressed to "Mrs. James Clarke" and is dated 1855, July 22. He is concerned that the letters and money he is sending home is not making it there, as "every thing is unsettled in Cal. now." He would like to make more money, but says "there is no money to be had." He remains confident that his stay will be financially productive. HM 21243, written to his family on 1856, March 7, contains Clarke's report that after a year's hard work, he now has a house and lot in El Monte, which he calls "the Egypt of California." He is excited about the prospect of farming on his land.
mssHM 21242-21248, 21310, & 21351-21353