Description:This letter, dated simply ‘Friday’ was sent from Dunrobin Castle by Mr. Prentice, the Clerk to the Duke of Sutherland’s Accountant, to Mrs. Ingram the Housekeeper at Trentham Hall. The letter concerns arrangements for a visit to Trentham by Lord Grosvenor and his new wife. The letter shows the importance of household staff in preparing for visitors and reveals the enormous range of tasks which were overseen by the Housekeeper.
Prentice tells Mrs. Ingram that he was sending additional kitchen staff and straw to Trentham. He asks Mrs. Ingram to give the Under Butler the key to the cellar commenting ‘I have told him to telegraph for any wine that he finds wanting’.
Mrs. Ingram was also responsible for overseeing the payment of wages to the servants at Trentham Hall. Prentice advises that staff serving Lord Grosvenor and his Steward should be put ‘on Housekeeping’, whilst other servants should be put ‘on Board Wages’.
Other letters sent to Mrs. Ingram refer to the ordering of supplies such as ginger beer, cleaning china, and overseeing the laundry.