Description:As one of the country’s wealthiest and most prestigious families, the Leveson-Gowers often received letters from people in desperate need asking for financial assistance for themselves and their families. The letters came from all over England and in some cases from foreign people. They tell us much about people’s lives in the early nineteenth century, particularly the kinds of hardship faced by people unable to support their families.
Click on the images on the left to learn more about these stories.
Richard Parkinson, Nottingham, 1836
Richard wrote to the Duke of Sutherland offering to sell him some of his wife’s needle work in order to raise money for his family.
Stephen Loomes, Southwark, 1848
Unemployed, Stephen had recently suffered the loss of his wife. Left with three daughters he appealed to Duchess Harriet for help to pay a debt.
Julia McCrea, 1843
Read Julia’s appeal on behalf of the widow and children of her friend Professor Kidd.
Edward Glannaster, Wandsworth, 1853
Read about Edward’s work as a hay binder at Melrose Hall, the Sutherland family’s property in Wandsworth, Surrey, his injuries, and struggle to support his large family.
Thomas Erskine, Beighton, Sheffield, 1834
A distant relative of the Sutherland family, Thomas gives a history of his family and appeals to the Duke for help finding work to support his four sons.
Henry Dundas Perret, Hoxton, 1837
Suffering from physical disabilities, Henry’s income was tied up in funding his legal battle. Read about his appeal to the Duke for help to provide for his family.
Thomas Pearce, Haymarket, 1836
Thomas wrote to the Duke of Sutherland asking for his assistance to help his three daughters.
J. C. Von Metyradt, 1847
Von Metyradt, head of a German family, wrote to Duchess Harriet offering to sell her some of his wife’s workmanship. Read about his attempts to raise enough money to take his family back to Germany.
Micheal Bailey, London, c. 1850
Suffering from blindness, Micheal appealed to the Duke of Sutherland for financial assistance.
M. Mendlewitz, Haymarket, 1848
After suffering a serious illness, Mendlewitz appealed to Duchess Harriet for money to enable him to travel to Exeter to find work.
The image above shows a letter written to the Duke of Sutherland by Richard Parkinson, June 1836.