The letters of the Booth family of Twemlow consist of two series of letters from different generations of the family: the first contains letters from William Booth (b. 1602) to his brother, John Booth (1584-1659), and the second comprises letters of Thomas Booth (b. 1646) to his brother, another John Booth (1641-1698). In both sets of correspondence, the letters are from younger brothers living away from the family estate in Cheshire (from London, the Netherlands, and France) to elder brothers living at Twemlow and include a mixture of family news, financial business, and accounts of contemporary events.
Series 1 (F.c.6-16): All but one of the letters from William Booth are dated 1628-1629, consisting first of letters from London, where he unsuccessfully seeks service and frequently asks for financial assistance (F.c.6-12), and then from the Netherlands, where he is a soldier (F.c.13-15). The letters from the Netherlands offer contemporary accounts of English military actions against Spanish forces. In one much later letter (F.c.16), written from Calais in 1647, William refers to his continued military activity and ongoing request of financial assistance. John Booth’s draft replies appear on several of the letters (F.c.7, F.c.9, and F.c.16), as well as a copy of a letter from William Morton to Thomas Morton, then bishop of Lichfield (F.c.6).
Series 2 (F.c.17-34): The letters from Thomas Booth, all sent from London "by the Brereton Bagg" (the post bag bound for Brereton in Cheshire), include a mixture of family and business matters with news of the political situation. Thomas writes to his brother concerning his nephew John's development, commenting on prices of goods, and relating the latest political turmoil of the 1680s.
The Folger Shakespeare Library also holds four letters from Henry Booth to John Booth (1584?-1659), X.d.441 (1-4)
The Cheshire Record Office holds a number of documents related to the Booth family of Twemlow, most notably a collection of letters addressed to John Booth of Twemlow (D 6369) and several volumes compiled or otherwise collected by John Booth, the genealogist, now part of the J.P. Earwaker Collection (ZCR 63)
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[Item title and date], Letters of the Booth family of Twemlow, Folger MS [shelfmark], Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC.
Acquired from P.M. Hill in 1956.
Arranged in two series: 1) letters from William Booth (b. 1602) to John Booth (1584-1659) and 2) letters from Thomas Booth (b. 1646) to John Booth (1641-1698). Each series is further arranged chronologically.
The Booths (alternately Bouth) of Twemlow were descended from Edward Booth, a younger son of Sir William Booth of Dunham-Massey, who settled at Twemlow in Cheshire following Edward Booth's marriage to Mary Knutsford in 1520. The male line of this branch of the Booth family became extinct in 1775, although descendants in the female line took the name of Booth upon inheriting the Twemlow estates.
John Booth (1584-1659) and William Booth (b. 1602) were Edward Booth's great-grandsons. John Booth succeeded his father (also John (d. 1620)) as lord of the manor at Twemlow and became a distinguished genealogist who amassed a sizeable collection of Cheshire pedigrees.
John Booth died unmarried, and his estates passed to his brother Lawrence (1599-1662). Lawrence's sons included John (1641-1698), his heir and successor, and his youngest son, Thomas (b. 1646).
Was hoping to send good news from parliament, "but it hath bene soe varieable that there neuer stoude anie newes currant too days together nor doeth not yet there fore I spare to write." Mentions the death of the Archbishop of York, and rumors that Bishop Morton may be his successor. Requests assistance from their "cozen Morton" in seeking service with the Bishop, for "if that faile I do not louke to get any seruis worth haueinge, therefore soe soune as I am resolued of that I will eather goe into the lowcuntries or eles w[i]th some man of warre."
On leaf 1v, a copy in the hand of John Booth of William Morton's letter of recommendation, dated May 18, 1628, in which he references William Booth's past service to the Earl of Ormond.
Mentions soliciting Sir Edward Fitton for money daily. Comments on continued speculation as to who will be the next Archbishop of York: his inquiries indicate that it will be either the Bishop of London or the Bishop of Lincoln, as Bishop Morton is much out of favor for a sermon he preached. Refers to his plans to leave for the Low Countries given his difficulty obtaining service, and entreats his brother to furnish him with clothes. Mentions efforts to procure Sir John Eliot's speech.
On leaf 1v, John Booth's draft response, dated June 5, 1628, in which he further encourages for the idea of his brother securing any service, since "there is nothing to be got by the warres but misery."
Mentions receiving a letter from their brother (Henry Booth?) at Dover and his continued efforts to solicit Sir Edward Fitton. Expresses hope that John will take up these efforts in the country and acquaint Lady Brereton with how Sir Edward treats their brother. Again refers to his unsuccessful attempts to gain service and the money he would need to carry himself to the Low Countries.
Indicates that he and Mr. Wylde have paid a visit to the Lord Bishop, who indicated that "he had more seuants then he had occasion to make vse of." Because of his continued difficulties finding a service, he entreats his brother to consider the issue of money for transportation to the Low Countries.
On leaf 2, John Booth's autograph draft of a letter to Lady Brereton, June 20, 1628, regarding a debt of £75 Henry Booth sent to her son during the time of his imprisonment at Ostend, which remains unpaid. Threatens legal action against both Sir Edward Fitton and Lady Brereton if there is continued delay.
Insists that it was not his neglect that resulted in Sir Edward Fitton not making a payment before leaving London. Indicates that their brother is still in Devon. In a postscript, he despairs of ever finding employment in London and requests money to "carrie me a weay."
Refers to Mr. Wylde's unsuccessful attempts to secure employment for him and states his opinion that "it is better to indure slaverie where a man is not knowne then in is owne cuntry." Mentions news that their brother Henry has arrived in Calais.
Refers to his departure for "Alkemore" in North Holland (i.e. Alkemaar), and indicates that he borrowed more money from a cousin and requests that his brother repay his debt.
Writes before going into action; the forces are going to be at Nijmegen before the Busse ('s-Hertogenbosch) "w[hi]ch if wee doe wee are verie like to haue a verie hard time of it." He voices regret for leaving England and a desire to return (but he would be "miserable pore") and asks for £5.
Writes during the Siege of 's-Hertogenbosch and gives detailed account of English actions in the campaign against Spanish forces in the Netherlands. Mentions that "Grave Henry" (Frederick Henry) has now marched to Nijmegen.
Address given as "From the Leagor before the Bussee."
Addressed and dated "ffrom the leagor september 14th ould stile, 1629."
A lengthy and detailed letter, primarily concerning military actions in the Netherlands. Written in the immediate aftermath of the Siege of
Shares news of the current military situation in continental Europe ("great preperation for the ffeild both by the ffrench and the Spaniard ... there is Like to be a bluddie somer betwixt those two princes if the Hollands peace be not a meanes to make the other agree..."). In a postscript, he requests financial support of £50 or £60 to raise a company of men.
On the second leaf, John's reply, giving news from England and rejecting his brother's request for money "you may as well write for 50000li. if I had it, I would not haue you to take that course, nether do I thinke would any of your frends."
Mentions meeting with Mr. Venables about money owed to his uncle. Booth is under the impression that "money is not much flowing with him att present" and reports that Venables has supposedly "writt to his sister Leveson to joyne with him in the sale of the Lands in the North."
Mentions that Mr. Cholmondeley met with commissioners about Captain Booth's business, and they demanded the valuation of the wood that is on the Kings ground. Expresses concern that "wee shall be in danger of haveing another sute with Mr. Venables who threatens to sue for Madm. Mary's Porc[i]on."
Enquires after his uncle's health and financial affairs, specifically those involving Mr. Venables. Also indicates that Harry Wainwright "has made some part of his Estate over to you, yo[u]r Leiften[a]nt & to Henry Hobson for raiseing and paying of Debts."
Postscript mentions that the King, Queen and most of the nobles at Court have gone to Windsor for the summer.
Thomas is sorry to hear of his uncle's death, and leaves the management of uncle's estate to John. He also expresses willingness to share part of his portion with his brother Charles (who received nothing) once he has an account with his uncle's debts and funeral expenses. Requests that John "wryte to Br. Charles tell him I expect his cheese."
In a postscript, mentions "Jack Johnson is return'd from Barmoudos."
Discusses obtaining clothes appropriate for city wear and a dancing and fencing master for his nephew, who recently arrived in London. Also mentions that he is going to Mr. Venables.
In response to reports of bad weather in Cheshire, Booth expresses concern for farmers.
Also discusses his nephew's development ("I spoake to my Nephew severall tymes that hee would in an afternoon goe to a wryteing master twice or thrice a weeke," "the ffencing Master tells mee hee will doe very well for the tyme...but he has noe great respect to Danceing," "I lend him what bookes I have," etc.)
In a postscript, he mentions a rumor of warrants against 24 whigs for "scattering a Libell" about the alleged murder of
Refers to
In the postscript, notes that "Mr Lowndes the Watchmaker tells mee hee sells noe pendulum watches under 6 pownds."
Sends Christmas greetings and expresses concern about the health of his sisters. Also mentions that he is just now going to Major Minshull who "meets w[i]th delays amonst the Lawyers as well as other folkes."
Shares recent political news, including
Also refers to family matters, such as seeking advice about his nephew John's future ("I am told by many that a wire-drawer has been a very good trade & is yett, but neve soe good as itt has been").
Mentions having met with cousin Baskervile ("a man universall to most of the trades in London") about his nephew John's future; asks his brother if he would be willing to spare his son after his 7 years' apprenticeship and suggests that "hee must goe to a wryteing Master to instract him better then the Cuntry can both to wryte & cast acco[un]tt." Indicates that "the wire drawer you menc[i]oned to mee I am told some tymes is but a dull trade here, espetially when the Court is in mourning" and instead proposes selling children's coats as a "lasting trade."
Comments the ever-changing political and religious environment under James II: "Romanists are all made Barons, there is as is said to bee a Gen[er]all Purge through all Offices of his Ma[jes]ti[e]s house hould especially." Among others examples, mentions
Also includes references to family news, asking after his nephew Lawrence's progress "in his Amours" and mentioning Ralph Walley's marriage.
Comments that "Tradeing in this Town is extraordinary dead," mentions sending silks to cousin Baskervile, and notes the low price of "Cheese our Cuntry Manufacture."
Also gives news about the political and religious situation, noting rumors about Lord Brandon ("that he will be made a Peere of the Realme oth[e]rs [tha]t hee will turn Romanist, but I beleive neither"), the Parliament being prorogued again (until November 22), and various dismissals. Mentions that "there is great worke in the Popish Chappells att this tyme."
In the postscript, mentions news of Major Minshull and Mr. Venables and sends verses with the first line "When the Almighty the Creation fram'd."
Discusses William Williams' paying a fine of £8000 and lately being knighted and named Solicitor General. Also refers to Sir Thomas Powis replacing Sir Robert Sawyer as attorney general and the James Fitzjames, Duke of Berwick, being made Governor of Portsmouth. Mentions that the news of Mary of Modena's pregnancy "still holds & that she's a quarter gone."
Has sent a bill to be accepted. Comments on extremely cold weather, and sends his regards to their mother and sisters.
Writes concerning finances and health.
In lower left corner, a note in another hand: May [th]e 8th 140li. pd by Mr. Sam: Lownds for [the] Lady Venables use according to this letter.
Does not have much news "in all this gr[ea]t hurly burly," but gives an account of the trial of seven bishops the previous day.
Responds to his brother's question about the Governor of Chester Castle ("there is yett nothing as I hear of his being remoued") and gives news during the Glorious Revolution: indicates that few lords or commoners refuse the Oath of Fidelity, mentions James II's army of 8000 men in Ireland, and comments on the convention of Scotland's ongoing consideration of contenders for the crown ("they have taken 8 days longer to consider to abdicate K. J.s or not & som say that one party declares for him another for K. Wm. & a third for the E. of Doncaster Munmouth's son but these are flying reports").
Indicates that Lord and Lady Norrey's are at Lord Abingdon's at Rycote, mentions going to the Tower to wait on Mr. Cholmondeley the previous day, and states that "the Governour has taken the swear; Law: Baskervile & Charles Walley being security for his appearance the 1st day of the next Terme."