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The mystery about this letter is that it has been sealed three times, with three different seals, one with the initials T P of the writer of the first part of the letter, then two more on top of the original, but it is hard to know in which order they were applied. One of them is a clear horse's head. These images are enlarged to show the details, but even like this the third one does not seem to represent anything.
  
The letter was sent from Sydnall, near Shiffnall, Shropshire dated July 14 1820, addressed to Revd Thomas Butt, Manor House, Harrow, London. The postal markings are what makes it all so interesting. It has the SHIFFNAL 146 mileage mark in red in, a London double rim morning duty stamp in red ink for 13 JY 18 1820. This is before the letter was written according to the date inside.
Next the London evening duty despatch date stamp very poorly applied over the join of the letter, which seems to be JU 17 1820 double rim in black ink. There are three charge marks 8 10 and 11, which seems to match the pencilled note by a previous owner of the letter stating that it was re-directed twice. However, Rev. Butt’s address has been crossed through and replaced with J.F. Congreve, Stony Stratford Bucks, which is the first re-direction. When the letter is turned around that address is repeated on the back of the address panel, but as it is the same name and address, I cannot see that this is a second re-direction. Perhaps the text of the letter which as far as I can identify is written in two different hand-writings, not three, could explain. There is also a partially applied black circular date stamp just above the three wax seals, but is impossible to read, although it could possibly be for Harrow ?
This is the first part of the letter, clearly dated.
Sydnall July 14 1820
Near Shiffnall Shropshire
Revd Sir
Application having been made to me for the payment of the Poor Rates on Longdon Tithes, I referred the Officer to the Agents of the Marquis of Anglesea who decline paying until they have a good Title, and as I do not know how the business now is, not having ever had any communication thereon but with you I take the liberty of asking if it is in a train of being settled or whether any arrangement is understood to be made as to this years Tithe as the time for letting them is past approaching and will beg the favour of your directions.
On the other side is an extract from the Longdon lease reserving the power of giving notice under the present Contract and I beg the favour of your ascertaining from Mr Congreve whether I can as Agent to the parties give the Notice and in that case to send me a form, but if the parties themselves must sign it then he should forward it for their signatures with directions to send it to me for delivery.
Have you made any arrangement for your residence at Kinnersley or in the neighbourhood. I presume in either case you would wish me to give notice to Mr Spearman before Michaelmas.
I am, Revd. Sir
very Respectfully
your obliged & obedt Hble St
Thomas Pearce
The signature is actually by a different hand from the writing above it.
On the other side of the page is the extract mentioned in the earlier paragraph. This is in the first handwriting. In addition to the long s when a double s appears in a word, it is full of abbreviations like sd. for said, Condn for condition, expiran for expiration,Assins for Assigns/Assignees etc., which I have left as written.
And it is mutually agreed by & between the sd. Parties and these presents are upon this Condn that in case the sd hereby demised premises shall actually & bonafide be sold by the sd Lessors their Heirs Assins or Trustees at any time before the expiran of the sd term of 14 yrs then and in such case this Demise shall end & determinise on any 25th Day of a week after such sale shall have taken place, provided the said Will Pickin his Exrs Admrs or Assns shall have received six Calendar months notice thereof and in such case the sd W. Pickin his Exrs Admrs & Assns shall and will quit and deliver up the quiet and peaceable possn of all the sd premises accordingly upon such 25th Day of a month after such notice.
There is then a list of names
Parties to the Lease
Revd. T Butt
Henry Sherwood Esq
Mary Martha his wife
Revd. C. R. Cameron
Lucy Lyttleton his wife.
The next development is a new handwriting and this is written on the outside ‘wings ’ of the outside of the letter, which would be inside once it was folded and sealed with the wax again.
Harrow, Sunday July 1820
My dear Cousin,
I have just recd this letter & am sure you will see the absolute necessity of taking steps about the business without delay. Pray write to Mr Pearce & give him direction what to do. I shall depend on your answering them & therefore will not write myself as your letter to him, will be much more satisfactory. Please to tell him that Mr Spearman should have notice before Michs, (Michaelmas). We are in great distress & confusion. Mrs E’s house was robbed two nights ago of property in plate &c to a great amount. We had no personal alarm. I am exceedingly sorry for your Domestic….
He had then run out of room so to continue, he opened the letter and wrote the rest of his information upside down, with another intriguing piece of information.
...troubles in consequence of the failure of the London Bank. I am aware that it must necessarily trespass on your time now occupied in very important matters. Still this also is very important to the parties interested & to ourselves & no time ought to be lost about valuing the tithe.
Ever yours affecte
Thos. Butt.
So that is one part of the puzzle, Thomas Butt the original addressee decided to forward the letter to his cousin Mr Congreve, in Stony Stratford. In our experience it is more usual for a letter to be re-directed, if it has not been opened, to the same addressee but at a different address, but in this case the letter was obviously opened, read, and then re-directed and sent on.
It would also be interesting to know which London Bank had failed in early 1820.
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