August 28, 1812 letter from William Griffin to Thomas Haweis
|
Title |
August 28, 1812 letter from William Griffin to Thomas Haweis |
|
Post Date |
August 28, 1812 |
|
Author |
Griffin, William |
|
Recipient |
Haweis, Thomas (1734-1820) |
|
Date |
1812-08-28 |
|
Physical Description |
4 pp. total; 3 pp. text; 1 p. address |
|
Dimensions |
21.4 x 32.2 cm |
|
Location (Box, Folder) |
Box 1, File 51 |
|
Address To |
Bath |
|
Country To |
England |
|
Address From |
Thrapston |
|
Country From |
England |
|
Transcriber |
Gareth Lloyd |
|
Plain Text Transcription |
From William Griffin at Thrapston in Northamptonshire, to T.H. in Bath, Somerset. Griffin will render in this letter an account of his illness and miraculous recovery. His affliction was caused by Griffin’s own ‘pride and imprudence.’ Towards the end of May, two masons, two thatchers and two gardeners were at work in Aldwincle – Griffin was impatient to see how they were doing and as the waters were no higher than usual between Thorpe and Aldwincle bridge, he attempted to cross. Griffin ‘had a low horse and a high water’ and after getting half way across decided against turning back because it might make him look cowardly. The water was by that time as high as his mid-leg. ‘I imprudently stayed 2 or 3 hours on my return home, had the same water to come through. I intended returning by old mill but was informed my horse would be swallowed up. At home I took some brandy and went to bed, felt a little chill next day, but I hoped to shake it off and forgot it, but in two days I was seized with such a violent chill, was immediately helped to bed …’ Griffin was very ill indeed and suffered great pain. Spiritual matters are discussed. Through God’s mercy, he has now been restored to his customary good health. His recovery is a wonder to himself and all who saw how ill he was. Spiritual matters are discussed. His opinion has not changed regarding Mr L.P. [Llewellyn Powys] ‘for I still entertain a higher opinion of the Rector than I do of the curate though Mr L.P.’s station is the highest I think the Rector much the lowest in his own eyes, I consider Mr L.P [unreadable word] the prejudice of education, the [unreadable word] of his present connections and his difficulties in life and at present the little acquaintance he can be supposed to have with the [unreadable word] of his own heart…’ Spiritual matters are further discussed in detail. Reference is made to [Richard Ash] Hannaford and to the difficult relations between the Powys family and Griffin acting as T.H.’s agent. Griffin could not but lose his temper on one occasion, ‘saying [Frederick Powys] had the pride of a Spaniard and the ignorance of a hottentot…perhaps the words might as well have been kept in, but if Mr F.P.’s actions correspond with the charge, I shall not feel the least inclined to retract…’ It is surprising that someone who has been so zealous in promotion of the Bible Society can criticise those who for years have been trying to unite Christians from every denomination. Matters are discussed in detail with regard to the administration of estate business and T.H’s remaining affairs in Aldwincle. (1 sheet, 4p.) 28 August 1812 |
|
Notes |
Endorsed: L[lewellyn] and F[rederic] Powys, [Richard Ash] Hannaford, etc. William Griffin may have been a parish official at Aldwincle. Frederic Powys was the son of a former Rector of St Peter, Aldwincle, and Curate of the parish of Titchmarsh. |
|
Digitization Date |
Digitized: 2012 |
|
Digitization Process |
Digitization process: Derivatives resized at 4030 pixels in height or width |
|
Digital Publisher |
Bridwell Library, Special Collections; Perkins School of Theology; Southern Methodist University |
|
Rights |
Permission to publish materials must be obtained from the Head of Special Collections of the Bridwell Library |
|
Decade |
1810-1819 |
you wish to report:
...
Thomas Haweis Documents and Images at Bridwell Library
