Woolwich, Decr 5: 1782.
Dear Brother
I have been here now about a fortnight, & find every thing quite to my wishes.
Dr. Hutton & the Lieutenant Governour have treated me with the greatest civility &
politeness. They contrived, without my knowledge, to get my warrant of appointment
dated back to the last quarter day, & have procured me several other advantages
that I had no right to expect. No house is yet ready for me. I am therefore at present in
lodgings, & find this answer my purpose full as well, especially as they allow me the
same rent, coals, candles, &c.
Our vacation begins in about a fortnight, &, on account of some alterations that
are to be made in the academy, is to last two months. Some part of this time I
intended to have spent with you at Weedon, but a circumstance has happen'd that
will put it out of my power. I have been unable to procure a proper person to succeed
me at Lord Pomfret's, & as his behaviour to me was so uncommonly civil & obliging, I
could do no less than offer him my services for this time, or at least, till somebody can
be found to answer his purposes.
The proposal I made him produced the following answer, which is so
outrageously flattering & polite that I cannot forbear to transcribe it.
Easton Castle, Decr: 1: 1782
Sir,
The knowledge you have of the love I bear my children, will sufficiently satisfy you
how greatly I am obliged to you for your kind offer. Were I to attempt to describe it, I
must borrow their words,
[end of page]
[This is a transcription of a photocopied page in the possession of Rob Bonnycastle, 1992]
Citations
- Microfilm of the Parish Register of Hardwick-with-Weedon, Buckinghamshire, 1558-1900 (Family History Library, 0919230), John Bonnycastle baptism, 1751.
- Will and Administration of John Bonnycastle of Weedon in the parish of Hardwick, 13 January 1781, proved in the Archdeaconry of Buckinghamshire, 25 August 1781 (Family History Library, 0088527).
- Letter from V Finch, England, to D Ledbetter, dated October 1977.
- Microfilm of the Parish Register of Hardwick-with-Weedon, Buckinghamshire, 1558-1900 (Family History Library, 0919230).
- Letter from V Finch, London, England, to J Kolthammer, dated 23 March 1993.
- W.P.W. Phillimore and F.W. Ragg Buckinghamshire parish registers, marriages, Phillimore, London (1902-1923).
- T.T. Wilkinson 'Notae Mathematicae', The Mechanics Magazine, LXI, July-Dec 1854, page 122 , viewed on Google Books.
- Alexander Chalmers, The General Biographical Dictionary (London: J Nichols and Son, 1812), viewed on Google Books, page 180.
- Sir Leslie Stephen ed. Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, London(1921-22) (http://www.ancestry.com, digital images), Bonnycastle, John p 824.
- Letter from John Bonnycastle, Woolwich, to his brother, dated Dec 5, 1782 (J Kolthammer, unsourced photocopy p1).