MILITIA

[Sir Francis Chantrey, sculptor, and his secretary Allan Cunningham, poet.] Manuscript Letter, written and signed by Cunningham on behalf of Chantrey, to William Tindal, regarding a monument to Colonel Page, with letter from Tindal to Mrs Page.

Author: 
Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey (1781-1841), sculptor; his secretary Allan Cunningham (1784-1842), Scottish poet and author; William Tindal [Colonel Frederick Page (1769-1834), Royal Berkshire Militia]
Chantrey
Publication details: 
Cunningham (signing as Chantrey) to Tindal: 'Belgrave Place [London] 7 January 1836'. Tindal to Mrs Page, 'Temple 7 Jany 1835'.
£350.00
Chantrey

An excellent document, providing an invaluable view of the practicalities of commissioning and executing public monuments in the Georgian period. See Chantrey's entry in the Oxford DNB, and Cunningham's, which states: 'In 1814 he was engaged by Chantrey as superintendent of his establishment, and gave up writing for newspapers. He lived afterwards at 27 Lower Belgrave Place, Pimlico. He acted as Chantrey's secretary, conducted his correspondence, represented him during his absence, and occasionally offered artistic assistance. He became a favourite of Chantrey's sitters and visitors.

[Oxford Militia; Col. William Gore-Langton, M.P. for Somerset.] Autograph Letter in the third person to army agents Messrs Cox and Greenwood, enquiring about arrangements for winter quarters for the Oxford Militia on their return from Ireland.

Author: 
Colonel William Gore-Langton [William Gore until 1783] (1760-1847) of Newton Park,, for 45 years Whig Member of Parliament for, successively, Somerset, Tregony and Somerset East [Oxford Militia]
Publication details: 
9 December 1799; Newton Park, near Bath [Somerset].
£38.00

See his entry in the History of Parliament, which quotes a contemporary source describing him as ‘one of the oldest reformers in the House’, ‘in favour of the ballot and the immediate abolition of slavery’. 1p, 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded four times. Begins: ‘Colonel Gore Langton presents his Compliments to Messrs: Cox and Greenwood, and as the Oxfordshire Regiment of Militia are expected to return from Ireland about Christmas, he is very desirous of being informed whether any arrangement has been made respecting their Winter Quarters’.

[Edward Gordon, Lord Penrhyn, Scottish politician and industrialist in Wales.] Autograph Signature ('Penrhyn'), as Lord Lieutenant of Carnarvon, to Manuscript Commission appointing D. G. Griffiths a lieutenant in the Royal Carnarvon Rifle Militia.

Author: 
Edward Gordon, Lord Penrhyn [Edward Gordon Douglas-Pennant, 1st Baron Penrhyn] (1800-1886), Scottish politician and Welsh industrialist [Captain David Glynne Griffith, Royal Carnarvon Rifle Militia]
Publication details: 
14 June 1869.
£120.00

1p., foolscap 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. On bifolium, folded twice into the customary packet, which is endorsed on the reverse of the second leaf: 'Dated 14th. June 1869. | The Right Honorable Lord Penrhyn | to | David Glynne Griffith Gentn | Commission as Lieutenant in the Royal Carnarvon Militia'. Added in another hand at foot: 'Gazetted 18th. June 1869.' . The twenty-three line commission of 'David Glynne Grifffith Gentleman (late Lieutenant 3rd. Regiment' is in a secretarial hand, signed at the foot by Penrhyn as 'Her Majesty's Lieutenant of the County of Carnarvon'.

[Edward Gordon, Lord Penrhyn, Scottish politician and industrialist in Wales.] Autograph Signature ('Penrhyn | Lord Lieutenant') to Commission appointing D. G. Griffiths to a captaincy in the Royal Carnarvon Rifle Militia.

Author: 
Edward Gordon, Lord Penrhyn [Edward Gordon Douglas-Pennant, 1st Baron Penrhyn] (1800-1886), Scottish politician and Welsh industrialist [Captain David Glynne Griffith, Royal Carnarvon Rifle Militia]
Publication details: 
9 August 1870.
£120.00

1p., foolscap 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. On bifolium, docketed on reverse of second leaf: 'Dated the 9th. August 1870. | The Right Honorable Edward Gordon Lord Penrhyn | to | Lieutenant D: G: Griffith | Commission promoting him to be Captain of and in the Royal Carnarvon Rifle Militia.' Added in another hand at foot: 'Gazetted 16th. Augt 1870.' . The twenty-four line commission (appointing Griffith 'vice Kneeshaw resigned) is in a secretarial hand, signed at the foot by Penrhyn.

[ Quakers and pacifism in the eighteenth century. ] Printed form ('No. 40.'), a warrant of distress for 'one of the people called quakers', who has failed to provide a substitute to serve in the militia.

Author: 
Quakers and pacifism in the eighteenth century [ W. Strahan and M. Woodfall, Law-Printers to his Majesty; T. Cadell, Bookseller in the Strand, London; Francis Newbold (b.1768), Macclesfield surgeon ]
Publication details: 
Printed by W. Strahan and M. Woodfall, Law-Printers to his Majesty; for T. Cadell, and sold only by the said T. Cadell, Bookseller in the Strand. Late eighteenth century ('in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and [blank]').
£120.00

1p., foolscap 8vo. In fair condition, on aged and worn laid paper, 1.5" closed tear. A printed form which has not been completed in manuscript. At top right: 'No. 40.', and the royal coat of arms at head. A rare and interesting piece of pacifist and Quaker ephemera, and a testament to nonviolent resistance.

'Burgess Ticket' for town of Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland, made out in manuscript on vellum, with armorial design in colours, for Captain James Kennedy, 1st Regiment, Royal Lanarkshire Local Militia, with declaration by 'A Hamilton Cl[er]k'.

Author: 
Alexander Hamilton, clerk of Hamilton, Lanarkshire [ Captain James Kennedy 1st Regiment, Royal Lanarkshire Local Militia; William Hamilton; John Torrance, Burgesses ]
Publication details: 
Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Declaration dated 13 July 1813.
£250.00

On both sides of a piece of vellum roughly 21 x 15.5 cm. An unusual survival, aged and discoloured in the fashion customary with vellum. On the front is a design of an armorial shield encircled in draperies, in ink and colours (blue, red, yellow), beneath which are the words 'Burgess Ticket | for | Captain Kennedy 1 Regt Royal Lanarkshire Local Militia | 1813'.

[ William Griffin, Secretary to the Board of Ordnance. ] 'Copy' circular letter, in secretarial hand, signed by him ('W: Griffin.'), to the 'Officer Commanding the Oldham Regiment of Local Militia', calling in their 'Arms and Accoutrements'.

Author: 
William Griffin (d.1827), Secretary to the Board of Ordnance, London [ John Crossley of Scaitcliffe, near Rochdale, Lancashire, collector; Napoleonic Wars ]
Publication details: 
Office of Ordnance [ London ]. 10 April 1816.
£220.00

1p., folio. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with some chipping and a few closed tears to edges. Addressed 'To | The Officer Commanding | the Oldham Regiment of Local Militia. | Oldham Lancashire' (i.e. John Crossley of Scaitcliffe near Rochdale, who built up a notable collection of military memorabilia, dispersed after his death). Attached to a leaf of paper with a note by the recipient concerning the permission he has been granted to retain a 'Musquet and Set of Accoutrements'.

[ Napoleon Bonaparte. ] Autograph Letter Signed from 'J Thompson | late Capt. 4th East York L[ocal]. M[ilitia].', presenting John Crossley of Scaitcliffe with 'Bonaparte's Star of the Legion of Honour'.

Author: 
Captain J. Thompson, 'late Capt. 4th East York L[ocal]. M[ilitia].' [ John Crossley of Scaitcliffe, near Rochdale, Lancashire; Napoleon Bonaparte ]
Publication details: 
Manchester. 12 December 1822.
£220.00

1p., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. The reverse of the second leaf, with seal in black wax, is addressed to 'Capt Crossley | &c &c &c | O L M', and the foot of the letter to 'John Crossley Esqre | Capt: Oldham L: M:' (Crossley, the commanding officer of the Oldham Regiment of Local Militia, built up a notable collection of military memorabilia, which was dispersed after his death.) The letter begins: 'With this you will receive the interesting little "Bijou" - Bonaparte's Star of the Legion of Honour for which I beg a place in your curious Collection.

[Sir Alexander Muir Mackenzie, Vice-Lieutenant of Perthshire.] Autograph Table, signed 'A. Muir Mackenzie Col', headed 'Return of the 3d or Central Regiment of Royal Perthshire Local Militia Commanded by Colonel Sir Alexander Muir Mackenzie Bart.'

Author: 
Sir Alexander Muir Mackenzie, 1st Baronet (1764-1835) of Delvine, Scotland, Vice-Lieutenant of Perthshire [The 3rd or Central Regiment of Royal Perthshire Local Militia]
Publication details: 
Perth [Scotland]. 29 July 1813.
£175.00

1p., foolscap 8vo. In fair condition, aged and with traces of previous mount on reverse. On laid paper with watermarked date of 1810. Laid out in landscape within ruled lines. Returns for '10 Companies', with 19 columns (totalling 1456 individuals), gathered into sections for 'Commissioned Officers', 'Staff Officers', 'N[on]. C[ommissioned]. Officers' and 'Rank & File'. In bottom left-hand corner: 'one Captain on leave | one Lieutenant Sick | 1 Major & 2 Captains supernumerary | 1 Lieut. & 2 Ensigns wanting'.

[John Campbell, 4th Earl and 1st Marquess of Breadalbane.] Autograph Letter Signed to him from Archibald Campbell ('Archd. Campbell') of Edinburgh, reporting on matter relating to Breadalbane's Highland Fencible Corps, the Breadalbane Fencibles.

Author: 
John Campbell (1762-1834), 4th Earl and 1st Marquess of Breadalbane, Scottish landowner [Archibald Campbell; the Highland Fencible Corps; Breadalbane Fencibles]
Publication details: 
Edinburgh; 16 July 1798.
£140.00

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. Address, with two postmarks, on additional leaf. In very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The letter contains references to Sir Ralph Abercromby, Sir Benjamin Dunbar, Lord McDonald, Lord Stonefield, the Duke of York, 'Mr. Geddes' and 'McGrigor'. It begins: 'Yesterday being Sunday I was prevented from doing any business, or leaving Town, before this day - I called on my friend Mr. Geddes to day, & communicated to him the reason of my absence from the Reg[imen]t.

Autograph Note Signed from John Blackburne of Orford Hall, Warrington, threatening John Percival with legal action if he does not hand over 'ye money you collected from my tenants in Risley'. With (Percival's?) itemised account of the money.

Author: 
John Blackburne (1694-1786) of Orford Hall, Warrington, naturalist and horticulturalist [John Percival; Risley, Lancashire]
Publication details: 
Blackburne's note dated from Orford, 28 May 1746. Later anonymous note to him dated 19 August 1756.
£180.00

Blackburne's note is 1p., landscape 12mo. The leaf on which it is written has a central vertical fold, with the reverse carrying the itemised account to the left, and the anonymous note to Blackburne to the right. On aged and damp-stained paper. Blackburne's note is blunt and to the point: 'Orford May 28. 1746 | John Percival | I expect that you pay me in a weeks time ye Money you collected from my tenants in Risley on acct. of the Militia or I shall order Mr Lancaster to sue you for it, without further notice | from | Your friend | J: Blackburne'.

Autograph Letter, Signed 'Glencairn', presumably written by Sir Adam Fergusson of Kilkerran, claimant of the Earldom of Glencairn, to the Earl of Eglinton, offering to raise a volunteer company 'to serve within the district' of the Parish of Kilbride

Author: 
Sir Adam Fergusson (1733-1813) of Kilkerran [Earl of Glencairn; Hugh Montgomerie (1739-1819), 12th Earl of Eglinton, Lord Lieutenant, County of Ayr; Scottish militia; Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland]
Publication details: 
Kilmarnock [Scotland]. 28 July 1798.
£180.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged paper with loss to corners caused by removal from mount. Glencairn writes that with Eglinton's 'approbation' he offers 'to raise for His Majesties Service an Independant [sic] or Volunteer Company in the Parish of Kilbride Ayrshire Consisting of Sixty Men inclusive of non comissioned [sic] Officers Drums & Fifes or otherways as shall be deem'd most proper - upon the Same Footing and Regulations as other Independant [sic] or Volunteer Companys - and to serve within the District'.

Autograph Letter Signed to the Earl of Aboyne (later the 9th Marquess of Huntly) from 'A C <Dugend?>' of Aberdeen, concerning the uniforms of 'the Band of Music' (Aberdeenshire Militia?), and containing a 'detailed estimate' of the cost.

Author: 
George Gordon, 9th Marquess of Huntly [known as the Earl of Aboyne from 1795 to 1836] (1761-1853) [the Aberdeenshire Militia (later the 3rd Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders)]
Autograph Letter Signed to the Earl of Aboyne
Publication details: 
2 January 1799; Aberdeen.
£280.00
Autograph Letter Signed to the Earl of Aboyne

Both letter and estimate clear and complete; both good, on lightly-aged paper. Letter: 4to, 3 pp. Bifolium. Addressed, with faint circular 'ABER | DEEN' postmark in black ink, on reverse of second leaf, to 'The Right Honourable | The Earl of Aboyne | Montrose'. The letter is in two parts: the first (12 lines) on the recto of the first leaf, informs the Earl that 'The Buttons were sent by yesterdays Mail', and that, 'Some days since', he 'sent by the Mail Coach a pattern Coat as a Uniform for the Band.

Printed authority completed in manuscript, 'To the Aldermen, Deputy, and Common-Council of the Ward of Queenhithe', signed by the City of London Commission of Lieutenancy, authorising the collection of a tax to pay the expenses of the City militia.

Author: 
Stuart Knill, Lord Mayor of London [The Ward of Queenhithe in the City of London; livery companies; tax; economic history]
Publication details: 
25/05/91
£150.00

On the recto of the first leaf of a folio bifolium (leaf dimensions 42.5 x 27.5 cm). On grey watermarked laid paper. Good, with slight offsetting from the ten red wafers placed beside the signatures. Headed 'LONDON. To the ALDERMEN, DEPUTY, and COMMON-COUNCIL of the Ward of [Queenhithe]'. Fifty-two lines of text, with manuscript additions, including the name of the ward ('Queenhithe') and the sum assessed (£89 15s 6d). At the foot of the page are large, bold signatures of the ten members of the Commission of Lieutenancy, including that of the Lord Mayor, Stuart Knill.

Document signed, "Palmerston", addressed to "E. Biscoe Eyre"

Author: 
Viscount Palmerston
Publication details: 
30/06/12
£100.00

War Office Circular No. 121. One page, fol. Printed with manuscript additions. The document refers to "certain Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures" which should be remitted to the Bank of England and placed to the account of "the Agent-Genral for the Local Militia". The addressee (Eyre) is to levy and remit, notifying Palmerston.

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