ARISTOCRATIC WOMEN
The Social, Political and Cultural History of Rich and Powerful Women

Part 2: The Correspondence and Diaries of Charlotte Georgiana, Lady Bedingfeld (formerly Jerningham) c1779-1833, together with the letters of Anna Seward, c1791-1804 and Lady Stafford, c1774-1837 from Birmingham University Library

CATALOGUE OF THE ANNA SEWARD LETTERS

Anne, or Anna, the ‘Swan of Lichfield’, 1742-1809, poet and letter-writer, was born at Eyam, Derbyshire. She was the only surviving child of Elizabeth (Hunter) and the Rev. Thomas S Hunter (also a poet, and Canon of Lichfield from 1754). He started her on Milton at two; she wrote religious verse at 10 or 12; but soon her parents took fright at her growing erudition and began to oppose it. She lived at Lichfield from the age of 10. An accident in 1768 left her lame, though still a hearty walker. In 1780, she drew public notice with elegiac poems on David Garrick and Captain Cook. She followed this with a poem in 1781 about Major André, (once a suitor of Honora Sneyd, who then married Maria Edgeworth’s father, and was hanged in the USA, a victim of a spy-story skullduggery), and another poem about Anne Miller (who had provided a much-needed literary outlet), 1782.

In 1784 four editions of Anna Seward’s verse novel Louisa appeared. This was her favourite work, something she had started aged only 19, rather formal but innovative in plan. The Gentleman’s Magazine carried her versions of Horace’s odes, and many controversial letters (as ‘Benvolio’, 1786-7), and later under her own name, about Johnson, Boswell and Piozzi; and later to H M Williams, in 1793, begging her to leave France. Anna Seward’s literary friends included Erasmus Darwin, Thomas Day and William Hayley. Her local ties were strong, her literary friendships extensive, her interest in female writing wide-ranging, her views both mocked and respected. She published a poem on her friends the Ladies of Llangollen in 1796, her sonnets in 1799, and Memoirs of Erasmus Darwin in 1804. With negotiations stalled on her collected works, she left her manuscripts to Sir Walter Scott. He edited her work which was published in three volumes with a memoir in 1810.

Letters 1-8 to Colonel [Thomas] Dowdeswell.

AS1 19 May 1791 ALS recounting several incidents and instances in defence of the legality of the marriage of Mr and Mrs Burt - late of the Island of St Croix - against rumours to the contrary prevalent in Lichfield. Laws of inheritance in St Croix as they affected Mrs Burt.

AS2 12 March 1792 ALS referring to the evidence recounted in letter of 19th May 1791, about Mr and Mrs Burt, which is now known to be a deception. The Burts’ travels on the Continent and monetary matters. The decline in health of Mr Saville and his convalescence in Bath.

AS3 4 January 1793 ALS. Thanks for a gift [? of woodcocks] to herself and Mr Saville. Comments on government and opposition M Ps’ recent actions. Praise of Mr Fox. Reference to ‘hapless Lewis’ and to the situation in France.

AS4 23 December 1794 ALS. Thanks for gift of woodcocks. News that the Burts have returned to their estate at Colton but are spurned by Lichfield society. Autumn visit to Hoyle Lake and verses written about it.

AS5 30 November 1797 ALS. Thanks for the annual gift [? of woodcocks]. Account of a concert held in Birmingham in honour of Duncan’s victory at the recent battle [of Camperdown]. Health of the Marshalls. The conduct of French prisoners of war resident in Lichfield. Comments on the ‘horrid remorseless war’. Criticism of government policy against France.

AS6 30 January 1798 ALS. Condolences on the death of Mrs Marshall.

AS7 29 October 1798 ALS on the fitness of his marriage to Miss Paisley. The qualities that ought to be possessed by a woman to be worthy of Colonel Dowdeswell. Quotation from ‘The Merchant of Venice’ speech on mercy. Congratulations also conveyed from Mr Saville and Miss Smith. Comments on recent naval victories and reiteration of hopes for an early peace settlement.

AS8 28 November 1799 ALS. Thanks for the gift of woodcocks. Comments on inclement weather of the past summer. Expresses regret of recent visit to Shrewsbury that the Colonel is no longer resident there. Increasing ill-health prevents the enjoyment of Lichfield society as she would wish.

Letters 9, 10 and 12 to Thomas Dowdeswell.

AS9 26 February 1801 ALS. Thanks for the usual gift of woodcocks. Pleasure at forthcoming visit of the Dowdeswells to Lichfield. Remarks of Mr Saville on lampoons. The health of Mr Saville and continued ill health of herself. Bitter criticism of the government and its handling of the wars. (Personal mentions include Pitt, Dundas, Lord St Vincent, and Jervis).

AS10 9 December 1803 ALS. Thanks for the usual gift [of woodcocks?], and for condolences received. The manner of Mr Saville’s death recounted and her feelings at his loss. Hopes that her own ill health will not again deprive her of a visit from the Dowdeswells. Denial of being the author of an article in the 'Gentleman’s Magazine’. Details of Mr Saville’s finances at the time of his death. Miss Seward’s personal provision for his family. Criticism of government war policy. Comments on the conduct of ‘the Corsican despot’ [Napoleon].

AS11 n.d Holograph epitaph by Miss Seward on John Saville, ‘48 years vicar choral of Lichfield Cathedral, died 2nd December 1803,’ to be inscribed on the memorial tablet in the cathedral. (20 lines).

AS12 21 July 1804 ALS. Explanation of necessity for visit to Buxton instead of to Pool Court. Comments on Britain as ‘the incendiary of Europe’, and on the loss of the American Dominions. Description of an excursion undertaken with a young cousin, in the Buxton area.

AS13 17 September 1804 ALS to Mrs Dowdeswell. Thanks her for a recent visit to Pool Court. Comparison of her present place of residence (Winterbourne) to Pool Court. Detailed description of the house and grounds at Winterbourne, and details of daily life there.

AS14 6 March 1792 Draft of letter to Miss Seward from [? Colonel Dowdeswell]. Giving ‘proof’ of the marriage of Mr and Mrs Burt not being legal, enclosing a letter from General Matthews. Postscript to Mr Saville concerning a poem and a parcel of music. [Note: This is probably the letter referred to in AS2, 12th March 1792].

AS15 18 January 1793 Draft of letter to Miss Helen Williams in Paris. Regrets Miss Williams left Britain for 'regions of anarchy, tumult and murder’. Discussion of the notion of democracy - ‘absurd and impossible system of equality’, and its effect on the French people. Reproaches and advice to Helen Williams. The September massacres and Louis XVI. The situation in England.

AS16 7 January 1804 ALS to John Nichols, bookseller of Fleet Street, about a bereavement and a forged sonnet published under her name.

AS17 19 November 1764 ALS from Elizabeth Seward to her daughter, Anna, acknowledging the latter’s letters from London, as well as oysters and candles. Sends orders for clothes for Lichfield friends.

AS18 24 November 1764 ASL from Thomas to his daughter, Anna, repressing relief that she has rejected the suit of military gentleman; a new suitor; friends and business affairs at Eyam; regards to London friends, “particularly Mr Garrick”.

AS19 12 December 1781 ALS to her aunt Mrs Martin. Sending news of local affairs, including the theatre; her father’s health, the impending visit of William Hayley to Lichfield.

AS20 n.d Slightly damaged. ALS to Mrs Collins at Lisbon regretting their parting.

AS21 n.d Part of ALS to William Hayley sending regards, etc.

AS22 12 January 1795 ALS to ? declining a request to give her poems to the Exeter Poetical Society.

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