MRP: 4th April 1663, Letter from Elizabeth Oxinden to Sir GO

4th April 1663, Letter from Elizabeth Oxinden to Sir GO

BL, Add. MS. 40,708 - 40,713, XXX, f. 94

Editorial history

05/06/09, CSG: Completed transcription
15/12/11, CSG: Created page & posted transcription to wiki

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Abstract & context

The writer of this letter, Elizabeth Oxinden, was the newly wedded wife of Sir George Oxenden's eldest brother, Sir Henry Oxenden. Hence she addresses Sir George as "Brother."

Both she and Henry had been widowed, Elizabeth once and Henry twice over. Elizabeth's deceased husband was from the neighbouring Dixwell family.

Separately, her son, the young Sir Basil Dixwell, wrote to his new "uncle." Both his and his mother's letters bear the date of April 4th, 1663.

Sir Henry's new wife attracted a lot of comment from Sir George Oxenden's relatives who were writing to him in the spring of 1663. Even Elizabeth Dallison's maid, Sarah Sharlee, expressed an opinion on "S:r Harrys Lady", writing: "I never thought shee would have bine soo good a wife as they say shee is."

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Suggested links

See profile of Broome Park (the Dixwell family house, which in the early C18th became the main Oxenden residence in preference to Deane)

See 4th April 1663, Letter from Basil Dixwell to Sir GO, Broome, Kent

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To do

(1) Check transcription against physical manuscript at BL

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Transcription

This transcription has been completed, but requires checking

[BL, Add. MS. 40,708 - 40,713, XXX, f. 94]

[f.94]

Deare Brother.

Haveing tyed myselfe by y:e nearest union to this family, cannot but w:th y:e rest of our freinds & deare relations take this seasonable opportunity to sallute, & present you w:th my reall service & due respects, you have had our prayers & well wishes for a safe & prosperous voyadge; & I trust y:e Lord hath answered us & will I hope give you á most happy returne to yo:r frends & native Countrey at y:e tyme appointed; Hary I hope is well & over Come all sea distempers I hope hee will prove a good Child & in all things serviceable unto soo good an uncle, I cannot but wish him an equall share of happyness with y:e rest, and as it ought to bee for it shall bee, I will assure you the maine of my endeavour to promote y:e famly y:e Lord hath now pleased mee in, but I shall forbeare y:e adding any more onely assure you y:t I am both senciable off, and thankefull for, all yo:r affectionate respects unto us, & ourse wishing y:t it Lay in my way to bee in any kinde serviceable to yow, if it dooth most freely Comand.

Deare Brother
Yo:r oblidged Sister and
Very servant.
Elizabeth: Oxinden

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