L53 – Death of a Father

Merton April 26th: 1802

My Dear Mr: Matcham
from your kind
letter of yesterday describing my Fathers
situation I have no hopes that he can
recover, Gods will be done. had my Father
expressed a wish to see me unwell as I am
I should have flown to Bath, but I believe
it would be too late, however should it be
otherwise and he wishes to see me no consi:
:deration (consideration) shall detain me a moment.
I have sent for William to come to Merton
for should my Father be no more, he is
his sole Executor as I have understood
I shall therefore only say that he is to
be buried at Burnham, with kindest
affection to my Sister Believe me Sir
your most affectionate Brother
Nelson & Bronte

George Matcham Esq. [Nelson’s brother-in-law]

Merton April 28th: 1802

My Dear Mr: Matcham
My Brother William does
not come up but he has offered to arrange
all the business at Burnham which I shall
write him to do this day therefore/ if it is
according to your ideas, it is my wish that my Father should
be sent attended by a mourning coach, Abram (Abraham)
and some other person with him, to Burnham
to be put down at the Parsonage House, from
whence he will be buried with all that respect
and attention becoming his Excellent Life
and the Worthy and Beneficent Pastor of
His Parish for 45 years, no proper expense
shall be wanting and beyond that is not
necessary. The minute parts of the ceremony
my mother shall settle. I am not yet fixt
whether I shall go to Burnham, my state of
health and what my feelings would na:
:turally (naturally) might be of serious consequence
to myself. I will in the first place defray

the whole of the accounts, and afterwards we
can look to the settling them if any effects
remain, therefore I beg you will open the
Writing Box and see the Will. You will find
some money I believe to go on with, and
whatever you do I am sure will meet my
entire approbation. respecting Abraham
‘till I can get him some small place I will
give him an annuity so far his mind
may weary I promised it to my Father.
I should have been sorry if my Sister had not
the Tea Pot, or any other little thing she
chose Mr: Bolton may also wish for
some dear remembrance. The Cane
my Father always told me was for you
therefore for his & my sake keep it.
I have exuted my spirits to endearment to
be clear, and forgive my writing more
today for in truth I am unable

L53-003b

but with kindest love to my Dear Sister
I am Ever your affectionate Brother

Nelson & Bronte