Purchased from Alan Thomas in 1968.
Processed by Folger Shakespeare Library staff.
The Letters of Mary Hatton Helsby includes ten letters, 1651-1668 (1-10) and thirteen newspaper clippings reproducing and commenting on Hatton Helsby's letters (now replaced with preservation photocopies), ca. 1900 (11-23). The collection largely consists of correspondence between Mary Hatton Helsby and her eventual husband, Randolph Helsby, nearly all dating from the period of their courtship, 1553-1555. They were both critical of and sympathetic to both the Roundheads and Royalists: in her letter of September 10, 1653 she pleads with him not to get entangled in a conspiracy that seems to have been afoot to overthrow "Oliver" (3) and in her letter of March 27, 1654 she repeats an anecdote about Cromwell (4). Other recipients include Mary Hatton Helsby’s father Peter Hatton (1-2) and her friend Lady (Joan?) Smythe (of Hill Hall in Theydon Mount?), Essex (8). In all her letters she shows she has an eye for the scenes around her.
The daughter of a Cheshire gentleman, Piers (or Peter) Hatton, Mary Hatton grew up at Quisty Birches (alternately Custy Birches, Questibirches, or Kisstie-birches), near Daresbury, Warrington. She was eventual heiress to her brothers Richard Hatton and Thomas Hatton, both of whom died bachelors, leaving the male representation of the family in the line of a brother of Sir Christopher Hatton. Following a courtship of several years, Mary Hatton married Randolph Helsby of Helsby in 1655; their first born son John (Jack) was born in 1661/1662. Although Mary and Randolph (sometimes called "Rafe") appear to have come from professed Puritan families, Hatton Helsby's letters reveal a woman alternately critical of both Royalist and Parliamentary factions under the Protectorate.
[Item title and date], Letters of Mary Helsby, Folger MS X.d.493 [item number], Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC.
Also available on microfilm, FILM Fo. 3538 (reduction ratio 12:1, 9 feet).
Originals of photocopied clippings in Folger curatorial files.
Arranged in two series: 1. Letters and 2. Newspaper clippings and offprints.
The letters have been arranged by correspondent and recipient, and then chronologically under each recipient.
The newspaper clippings and offprints are divided into copies of letters in the Folger collection and copies of other letters (in the collection of R.H. Wood in 1900), then chronologically according to date of publication in the
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Mentions her concerns about brother Tom and sister Betty: "methinkes great pitty they should be under such wants & discorragement...had [th]e younger children the proportion which doubtles god & nature intitles them to they might & would render you more comfort then for any thing I know or hear may be expected from our brother that will haue all."
Discusses the political and religious implications of a new court [i.e. of Charles II]: "It will be a gainefull thing me thinks for the countrey when all is settled, but there be some that fear that the mann[e]rs of [th]e new Court will be full of the outlandishe breeding of so many in forreine parts for all these years among popishe people."
A fragment, with corrections, of what appears to be an earlier draft of X.d.493 (1). Possibly in the hand of Mary Helsby's sister Elizabeth.
Comments on Cromwell's position: "It was not in m[att]res of this fauor that created Olliuer (and oth[e]rs to be read of), but some suche matter did holpen the uncrowneing of the poore King...But he who would over throwe him when there must wait upon patience to know if such an Oliu[e]r[es] power can hold all he hath gotten. Of all I have euer read this I conceiue to be the greatest of trialls Conquerers can be putt to."
Pleads with Helsby not to get entangled in a conspiracy that seems to have been afoot to overthrow Cromwell: "I do indeed exhorte you to walke not in the temptations of the times but I doubte not your desires & competencie to pleasure me herein as in all other things that toucheth us jointlie and seu[e]r[a]llie very perilouslie."
Note to self: Kisstie Birches, Hatton
Comments on reading (Edmund?) Spenser: "I am a reading of your newe book of Mr Spensers w[hi]ch I like well. I do belieue his poetry for excellency is as abundantly great & in as handsome & pretty language as many of the beste in the worlde."
Expresses concern about a friend of Helsby’s who "doth dig such pitfalls in the holy book" and repeats a humorous anecdote about Cromwell’s interaction with a minister, involving a pun on William Laud's name ("Laude"/Lord).
Gives an account of encountering highwaymen during a ride through the forest and a trip to church where they heard "a goodly sermon by a strange minister."
Comments that "Itt is uery sad & maketh me weepe to knowe so many of my ffreinds did lay so much more to the poor Kings charge than did [th]e King to theirs, albeit neither were uery discreet & [th]e king in truth calmly wetted his hands as much before in blood (at London tower) as his people did wet theirs afterwards / So it cometh to passe that all are punished for the sinfullness of many ..."
Exhibited: Letterwriting in Renaissance England, curated by Alan Stewart and Heather Wolfe, Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C., November 18, 2004-April 2, 2005.
Published: Letterwriting in Renaissance England / compiled and edited by Alan Stewart and Heather Wolfe. Washington, DC: Distributed by University of Washington Press, 2004, no. 49
Refers to preparations for their upcoming nuptials and offers her opinion of literary romances: "I am so bussy in making ready all my garnishments that I haue but had little time to read & I cannot now spare you more for many lett[e]rs butt I did read abed after we rid from Chester upon that wild windie day / I do not methinks approue of stories of romaunce all so alike that they seem as if I had read [th]e same one hundred times / besides that how vain it was (for him which writ it) to make [th]e yong gentle woman run awaie w[i]th a sweet hearte (her young[e]r of manie years) when all were agreed upon [th]e matche saue only his more sober unckle."
Describes her practice of disciplining servants through lecturing and whipping, but adds "Methinks my seuants do loue me much more than any mistresse is loued here aboutes."
Gives account of her travels and describes Bath. Mentions being at church on Sunday and meeting with "Master Eggerton & Mris Gerrard w[i]th yonge Rafe Helsby Mris ffanshowe & her seruante & some o[the?]rs." Mentions plans for vists to Bristow and Tamworth.
Begs forgiveness "for a neglecte w[hi]ch nought but sickeness did or could cause."
Address leaf: ffor Mris Mary Hatton att Quistie in Hatton These deliv[e]r.
Endorsed in Mary Hatton's hand: 14 Dec[embe]r 1653. Randolph.
Exhibited: Letterwriting in Renaissance England, curated by Alan Stewart and Heather Wolfe, Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C., November 18, 2004-April 2, 2005.
Exhibited: "Noyses, Sounds, and Sweet Aires": Music in Early Modern England, curated by Jessie Ann Owens, Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C., June 2-September 9, 2006.
Published: Letterwriting in Renaissance England / compiled and edited by Alan Stewart and Heather Wolfe. Washington, DC: Distributed by University of Washington Press, 2004, no. 50
Published: "Noyses, sounds, and sweet aires": music in early modern England, compiled and edited by Jessie Ann Owens. Washington, D.C. : Folger Shakespeare Library ; Seattle : Distributed by University of Washington Press, 2006, cat. 174
Comments on current fashions and references Cromwell in passing ("[th]e towne could not go in sackclothe & ashes foreu[e]r (w[hi]ch my l[or]d Oliuer verily knoweth): I doubted alwayes if [th]e fashion could last long after [th]e apparell was worne bare enough for stubborne folke to see [th]e nakidness of many of them")
Describes a boat ride on the Thames: "Wee had good voyces & singinge of maddricalls & others all [th]e waye to Hampton & backe againe," offering commentary on the voices of individuals present and reminding her of one lady's feet "like Chris Dixon's in the show from Leeds." Reassures her that "there be not many woman so greatly to my likeing allbeit twould be more to ill if you had her to learne her a little of yo[u]r graces, ffor I verily see fewer euerie day that could & would."
Address leaf: ffor the verie virtuous good Ladye the M[ist]ris Mary Hatton att Walthamstowe in Essexe. These pr[e]sent.
Endorsed by Mary Hatton: 2d July 1654. Randolph.
Pencil annotation: "In Wedy.'s Bladud, Jul. 5. 1899"
Printed title: 17th century love letters.
Includes some information about the Hatton family and a transcript of a letter from Mary Hatton (now Folger MS X.d.493 (8)).
Pencil annotation: "Pull. from the Bath "Bladud" of Wedy. 3d Jany. 1900. Tho. Helsby-Acton (Lincoln's Inn barr. at law)"
Printed title: 17th century love letters.
Consists of a transcript of a letter from Mary Hatton (now Folger MS X.d.493 (6)) and includes some information about Helsby properties mentioned in the letter.
Pencil annotations on (13a): "18-7-1900. To go with the original letters" (on recto) and "The Bath Bladud 18-7-1900" (on verso).
Printed title: 17th century love letters.
Consists of a transcript of a letter from Mary Hatton (now Folger MS X.d.493 (3)) and brief commentary on Mary Hatton's political opinions.
Pencil annotation: "Last in Bath Bladud. 8 Augt. 1900."
Printed title: 17th century love letters.
Consists of a transcript of a letter from Randolph Helsby (now Folger MS X.d.493 (9)) and brief commentary.
Pencil annotation: "Bath Chronicle 16.8.1900."
Printed title: Commonwealth love letters.
Consists of a transcript of a letter from Mary Hatton (now Folger MS X.d.493 (4)) and information on "Kisstie Birches" (commonly "Quistybirches" but often spelled "Custy Birches" as well as "Kistybirches") and Hatton and Helsby genealogy.
Pencil annotation: "23 Oct.? 1900. Bath? Chronicle"
Printed title: Commonwealth love letters.
Consists of a transcript of a letter from Randolph Helsby (now Folger MS X.d.493 (10)), as well as explanatory text that identifies individuals mentioned in the letter and provides genealogical/historical background.
Pencil annotation: "Pull from 'Bath Chronicle' 30 Augt. 1900."
Printed title: Commonwealth love letters.
Consists of a transcript of a letter from Mary Hatton (now Folger MS X.d.493 (5)), as well as explanatory text that provides historical context.
Pencil annotation: "Bath Chronicle 4.9.00."
Printed title: Commonwealth love letters.
Consists of a transcript of a letter from Mary Hatton (now Folger MS X.d.493 (7)), with commentary on the religious content and identification of some individuals mentioned in the letter.
Pencil annotation: "From The Bath Chronicle 6 Sept. 1900."
Printed title: Commonwealth love letters.
Consists of a transcript of a letter from Mary Hatton (now Folger MS X.d.493 (1)), with some genealogical information.
Pencil annotation: "Bladud, March 21 1900."
Printed title: 17th century love letters.
Transcript of a letter in which Helsby shares his opinions of the political situation: "For albeit I was never a Cavallier (although much of a caviller), mine head was scarse round enough for enie thing in those and these times, but to spie out the follies and knaveries of both sides."
The original of this letter not in the Folger collection.
Pencil annotation: "Bladud of July 21, 1900."
Printed title: 17th century love letters.
Transcript of two letters, apparently dated 6 months apart. Both letters mention Edward Pickering, who was buying property at the time, and land holdings. "My husband & myselfe wd have injoyed our visitation to our friends ..., but it was not a little marred by Pickering's false report of yr sickness ... dear father, I praye you to consider my small portion, as speedily as you are able. My dear husband hath sould much of his lands allready & our family I doubt not will increase ..." (Mary Helsby to Peter Hatton, June 6, 1659) and "Ned Pickeren [sic] will buy all up in theise parts in tyme; nevrless I trust yor bror may live to marrie sufficientlie to redeeme or auncestors short comings. I shall expect you to do the best, and 'twould be bettr counsail to remaine in London till the state be more settled ..." (Peter Hatton to Mary Helsby, January 5, 1659).
The originals of these letters are not in the Folger collection.
Clipping pasted to the same supporting leaf as X.d.493 (22).
Newspaper clipping accompanied by a late 19th or early 20th century manuscript copy of the same letter from Mary Helsby to her father. She refers to tough economic situations: "me thinks it were best (if there be any way for it, tho it were by lessening yr estate) to contract yr Detts as much as may, so what he hath may be cleere, & that he may not be tyed either to get such a portion or no wife...Sr. as to the Deed you made me, I presume you know the time is allmost out for the payment of it, so that I humbly desire to know yr. intention concerning it."
Pencil annotation on handwritten copy of letter: Mr. R.H. Wood FSA also has the original of this.
Pencil annotations on newpaper clipping: "The Bath Chronicle 20 Sept. 1900" and "T. Helsby-Acton. Bath. Sept. 16-00."
Printed title: Commonwealth love letters.
The original of this letter is not in the Folger collection.
Clippings and handwritten transcript pasted to the same supporting leaf as X.d.493 (21).
Transcript of a letter concerning some scandal about Helsby's conduct. Comments on her reading of a romance: "I have read under the old oake tree all of the booke you gave me last, w[hi]ch remembereth me that we must all do penance for our faults; nor can I ever forgive you without yo[u]r atoneing to me for this wickness of so many years. But, I am not so displeased with the maid of the story; albeit the spice in her is none so hot that I could not swallow up a score of her without crying. It vexeth me that he who writ of this wenche should make of her the myrror of chasteness & feelinge, when tis known in proper life so manie are as readie for naughtnesse as men can make them.""
Pencil annotation: "Blad[ud] To go with origl letter Mr. Wood's (Rugby or Hatton Cottage, Hatton and Warrington 1901)."
Printed title: 17th century love letters.
The original of this letter is not in the Folger collection.