Gipp

Letters from the Past

To Mr Gipp of Chelmsford, from Mr Parker of Maidstone, 1812

Unfortunately one third of this interesting letter has been torn off, and that part contained the date stamps of the towns where the letter was lodged and where it was received. However there is a town mileage stamp in red of MAIDSTONE 38, faintly applied across the address panel. The charge mark of 1/2 is clear but there is also a partly inscribed but crossed through amount, which looks as though it could have been a 9.

The writing all over the outside of the letter was applied by the addressee, not the writer of the letter, and is accounting details, (in pounds shillings and pence) with dated sums, and filing notes.

The reason why the one part of the letter was torn off can be found when the letter is opened and transcribed. On the inside is a short note.

Maidstone 14th Jany1812
Sir
The enclosed Dft for £ 39.19.6 you will have the goodness to place to the Credit of Mr Parker & acknowledge the Same.

The rest has been torn off, and this included the signature. This was obviously the Draft referred to in the note.

Then on opening the letter the inside page is written by Mr Gipp, and although there are abbreviations used, they are legible, but there is one word which is difficult to decipher, in bold type with a question mark after it.

Chelmsford 20th Feb 1812
Sir On the 19 Nov last I sent you Mil’a? Acct of Claims due to Mr Hall the late Dep. Treasr of the East Divn of the Co amounting to £ 22.2.8. I sent one at the same time to Mr Cowton of Canterbury amounting to £117.12.6 who informed me it was referred by the Court at the last Qtr Sessions to a Committee of Magistrates for examinatn
As I have not reced a remittance from you or any answer to this demand I shd be obliged to you to let me hear from you on the subject of this account to enable me to report to the Committee for auditing Militia accounts thereon.
I am Sir Your ob st
JHG
R. Parker Esq Maidstone.

Note: It is possible that the first word queried is short for Militia.

The letter was sealed with a big blob of red sealing wax with the mark of the signet ring of a beautiful horse in a ring of dots.

So, although the letter is incomplete, there is still a surprising amount of information which can be obtained. I would like to know why his signet ring sported this lovely horse. If there had been a motto included, it could have been possible to trace the owner but with only the horse to go by, this has proved a dead end.

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