Showing 324 results

Personal and professional papers of the Munby family, including those relating to their relatives in the Forth, Pearson, Woodhouse, and Williamson families. The papers and correspondence principally date between 1780s-1820s, and relate to the family of Joseph Munby (1804-1875), a solicitor in York. The papers include, amongst others, those relating to: his parents, Joseph Munby (c1773-1816) and Jane Munby, formerly Jane Pearson (c1774-1819); his wife, Caroline Eleanor Munby, formerly Caroline Eleanor Forth (1806-1879); and his parents-in-law, the Reverend John Forth (c1764-1816) and Elizabeth Forth, formerly Elizabeth Woodhouse (c1770-1820s or 1830s).

The collection provides an insight into middle class life in and around York in the late 18th and early to mid 19th century. The items in the collection include references to national and international affairs, international travel, the work and training of a solicitor, and the management of a large country estate, however they are also important for the information they give about everyday life during that time period.

Many of the letters contain descriptions of personal relationships, health and wellbeing concerns, social life and leisure activities, and reflections on life and the world in general. The papers of the Forth family, including housekeeping account books, travel dairies, household inventories, and expenses and bills, are especially interesting for reading about the workings of a household during this time period.

Summaries, transcriptions, and extracts of individual items have been provided by a volunteer.

THE FOLLOWING IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION AND SOME SUBJECT THEMES CONTAINED WITHIN IT, COMPILED BY THE CITY ARCHIVIST IN 1969. THIS DESCRIPTION INLCUDES REFERENCES TO LETTERS AND PAPERS WITHIN THE COLLECTION (REFERENCES HAVE BEEN UPDATED):
This collection of family papers consists of an interesting variety of household accounts and diaries, professional papers and personal correspondence of the Munby Family and their ancestors on the female side. The papers had been partially sorted and some annotated, mostly by Frederick William Munby. He and his elder brother, Arthur Joseph Munby, also made quite extensive genealogical researches about 1880 and their notes and draft pedigrees are included.

Most of the material dates from the late 18th and early 19th centuries and reveals much about the life and general attitudes of a prosperous middle-class family of that period. Many of the letters are of a purely personal nature, written without any thought for the interests of posterity. One or two, obviously written in haste, expressly charge the recipient with their destruction.

Members of the Munby family were closely connected with the city of York throughout the period, although they lived for a time at Fulford, before building “Clifton Holme”. The town house in Blake Street, which they inherited through the female branches of the family, the Forths and Woodhouses, was occupied for many years by the firm of Munby and Scott, solicitors. The interest of the papers is by no means confined to York. John Forth was for many years agent and chaplain to the Earl of Carlisle at Castle Howard and one group of letters related to the management of the estate. All the family seem to have travelled quite extensively and there are letters and accounts of visits to Scarborough, London, Bath and Paris. In 1792, Mark Forth emigrated to Canouan, a small island which is part of St Vincent and Grenadines in the Caribbean.

The Personality of the Munby Family
The personal letters are sufficiently plentiful and natural to reveal much about the personalities and lives of the family, particularly the six orphaned children of Joseph Munby, senior and his wife Jane Pearson. The eldest, Joseph, was about 12 when his father died and the youngest, Lucy 1 year old. Their mother died only 3 years later. Joseph’s letters reveal his affection for his younger brothers and sisters, his generosity towards them, and a great deal of common sense about their up-bringing. On his 21st birthday he sent them all small presents, wishing he could afford to be more generous, and advising Jane and Margaret not to command Lucy so much or she would grow up unable to make decisions for herself. He also expressed concern about Giles’s studies and what professions he and John should enter. Jane’s letters, too, show concern for the younger ones, frankness and a lively sense of humour. Her comment on learning of Joseph’s engagement was that she had already told him her only objection, with an admission that she might have been mistaken in that.

Though their father’s trustees were apparently responsible for the children’s schooling and financial affairs, their maternal grandmother, Mrs Jane Pontey, attempted to supply motherly advice and to have them to stay with her at Kirkheaton during their school holidays. In 1822, she expressed her concern to Joseph about Lucy’s cough and suggested her teeth needed attention, at the same time advising him (he was, then 18) about his love affairs: not to become involved too young, and “concerning the young lady mentioned, to await the will of Providence and pay no particular attention to any other.” [Letter MFP/5/8/5, dated 5 October 1822]. Mrs Pontey was extremely religious, as is best shown in an earlier letter to her daughter referring to the sudden deaths of three friends.

Legal Training
Joseph Munby subsequently entered the legal profession and was articled in his late father’s office. His father had intended that he should become a partner in the firm, but the arrangement was not honoured. Joseph was very dissatisfied with the monotony of the work at first and the way of teaching law at York [Letter MFP/5/9/1, dated 26 January 1821] and subsequently moved to London to widen his experience. He paid a Mr Atherley 100 guineas to remain with him a year or longer, and soon determined to establish his own practice in York. [Letter MFP/5/9/5, early 1820s]

London
While in London, Joseph Munby did a certain amount of sight-seeing and described his impressions of the capital in letters to his grandmother, Mrs Pontey, and his sister, Jane Munby. His first comment was that he was not particularly astonished with anything in London, except Regent Street which was very fine, and he was in no doubt that the quality of the service at York Minster was superior to that as St Paul’s “where they attempted to chant and perform diverse other ridiculous imitations of the Minster service.” [Letter MFP/5/10/4, dated 6 December 1824] He visited the theatre to see Kean playing Shylock in 1825 and said that the rows about him were now over. The theatre was full and the audience very respectable. [Letter MFP/5/10/6, dated 15 February 1825] Vauxhall he considered very imposing but thought the amusements “all nonsense”.

Travel
The papers span the period when water transport was the usual means of conveying bulky goods and coach travel was at its height, only to suffer a rapid decline with the spread of the railway network. Both phases are well illustrated in these papers. There is a small account book of James Woodhouse’s expenses incurred on business journeys to London, Portsmouth, Bristol, Hull, Scarborough, Liverpool and Scotland between 1778 and 1780 [reference MFP/1/3/1] and very detailed accounts of Miss Elizabeth Woodhouse’s three visits to Bath with her aunt between 1787 and 1791. These include lists of all the inns visited on route, the mileage travelled each day and a list of all their luggage in 1791. [reference MFP/1/3/5] In 1818, Mrs Forth spent £11 19s 9½d on a three day journey to fetch her daughter from her school at Doncaster and bring her home to Ganthorpe. Engraved bills of three of the inns visited are preserved with the accounts. [reference MFP/1/3/11]

Within 20 years the railways were beginning to make their impact on travelling habits. Between 1838 and 1840, three of Mrs Caroline Munby’s friends commented on rail travel in their letters. One, writing from Slough, said that the 20 mile journey to London took only three quarters of an hour by the Great Western Railway which had an almost hourly service. The Telegraph was working between Drayton and Paddington and her husband was instructing deaf and dumb boys how to work it. The penny post was introduced the following year. On the evening of 5th December [1839] it was said that there were 60,000 letters posted compared with an average of 25,000 and the decrease in revenue was £1,000 per day. The writer thought that the railroads would bring the best of everything to the provinces but that they were very disagreeable modes of travelling : “The stations are little better that watchboxes for a guard.” In another letter, she hoped she might see her distant friends more often “now the railroads are becoming general". Her mother and Ellen had arrived in London at 9pm which she considered “most extraordinary when I think they only left York that morning.” Pleasant company had meant that they had “no time to be afraid”. In the same year wrote that she was thankful they “got home safe by the Railway as there are so many accidents almost daily”. [Letters MFP/5/12/5, MFP/5/12/6, MFP/5/12/8 and MFP/5/12/9]. In 1857, Mrs Munby’s daughter, “Carrie” wrote to her brother that two trips had been run to Scarborough, each taking a 1000 people. No doubt such excursions had encouraged the decision to build at the Spa. She had written on notepaper engraved with a view of the Saloon as she thought he would like a view of the Spa before the building began. [Letter MFP/5/13/1, dated 21 September 1857]

National Affairs
The majority of comments on these matters occur in the letters to the Revenerd John Forth, the Earl of Carlisle’s agent and chaplain at Castle Howard. Francis Gregg, writing from London on 24 December 1788, on behalf of Lord Carlisle, added that he could not foresee the appointment of regent [to the crown] before the following week. Even then it would remain to be seen whether the prince would accept it, despite the restriction, and whether he would venture to appoint a new administration. Mr Pitt had so far been victorious against him in every question. [Letter MFP/4/1/3, dated 24 December 1788] In the following February [1789] he reported that the King was much improved, but that the minister was in an unenviable dilemma because if they declared him well enough to pass the Supply Bills they would set him at liberty to do all other acts, however absurd. [Letter MFP/4/1/5, dated 23 February 1789]

Many of Greggs' later letters include comments on the progress of the Napoleonic Wars and their general effects. He comments that despite the loss of a port, enough damage had been done, to the [French] navy to hold them back for 20 years. [MFP/4/1/9, 20 January 1794] Lord Carlisle himself wrote to John Forth in March 1794 about the raising of a volunteer corps in case the country should be invaded. He wished to have a list of those who would support the scheme in the Castle Howard district. Both the amount of service and the expense involved would be slight. [Letter MFP/4/1/10, dated 13 March 1794] No letters have survived for the next 4 years, but in 1798, Lord Carlisle wrote twice about the formation of a corps of riflemen. In these letters, he again wished to have a list of those willing to serve and hoped they could be entrusted not to use their uniforms except in their military capacity. He states that he had been promised some arms and a drill sergeant and would probably come to Castle Howard when they arrived. He instructs the Reverend John Forth to find some convenient and safe place there for keeping the arms and powder. He states that the corps should consist of no more than 60 men at first, as there would not be sufficient arms for any more. Lord Carlisle intended to cut his stable expenses as much as possible “for these are not times to spend much money on time upon mere amusements”. [Letter MFP/4/1/14, dated 12 May 1798 and letter MFP/4/1/15, dated 26 May 1798]

Some years later in 1806, Giles Earle of Beninbrough Hall took a very serious view of the political situation. In a letter to Joseph Munby he wrote that he considered England to be on the eve of annihilation and that “nothing can redeem us from insignificance among the nations of Europe, but an immediate peace on Bonaparte’s [Napoleon Bonaparte] terms, which however humiliating we cannot reject.” [Letter MFP/4/2/10, dated 3 January 1806]

Estate Management
Despite the comments on matters of more general interest, the letters of Lord Carlisle are devoted mainly to the management of the Castle Howard estate. The Reverend John Forth succeeded as agent on the death of his father in 1788 and received detailed advice from Francis Greggs on the investigation of poaching, the management of the servants, and sending game to Lord Carlisle in London. [Letter MFP/4/1/4, dated 29 December 1788]

Social Life
The family appears to have had a very wide circle of friends and acquaintances in York and social visits are a recurrent theme, together with news of births, deaths, marriages, and sickness. Special events, balls, and concerts are referred to, particularly by Joseph Munby, junior. In 1823, he wrote to Jane Munby, making arrangements for her visit to the Musical Festival in York and telling her that the balloon was to ascend from Toft Green the following Monday. [Letter MFP/5/10/2, dated 16 September 1823]

In April of the following year, he wrote that York was very gay during the Assizes and described some costumes worn at the fancy dress ball [Letter MFP/5/10/3, dated 8 April 1824], and in the December, Jane Munby and Margaret Munby were excited to be going to the Mansion House Ball. Jane’s comment that she had been unable to go to “Der Freischutz” and that she hadn’t been to the theatre once, suggest that this was most unusual. [Letter MFP/5/11/5, dated 19 April 1825] In 1863, Joseph Munby and his wife gave a most successful party at “Clifton Holme”. Their daughter, Carrie [Caroline Munby], described it to her brother Frederick. It was attended by 120 guests including the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. There had been dancing in the dining room, chess and cards in the breakfast room, tea and refreshments in the library, and a splendid supper in the corridor [Letter MFP/5/13/3, dated 30 Janury 1863

Education
As most of the children of the family went away to school, many of the letters refer to their education. In 1779, John Forth then aged 15, wrote to his father, William Forth telling him of his progress in reading Ovid and that he had been given a Greek grammar. Five years later he sent him a most detailed account of the examination system at Cambridge: the preliminary disputations in ungrammatical Latin, subjects of the final examination and the hours they were required to attend. [Letter MFP/5/1/2, dated 15 February 1779, and letter MFP/5/1/3, dated 23 October 1784]

Joseph Munby, junior, went to the Reverend T Irvin’s school at Scarborough and there are several letters to and from his mother while he was there. Some refer to the progress he was making in his studies, as well as his leisure activities and interests in which he took part. [Letters MFP/5/7/7 - MFP/5/7/14, dated 1816-1818].

Some years later in a letter to his sister Jane Munby, Joseph wrote that he wished his brothers John Munby and Giles Munby to go to the same school because he had benefited so much from being there [Letter MFP/5/10/8, dated 13 August 1825]. The three girls, Jane Munby, Margaret Munby and Lucy Munby went to the Manor School in York, although the terms were 23/- per week besides expenses which, according to Mr Pearson, one of their trustees, was more than their incomes allowed. [Letter MFP/5/8/9] Their grandmother, Mrs Pontey obviously thought the arrangement was not altogether satisfactory. She twice suggested that Lucy should not spend so much time at school and should stay with her for a quarter sometime, otherwise her health would suffer by such long confinement.

The most decided opinions on education were expressed by John Pearson to his half-sister, Mrs Jane Munby, when asked his advice on a suitable school for Joseph. He replied that schools were more expensive than in the north, but as his boys all went to the same school he could give little advice. The terms were comparatively low at £60 pa. One son, aged 16 moved to an academy where he paid £200 pa. Two years later he wrote that to send Joseph to Cambridge would defeat all her plans for his future introduction to business. He would learn little unless accompanied by a private tutor and it would be miraculous if he were not corrupted by the “profligate company”. He strongly recommended that he should go to an academy and then have a private tutor to widen his knowledge. [Letter MFP/5/5/4, dated 18 September 1816]

Comprising records of accounts, expenses, and inventories of household fixures and fittings. Includes a large series of housekeeping account books and household inventories of John Forth and Elizabeth Forth (1791-1822), loose bills and receipts from the Woodhouse and Forth families (1778-1818), and pocket diaries of Joseph Munby (1822-1825) which include references to his activities and accounts.

Comprising household account books in the handwriting of John Forth and Elizabeth Forth, inventories of their furniture and household items, and extracts made from these books by AJ Munby in the later 19th century.

Inventories of the furnishings and contents of Reverend John Forth and Mrs Elizabeth Forth at Slingsby and Ganthorpe, taken in 1791 and 1806. Each inventory has been written at one end of the volume. Later notes have been made at the start of both inventories by FJM [Frederick Joseph Munby] in the mid 19th century.

Reverend John Forth married Elizabeth Woodhouse of 3 Blake Street, at St Helens Church on the 23 June 1791. They lived at Slingsby for 3 years before removing to Ganthorpe.

Detail from the inventory:
PART 1

At the front of the book is written: “An Inventory of the Linen, Plate, China, Glass, Delf, and Pottery Ware, Household Goods and Sundry Fixtures belonging to The Revd. Mr Forth and Mrs Forth at Slingsby Taken the Third Day of December 1791”. An index of the contents follows. Additions were made at various times up to 1806. A note (following the Index and dated 24th May 1797) includes:-

“Towels & Dusters &c. in the kitchen use all worn out, which were got when Mr & Mrs Forth begun housekeeping & they have got lately 6 long Roller Towels & 8 Dusters of the same sort of Stuff, the gift of Mrs Woodhouse which she got Spun & Wove”.

Items in the LINEN list include sheets and pillow slips “Marked E.W. the Gift of Mrs Woodhouse”; Cleveland cloth sheets and pillow slips for the best garret; Knaresborough cloth items for the servants; 1 large white Manchester quilting counterpain.

SILVER PLATE.
Mostly gifts, (wedding?) with names of donors. Some purchased, e.g. from Messrs Hampstone and Prince. The 1797 additions include marked items from the Woodhouse family; many gold mourning rings with names; some ivory fans, etc.

PLATED ARTICLES.
Including a plated cross, candlesticks and a case for wax candles. Names of donors.

JAPANNED ARTICLES.
Candle snuffers, coffee urn, types of trays.

CHINA.
Many items, some gifts with names. Includes ‘Nankeen basons’, blue and white china pickle or butter cups with handles

GLASS.
Includes, “1 Old Fashioned Cut Glass Bottle with Variagated Figures and a Screw Top the Gift of Mrs Wright”.

DELF.
Many items of Queen’s Ware and 1 Common Mustard Pot. …

POTTERY & EARTHEN WARE.
Includes “3 Pots for Pickled Meat the Gift of Mrs Woodhouse”.

HOUSEHOLD GOODS.
These are listed under the rooms etc. in which they are kept. These rooms, including the ‘Passage between the Hall & Kitchen’ provide clues to the size and layout of the building.

DRAWING ROOM.
Contained “2 Mahogany Card Tables, 1 -do- Pembroke Table and 2 -do- Octagon Tables”. There was also “1 Harth Brush the gift of Mrs Taylor Aunt to Mrs Forth”.

PARLOUR.
Here were 2 mahogany Elbow Chairs, (a pencil note reads, “the same as those in the drawing room”) and 4 Common Chairs; a “Polished Steel Fender with a Set of Fire Irons”; a “Handsome Mahogany Work Trunk”; an inlaid Cribbage Board and a Backgammon Table; “1 Pair of Stript Calico, Bound without Fringe & unlined, 1 Pair of Window Curtains -Do- without Fringe & unlined”.

BEST LODGING ROOM.
“1 Mahogany Bedstead with Full Hung White Dimity Furniture Lined with Calico and Fringed”; inlaid mahogany items.

DRESSING CLOSET.
A chest of drawers the gift of Mrs Woodhouse and a small mahogany dressing table.

SECOND BEST LODGING ROOM.
A mahogany half chest of drawers, a mahogany square swing glass, one drawer and 2 bass bottomed stained chairs

BACK LODGING ROOM.
A “Mahogany Camp Bed Stead with Dark Coloured Washing Furniture Lin’d with Calico”; “4 Mahogany Chairs Stuffed at the bottoms, unlin’d Covers the same as the Bed”; 2 Scotch Carpets.

BEST GARRET.
A camp bed stead with dark blue China furniture; a window curtain, the same as the bed in the Back Lodging Room; a large oak chest the gift of Mrs Woodhouse.

MAIDS GARRET.
A bedstead with common dark blue China furniture, a feather bed, table and chair etc.

MANSERVANTS ROOM.
A bedstead with common dark green China furniture, table, chair, “2 Pewter Chambers to each Room”.

BUTLERS PANTRY.
Included were “4 Painted Wood Spitting Boxes and Tobacco Box China Tobacco Stand with a Brass bottom”.

DAIRY.
Contained butter prints (gifts from Mrs Barber), a filtering jar and a “Large Tub to Salt Meat in lined with Lead”.

FORE KITCHEN.
A “Mahogany Coffee Mill with a Drawer the Gift of Mrs Wright”, a tin ‘chocolette’ pot with a mill, a brass mortar with an iron ‘pestal’ and a pair of steelyards and weights.

BACK KITCHEN.
Had a “Wood Horse to Brush Clothes on”, an iron salamander and a chicken coop.

SUNDRIES.
Consisted of two mail trunks and a small wood trunk – two were gifts.

FIXTURES.
Some large and others small, including a “Moveable Closet on the first Landing of the Back Stairs” and “28 Gilt Screws belonging to the Window Curtains”.

CATALOGUE OF BOOKS.
Subdivided:-

GREEK. Lexicon, Demosthenes, Greek Grammar, Greek Testament, etc.

LATIN. Virgil, Ovid, ‘Ciceronis Orationes’, Latin Prayer Books, Latin Testament, Erasmus, etc.

FRENCH. Grammar, Exercises, Moliere Plays, 8Vols., ‘Oeuvres de Voltaire’, Dictionary, etc.

MATHEMATICAL, PHILOSOPHICAL, MORAL, HISTORICAL &c ENGLISH BOOKS.
‘Barrows Geometric Lectures’, Astronomy, ‘Watts Logic’, ‘Euclids Elements’, ‘Chymistry’.
Bibles, Sacred Exercises, Miscellaneous Tracts, ‘Burns Ecclesiastical Laws’, ‘Burns Justice’.
‘Blackstones Commentaries’, ‘Chesterfields Letters’, ‘Swifts Miscellanies’, Roman Senate, English History, American History, ‘Guthries Geographical Grammar’, ‘Gazateer’, ‘Rhetorick’.
Following the original list is a list headed, ‘Books late Mrs Woodhouse’ and then ‘An Account of Books belonging to the late Mr Thomas Forth’.

STABLES.
“New Drab Pillion Seat and Cloth the Gift of Mrs Woodhouse”, “New Side Saddle, Dark Blue Cloth with a Buff border round and a Spring Stirrup with a Shoe of Blue Morrocco”, other saddles, girths, bridles, etc., collars, oil tin and oil brush, “Curry Combs and Brushes”, shovel, ”Corn Bing” and corn scuttles, “Ladder at the Slack”.

PART 2

A later inventory is written at the back of the book. “An Inventory of Household Furniture, Plate, Linen, China, Glass &c. belonging to the Revd. Mr Forth at Ganthorpe, taken June 10th 1806”.
“Mem. Caroline Eleanor Forth, the daughter of Mr Forth, was born at Ganthorpe on 2nd September 1806. She was married to Joseph Munby of York on 1 March 1827 from 3 Blake Street, at the Church of St Helen, Stonegate.”

Items of Household Furniture are listed first under the rooms and then by the type of articles.

MEN’S GARRET.
Beds and linen, walnut drawers, deal tables, looking glasses.

MAID’S GARRET.
Beds and linen, Drawers, deal dressing table, looking glass in walnut frame.

OTHER GARRETS.
“A (once) bright polished Kitchen Iron range belonging to the late Mrs Woodhouse’s House at York”, lead fire hearth, child’s carriage and a wooden horse, “An old Side Saddle with a broken Crutch and an old Pilion seat (late Mr Thos. Forth’s)”, various trunks.

DRAWING ROOM.
Inlaid mahogany tables, mahogany chairs, sofas and footstool. Glass faced fire screens in gilt frames, Wilton carpets and Dimity window blinds. “A whole Length Portrait of G. Woodhouse, Son to the late Mr Alderman Woodhouse (at 5½ years old) in a Gilt Frame”, portrait of J.W. Forth 6½ years old, taken by Mr Jackson.

BEST LODGING ROOM.
“A four posted Bedstead with Mahogany fluted Poles, & white Dimity Furniture”, a feather bed with linen, etc., various items of mahogany furniture, Wilton carpets, “Lent Mrs Williamson an easy Chair belonging this Room covered with green Stuff”. Other mahogany furniture and “Mr Forth’s (Coat of Arms) in a gilt frame”, in an adjoining dressing room.

CHINTS ROOM and CAMP ROOM.
A four posted bed in the former and a variety of items, mainly mahogany, in both.

MR and MRS FORTH’S LODGING ROOM and OLD NURSERY.
Another four posted bed and items of mahogany furniture, some listed as, (Mrs W.). In the Nursery, “A Patent Shower-Bath in the Closet from London cost £2.14s.8d” and “A Handsome Side Saddle (with spring Stirrup) of blue Morocco Leather and a blue Saddle Cloth edged with Buff”

DINING ROOM.
Items of furniture, mostly mahogany, a number of pictures listed as, “All belonging the late Mrs Woodhouse” and a small silver medal of King George the 2nd.

PARLOUR.

Mahogany furniture, a barometer, a number of engravings including the Prince of Wales and the Earl of Carlisle and, as in many other rooms, a Scotch carpet.

OFFICE.
Some mahogany furniture and “An half chist of old inlaid Wallnuttree Drawers”. a telescope and a “Gentleman’s Travelling writing Box”. A number of pictures of the family of Mrs Woodhouse, including William Williamson, late Vicar of York Minster.

HALL.
An eight day clock and a patent glass lamp for a wall. A patent water closet purchased for £10.10s.0d. Maps of the County of York and of the Ainsty. Most items are listed (Mrs W.).

KITCHENS and DAIRY.
Bellows, a firesconce lined with tin and roasting spits. Tea and coffee boilers and “A very large Fish Kettle Copper”. Pairs of steelyards, scales and weights. “A plate Cratch”, four milking pails and seven washing tubs. Three “Lead Milch Bowls” and a barrel churn.

LINEN.
A long list of items for bedrooms, dining room and kitchen. The majority appear to have belonged to, or be gifts from, Mrs Woodhouse.

CHINA CLOSET
Long list of items including, “13 Red and white Cups and 11 saucers and an old saucer to match”. `Some items are described as old fashioned and many are listed as belonging to the late Mrs Woodhouse, or to the late Mr Thomas Woodhouse.

WATCHES, RINGS AND TRINKETS.
Watches with number and maker’s name, e.g. “Mr Forth’s Gold Watch Maker’s Name Hampston Prince & Cattles York No. 4362”. Rings – “A handsome Ring with the late Mr Alderman Woodhouse’s Hair set round with Diamond Sparks, (cost 11 Guineas)”. “A Garnet Hoop Ring (Mrs W.)”

SILVER PLATE
Tableware, many items listed as gifts, e.g. “ A large Silver Sauce Boat marked E.W. which belonged to Mrs Forth’s Mother, the Gift of Mrs Williamson Widow of Mrs Forth’s Uncle”.
An additional list is headed, “May 23rd 1797. An Account of Silver Plate belonging to the late Mrs Woodhouse” and includes a cross with a lamp in the bottom, an inkstand and a drinking horn for the use of servants in the kitchen

JAPANNED ARTICLES.
Includes trays, snuffers, “4 Quadrille Baskets”, and “3 large Mahogany Waiting Waiters”.

GLASS.
Includes “4 large old fashioned Glasses”, two glass baskets, eight jelly glasses and “5 odd ones”.

KNIVES & FORKS
Includes 6 “new Buck-hafted Knives and Forks for the Kitchen and a Bread Knife Do. cost 7s.10d”

[Extracts provided by a volunteer.]

Includes notes on staff wages and conditions. Includes notes on arrangements with Mr Tomlinson for the sale of a pianoforte.

Extracts:
Page 2a 6th Jan.

Paid 7s 0d for entering the Association for Prosecution of Felons & Cheats etc.

Page 6a 31st Jan.

Paid £1.1.0d for 12 lessons of French for Frederick in holidays.

Page 7a 3rd Feb.

Paid £6.16.11d for 20 drawing lessons and books and paints for Caroline and Frederick

Page 7a 5th Feb.

Purchases for Frederick, including a penknife (2/-) and £1.10.0d for school pocket money.

Page 8a 15th Feb.

Paid £1.8.6d to coachman and guard for Frederick to Southwell.

Page 10b 23rd March

“Sent to London in a Letter to Jane Darling – Three Pounds for to pay her Expences to York for her to be my Upper Maid.” “ Sent Jane Mitchell to London to pay her expences down upon the Top of the Coach to York.”

Page 11a 27th March

“Paid Mrs Howard this Quarters Board for Miss Forth’s Education … £31.15.0d”.

Page12b 3rd April

Jane Mitchell (not the correct name?) arrived from London, to be Upper Servant.

Page 14b 12th April

“Engaged Sarah Webster of Tadcaster to be an Assistant to Jane Mitchell as House Maid … to learn the House Work … to do the Worst Work … “

Page 18b 12th May

Discharge of three “uncivil” servants. “The Man Servant is the rudest Foot Man I ever had”.

Page 19b 19th May
“Paid Mrs Howard on account of Caroline’s Board for this Quarter Ten Pound”. On 23rd, May “Do Advanced to Mrs Howard other £15.5.0”

Page 20a 22nd May
“Paid off Ann Bell my New Cook as she did not suit” £1 0. 8½d

Page 21b 29th May
“… received a Draft on the Malton Bank from Mr Turner for £125.10.0.- Interest Due from the Earl of Carlisle to me.”

Page 22a 30th May
“Paid Messrs Barber & Whitwell for 6 Silver Table Forks & 2 Do. Butter Ladles – Second hand Marked with I.E.F. £5.10.0.” See note on Page 22b

Page 23b 4th June
Conditions of employment of new cook and kitchen maid. She “… is to have no Perquisites whatever & to give nothing away – nor to be allowed to sell Drippings – nor anything else.”

Page 24a 5th June
A stamp for a receipt, 1/-. On the 10th June, gave 1/- at the Sacrament on Whit Sunday.

Page 30b 6th Aug.
“Frederick set off for School in the Lord Nelson Coach for Doncaster & he will be met there by the Master Handyears of Corkhill near there & go with them to their Mansion & sleep there & set off with them in the Morning for Southwell where they will arrive that Evening.”

Page 32b 13th Aug.
“… Mrs Howard – a Sale of her Furniture commenced. She had been 8 years in York and her Establishment for Young Ladies is now given up. Caroline was with her One Year and liked her very much”.

Page 41b 8th Nov.
“The Earl of Carlisle sent by the Kirby Carrier a Brace of Hares with Lord C Compts. tied to them on Parchment. I sent them to Frederick to Southwell that Evening by the Coach.”

Page 42b 26th Nov.
“Caroline & Frederick is to give to the New Branch of the Bible Society 1d. per week Quarterly which is, for both, 2s.2d. per Quarter.”

Page 53b 22nd Jan. 1822
Magic Lantern for Frederick. £1.4.0d

Page 55b 6th Feb. 1822
Took Children to call on Countess of Carlisle and Lady Cawdor at Castle Howard

Page 56b 12th Feb. 1822
Bank paid to Mrs Parish of Kensington a forfeiture of one quarter’s board for Caroline’s being prevented from going to her school because of ill health. £39.7.6d

Page 61b 4th April 1822
Agreed to take reduced rent for farm “until times are better”. £315 down to £300.

Page 70b 24th April 1822
James Potter, a 14 years old boy, taken as footman. Conditions and pay.

Page 75b 19th May 1822
Death of Mr Timm, husband of Mrs Forth’s cousin.

Page 79b 20th June 1822
“Frederick went with Master Wm. Whytehead & his Aunt Miss Bowman to Flaxton, to Mr Bowman’s for a few days. (Note: Caroline baptised by Rev. John Bowman).

[Extracts provided by a volunteer.]

20 pages taken from several volumes of accounts.

Extracts:
12th July 1795

Thos. Forth married Mrs(?) Britton at Bulmer Church. “I was at York on account of my Aunt being Ill & Mr Forth dined at Mr Able’s that day.”

11th Sept. 1796.
Dear Mary taken ill at York and died 13th Sept. She would have been three years old on next day.

24th March 1797
Aunt Woodhouse died at Blake Street, York, aged 57; buried at Osbaldwick; other family members there also.

31st March 1797
Mrs Wright, mother of Aunt Woodhouse died, “upwards of ninety years of age.”

4th June 1797.
John Woodhouse Forth born, “Near five o’Clock in the morning.”

3rd April 1798
“Poor Mrs Forth, Mr Forth’s Mother in Law Died, aged 50”. Buried Terrington, near her husband.

13th/14th June 1798
Boy, Frederick, born to Mrs Forth. He died on 23rd August following.

16th Oct. 1800
Miss Elizabeth Forth married to Mr Boyes of Slingsby, by Mr Forth.

3rd Sept. 1801
“Emma Forth went to Board & Lodge with Mr & Mrs Boyes at Slingsby. She is to pay them Twelve guineas p. year …”

2nd Sept. 1802
“Mr forth being very ill in Rheumatic Fever Mrs F. sent for Dr. Hunter & Dr. Lawson from York & gave them £10.10.0d”

26th Sept. 1802
Mrs Thomas Forth died. Buried at Hovingham.

10th Dec. 1814
George Boyes born

6th April 1815
Mr Boyes, father of George, died.

[Extracts provided by a volunteer.]

Volume with '1 March 1845' written on the front. Principally contains extracts from 'great grandmother’s account book', 1794-1833, with details of family background, written in handwriting of AJ Munby (or possibly FJ Munby], probably in the 1880s. The whole is almost a copy of the extracts copied into MFP/1/1/3.

Also contains a list of servants employed, with their wages, between 1845 and 1849, written on the final page of the volume in a different handwriting to the extracts.

Contains extracts from account books, 1794-1833, which largely replicate those in MFP/1/1/3, with additional annotations and details of arms of related families. Probably written by AJ Munby or FJ Munby.

Inventory of items left in the care of Francis Norton, his servant, created in 1809. Contains additions from 1812, and a further note from 1813

Account Book of Rev John Forth commencing with 'Expenses in Furnishing my House', 1791-1792.

Also contains extracts of matters of family interest copied from 'great grandmother's account books' (i.e. Elizabeth Forth's) 1794-1833 by AJ Munby or FJ Munby in the later 19th century.

Detail from account book:
PART 1. ACCOUNTS. 1791
“Expences in furnishing my House”.
The first page lists payments to Mr Davies the Cabinet-maker, £6.6s.; Mr Surr, the glass man; Mr Clark, the silversmith; Mr Dalton, the brazier and Mr Nicholson, the painter, 15/-.

Casual Disbursements.
A guinea paid to Lord Carlisle’s servant; £1.2s.6d paid for thatching the stables,; a guinea to the Institution for the relief of Clergymen’s Widows.

1792. Payment of £10.15s.8d to Mr Taylor “for my Brother Mark’s Board & Sundry other Bills”. Paid £30 – “My Brother Mark’s Passage to St Vincent & Expences in going to Liverpool”.

Expences in Cloaths.
£1.11s.11d paid to Mr Wilkinson, the Hatter; £1.1s.2d paid to Mr Jones for “Shoes for my Brother Mark”; 18/- for one pair of breeches.

Servants’ Wages.
Honor Much, one year’s wages - £7; “Mary Jefferson’s Wages to Martinmas”, £1.15s.0d.

Taxes
Half a year’s taxes due 5th October, £3.7s.7d; “high Way Assess. 14s.1d; “1 year’s Tithe Rent due L. Day £1.5s.0d”

Stock
Thos. Nightingale for a Cow, £8; David Ellerby for a pig, £1.1s.0d

Housekeeping Account.
Many payments for tea, cheese, meat, rye, wheat, candles, malt, ale and sundries. £40.16s.0d. for wines and £2.15s.0d. for a cask of porter.

Account with Horses
Sold two Bay horses, one for £45 and the other for £60. Bought a Chestnut horse for £40.

PART 2
“EXTRACTS FROM ELIZABETH FORTH’S ACCOUNT BOOKS.”
The first part of this section gives genealogical information on the Forth, Woodhouse and Munby
families including references to one who perished in the Black Hole of Calcutta, a surgeon who was lost at sea while on board the ‘Dispatch’ sailing to America and a marriage to Elizabeth Wright, of the Heworth family involved in the Gunpowder Plot. Great-grandfather, John Forth, became agent for Lord Carlisle, his older brother Mark not being satisfactory. Further notes and dates of births, marriages and deaths occur throughout this section.

An extract from the account book, dated 3rd July, 1794, refers to the move from Slingsby to Ganthorpe. “I paid all the servants every thing that was owing to them before we left Slingsby. I sent my Aunt 1 guinea for my bonnet, which she would not take”. A sum of money was laid out, “in paying for my shoes, clogs etc.”

Some prices are quoted for 1793:
1lb Milk Chocolate 5. 0.
1lb Sago 2. 0.
2 Knots of Tapes 1. 0.
½ Treacle 2.
2lbs Bobea Tea 12. 0.

6th Sept. 1800.

Six shillings paid for a pound of Bobea Tea and two shillings for a pound of raisins. On the same day, 1s. 4d. was paid to Molly for two days work.

17th Sept. 1816.
£15 paid for the expenses of 8 year old Frederick’s journey to Southwell School, in the care of Rev. Frere. 18th Dec. “ Rev. Mr Frere returned from Southwell with Frederick in good health. Thank God.”.

The Stock Accounts in 1816 included coach and hack horses, a blood mare in foal and another not in foal. In addition were cows, calves, ewes and pigs.

Wages, 1816.
Ann Race Housekeeper - 12 guineas per annum, “tea and sugar found”.
Miss Kimbers, Governess - £20
John Spofforth hired for another year at the rate of 24 guineas with no other considerations except for a hat and a pair of boots. “His Livery Coat & waistcoat to be left when he leaves me”.
John Fountain hired for another year at 10 guineas “& to be washed in the house”.

2nd Nov. 1818.
“Mr Kimber came to pack my Glass etc. & to assist the men … to go to York”

3rd Nov. 1818.
“The first waggon went this day from Ganthorpe to York & there were 10 waggon loads of all the Goods, wine etc.”

10th Aug. 1820.
“Caroline and Frederick went in a chaise to Castle Howard & saw Lord & Lady Carlisle who were very polite to them … Lady Carlisle sent her love to me.”

27th Jan. 1821.
“Paid for the Lord Nelson Coach at the Black Swan office, Coney St. for Fredk. from York to Doncaster … 16/-.”

12th April 1821.
John Knowles engaged as Footman, “to receive 10gs. per annum & to find his own washing & needling for that sum & to have 1 suit of Livery for Dress Cloathes, to consist of Coat, Waistcoat & Breeches & one suit of undress Cloathes. He is to have a hat & a pair of Gaiters & if he leaves me at the end of the 1st year he is to leave the best Livery”.

“Engaged Sarah Webster of Tadcaster to be an assistant as housemaid & to do all the worst work of the house, such as scouring floors & making fires. Her wages are £5 per ann. Tea & sugar found.”
Also employment of Jane Darling and Jane Mitchell.

Three servants dismissed for being uncivil. “The manservant is the rudest Footman I ever had & I have discharged him from ever calling here any more.”

16th Sept. 1821
Went with Caroline to Harrogate for a week.
Chaise to and from Harrogate £2 . 14 . 0d
Drivers 8 . 0d
Other expenses £3 . 8 . 0d

5th Oct. 1821
Lump Sugar 4s 7d
? Tea 3s 3d
Leg of lamb 2s 9d

3rd Nov. 1821
Lord Carlisle sent a brace of hares with his complements tied to them on a parchment.

24th Dec. 1821
“Frederick & Master Whytehead both let off 3d of gunpowder into their faces & eyes. Their faces & lips were much scorched. … Oil & then spirits of turpentine … applied with a feather.” See Acc.54.9 Page 46b.

6th Feb. 1822
Dined with Mr & Mrs Bealby on the Mount. Went in a sedan chair. 4s 0d.

14th Feb. 1822
The Dowager Lady Cawdor, the eldest daughter of the Earl of Carlisle, called on me.

5th Mar. 1822
Paid Mr Cospaigne for 10 lessons given to Frederick. “He said it was 10/6d.”

21st Mar. 1822
“Went to the Lady Mayoress Ball at the Mansion House. Hairdressing for the Ball 2s 0d.

4th April 1822
Agreed to take reduced rent from Mrs Sowerby for a farm as times were bad for farmers.

4th May 1822
Miss Worsley of Hovingham was in York “… & gave me a call.)

4th Sept. 1823
At Selby, saw the steam packet, called the ‘Favourite’, off for Hull.

13th Sept. 1823
“Received from the Lord Mayor of York a gold mourning ring, in remem. Of his brother Rev. Wm. Smith, Rector of Brandsby.”

5th Feb. 1824
“The Countess of Carlisle was buried in York Minster this day & is to be removed to the Mausoleum at Castle Howard on the death of the present earl.”

4th Mar. 124
Exchanged some silverware for “My gold eye glasses and F’s microscope.”

4th Sept. 1825
Earl of Carlisle died and succeeded by Lord Morpeth, who “… did me great honour by sending me a scarf, gloves & hood for his father.” Paid £9. 8. 0d for 2 black silk gowns “… for C. and me to wear for good dear Lord Carlisle and a black scarf for me.”

27th Dec. 1825
“F. took the scarlet fever & was very ill in it but got well very soon”.

17th Apr. 1826
Appealed at the Guild Hall “against the City New Act … it is an unjust Act”. Allowed reduction in rating from £80 to £75.

27th Aug. 1826
Bought gun (6guineas) for Frederick although not fond of his having a gun.

25th Jan. 1827
“Sophia Jefferson came to assist in cleaning etc. at 6d a day.”

1st Mar. 1827
Caroline Eleanor married Joseph Giles Munby

14th May 1827
Frederick is ill and at home for his 19th birthday.

23rd May 1827
Bought saddle, sheet and other items for Frederick’s horse from Mr Ware of Stonegate, £11.17.8d.

7th Aug. 1828
“Caroline … dined here. C. walked here and back to Clifton.”

19th Aug. 1828
Caroline’s first child, Arthur Joseph, was born at Clifton. “He was baptized and Christened on 2nd Sept.”

2nd Sept. 1828
“Gave Mrs Munby’s Nurse on the Christening day 21/- & for bringing the baby to see his grandmother 2/6.”
7th May 1830
Engaged Robert Watson as Footman at £14 p.a. Details of arrangements for clothing etc.
21st Dec. 1831
“Mrs Munby was confined of a little girl, still born, buried in Marygate Ch. yard.”
19th Mar. 1832
Ed. Chapman engaged as Footman at £30 p.a.

6th Apr. 1833.
Frederick Woodhouse Forth died aged 24, buried at Terrington. His mother died on 2nd Feb. 1837, buried at Terrington beside her husband and eldest son, John Woodhouse Forth, died aged 7 years.

[Extracts provided by a volunteer.]

Includes housekeeping accounts, 1791-93, in the reverse of the volume, possibly in Mrs Elizabeth Forth's handwriting.

Detail from account book:
Begins with a list of types of glasses in 1791 followed by a few payments for household items.

Receipts for 1792 include a few sums of interest; £2 – Half a year’s Augmentation of Queen Anne’s Bounty, due Lady Day; “Received of Thos. Wilson for six Scotch Oxen at £7.3.6 each – £43.1.0d”.

Payments are far more numerous:
Many were for clothes and material, including 50/- for 4yds of silk.

27th July

“Paid Richd. Jones a Bill on my Brother Mark’s Account - £1.1.6d.”

7th Sept.

“Paid Peggy her wages from May Day - £1.11.6d”

20th Sept.

Year’s Subscription to Institute for Relief of Clergymen’s Widows - £1.1.0d

5th Oct.

“Paid Mrs Rose for my share of the Pipe of Wine - £8. 9.7d”.

17th Dec.

“Paid my Brother Thomas for 2 ¾ Chaldrons of Coals £2 .7.0d”.

1793 – RECEIPTS:
9th Jan

“Received of my Brother Wm. Forth Money for w’ch I am accountable £10.0.0d”

30th Dec.
Received £20 for 2 Scotch oxen and £2 for a calf.

PAYMENTS:
16th May
“Paid John a year’s wages … £8.8.0d”

12th June

Chair bought at Miss Fairfax’s sale. £1.1.0d. (See Acc.54.6 Folio 31b)
72 gallons of beer - £1.6.3d.

15th Oct.
Brother Mark’s board - £20.

19th Oct

“Paid John Jefferson for two pigs at 11s.6d. each”

21st Oct.
“Paid Mr Mills for a pair of Boots for John - £1. 2.0.”

At the back of the book is a section, “Sundry Disbursments on Account of House-keeping”
There are varied entries for items such as quilting, thread, medicines, lavender, combs, “black lead for the stove” and occasional payment of wages but the majority of payments are for food. There is a separate “Mr Kendall’s Account for Butcher’s Meat”, one for Corn and another for Sundries.``

[Extracts provided by a volunteer.]

Includes notes of general and family interest. Most payments are for food and there are references to employment of servants and wages.

Extracts:
21st Dec. 1793:
“A little Boy of Walches Wife’s Swept our Kitchen Chimney, the Parlour, the Nursery, & the best Lodging room. Mr F. was at York that day & I did not pay the Boy but thought it better to pay his Mistress when she call’d. I gave him 2d for himself.”

December 1792,

Poor Man 2d”, “to sundry Boys 1s 7d” ,

January 1793,

“Gave the Children on New Years day 1s 9½d”, “Given to Natty Forth 1s 0d”.

25th Feb.,1793

“Lost at Cards 1s 0d.”
“Poor Man 2d”. Another poor man received 1d on the 16th Oct.

31st Oct. 1793

“Paid Mrs Leathem for one Fourth share of an Irish Lottery Ticket Number 22,856 for the year 1793 £1.2.6d”

In the reverse of the account book:
Duties of underservants; recipes for lip salve, cough cures, ink, shoe blacking, various puddings, cakes, “Minch’d Pyes” [mince pies], and wines.
Prescription for preventing miscarriages (this is written in a different hand and dated 1804). Note: “Lady Carlisle gave the following Prescription to Mrs Forth, w’ch was sent to her Ladyship for that Purpose by Lady Morpeth as having been of great Service to the Duchess of Devonshire & many others in preventing Miscarriages”.
Corn & meat accounts

[Extracts provided by a volunteer.]

Includes notes on servants engaged, their conditions and wages.

Contents:

Folio 1: Casual Payments
Folio 50: The Butcher’s Account
Folio 65: The Corn Account
Folio 70: The Coal Account
Folio 75: Casual Remarks

Extracts:
Folio 9b 13th Mar. 1798.
“Ann Kirby left our service, she lived 4 years & a half with us, she came to be our dear Mary’s Wet Nurse”. Does this imply the birth of a daughter to the Forth’s? Hire and pay for Jane Miller as Upper Servant.

Folio 10b 17th Mar. 1798
Ann Potter as under Servant.

Folio 31b.

“Thomas Wales of Terrington Aged 10 years & a half, came to live with us, Mr Forth agreed with his Father to take him for 5 years if he behaves well, & to find him with all his cloaths, he came on the 18th of Nov. 1798. he is to have no wages all the five years but if he behaves in such a manner as to please Mr Forth, at the end of the five years he is, if he thinks proper to make him a Present of something but it is left to Mr Forth to give him what he thinks proper.” (See Acc. 54.6, Folio 28)

Folio 54. 1st June 1798.
“This Month’s Bill not settled, Mr Forth having sold Mr Masterman two Scotch oxen, the Price to be paid by this & the following Monthly Bills. The Price of the two oxen is twenty four Pounds, one ox to be taken away on Wednesday next, the other on the Wednesday following.”

[Extracts provided by a volunteer.]

Includes notes on servants engaged, their conditions and wages.

Contents:
Folio 1 Casual Payments
Folio 50 Butcher’s Account

Folio 65 Corn Account
Folio 70 Coal Account
Folio 75 Accounts about Cows
Folio 78 Ale & Beer Account
Folio 80 Stock Account
Folio 85 Casual Remarks
Folio 87 Yest Account

Extracts:
Folio 0b. Jan. 1799.
“Jane Thirk was engaged as under Servant on the 3rd of last Dec. & came here on the 6th of that Month. She returned Home on Saturday the 5th of Jan. being very ill. … She was too young & weak for our Place.”

Folio 1b. 10th Jan. 1799.

“All our Copper Pots & Pans were new Tinned …”

Folio 19a. 21st June 1799.
“Mr & Mrs Forth gave Emma Forth in Consequence of her having lost two Guineas out of her Pockets … £2.2.0d”

Folio 26b.

“From last Martinmas up to this Martinmas we have used either 6½ Stone of yellow Soap or 7
Stone & Two Dozen Pounds of Candles, One Dozen pounds of Stable Mould Candles, & about 7
Dozen of Kitchen Do.”

Folio 27b. 22nd Nov. 1799.
“(Martinmas) Tom has been one year with us up to this Date & we have found him with every thing he has in wear – We find he has Cost us since last Nov. 1798 to this Nov 1799, about £6.10.0d. All the Bills for his expences will be found in our accounts …”

Folio 31b. 23rd Dec.

Sold easy chair, previously bought at Miss Fairfax’s sale. £1.1.0d. (See Acc. 54.3. June 1793)

Folio 77b. (Folio 78 in Contents list)

Tapping ale barrels and barrels of porter

Folio 79b. (Folio 80 in Contents list)

Stock includes a black “crosst” mare, a bay mare. a grey “poney”, a brood mare, a colt foal rising
one year. Cows – one black and white, one red, one black and white heifer, two young heifers rising
two years and two rising one year, 14 Scotch heifers.

[Extracts provided by a volunteer.]

Includes notes on servants engaged, their conditions and wages. Also includes Mrs Forth's notes of their social engagements and family events.

Contents:

Folio 1 Expenses in House keeping..
Folio 45 Expenses of wearing apparel.
Folio 52 Butcher’s Account.
Folio 65 Corn Account.
Folio 70 Coal Account.
Folio 75 Account for cows.
Folio 78 Ale and Beer Account.
Folio 80 Stock Account
Folio 82 Casual Remarks.

Extracts:
Folio 1b.

“Dear little Johnney was Inoculated by Mr Teasdale who is in partnership with Mr Parker of Malton
on Sunday 26th of June 1800”
“Gave Mr Warwick’s Post Boy for driving us to Malton (2s 6d).

Folio 9b. April 2nd.
“We had the Parlour Kitchen & Back Kitchen Chimneys Swept when the Sweeps were at Castle
Howard (3/-). April 16th. The Smoak Jack & the Back Kitchen Jack were both taken to pieces, and
cleaned … the Smoak Jack had near two Quarts of oil put into it at the time”.
“Paid Richard for Turnpikes to Malton (1/3½d).

Folio 17b. 17th June 1800.
“Dear little Johnny was put into breeches - & Mrs Lilburn his God-mother gave him £1.1.0d. Mr Thos Forth, Do. 5/- & Mr Shaw 2/6d”

Folio 20b. 15th July 1800.
“John began to learn to Read with the Ganthorpe School Master, Mr Morley”. Paid Mr Morley for John’s Entrance Money, 2/6d.

Folio 23b. 25th Aug. 1800.
Bought material for gowns for presents to three women servants.

Folio 83a.

Grinding of corn – “We think all the above mentioned corn very honestly done & we paid a Shilling a Bushel instead of the Miller taking Montee/Mouter?”

[Extracts provided by a volunteer.]

Includes notes on servants engaged, their conditions and wages. Includes a note that Rev John Forth died, 7 May 1816, aged 52 years.

Contents:

Page 1 Housekeeping Account
Page 45 Butcher’s Account
Page 46 Candle Account
Page 47 Soap Account
Page 48 Grocery Account
Page 55 Corn Account
Page 60 Coal Account
Page 62 Ale & Beer Account
Page 65 Account about Cows
Page 70 Stock Account
Page 80 Casual Remarks
Page 82 Servants’ Wages

Extracts:
Page 5b.

Some family details.

Page 14b. 17th Sept.
“… 15 Pounds for the expenses of Frederick Woodhouses Journey to Southwell School. The Revd. Mr Freer was so very kind as to accompany him there & ? him safe to his journey’s end. the first time he went & the first time of his leaving Home he was 8 years old on the 14th of last May.” (Total expenses - £11.19.9d)

Page 16a. 13th Oct.

Paid 9d for a letter from Southwell. Another one on the 27th cost 10d.

Page 20b. 21st Dec.

Marriage of Mrs Boyes, half sister of Rev. J. Forth.

[Extracts provided by a volunteer.]

Pre-printed diaries containing notes and accounts by Joseph Munby.

Printed volume “Lady’s & Gentleman’s Annual Pocket Ledger with Various Articles of Useful Information”. Contains the cash accounts of Joseph Munby. Entries include details of engagements and letters received and written, with references to Caroline Forth.

Pre-printed diary for 1824. Includes the cash account and diary entries including proposal of, and acceptance of, marriage to Caroline Forth, 31 August and 24th September. Last entry is 'Weighed 10st. 11lb with boots on & without my hat'.

Includes cash account and diary entries, including details of letters received and written. Includes references to Caroline Forth. Include entry: “Began with Mr Atherley and paid him £52.10 by check.” 10th January.

Includes bills, receipts, and lists of accounts and expenses, principally relating to travel and journeys, education, and the purchasing of household and personal items.

“London Accounts, went April 20th 1778”.
Contains bills and accounts. Small account book of J(as) Woodhouse’s expenses (see two pages from end for his signature) incurred on journeys to London, Portsmouth, Bristol, Scarborough, Hull, Liverpool, and Scotland with addresses and details of comb and horn dealers, vessels at Liverpool.

Extract:
“Fryday 1st May 1778 We sett of for Portsmouth 10 o’clock night in Stage Coach (no Chaises to be had on the Road) the King & Queen past us on Saturday about 11 o’clock, upon the Devil’s punch Bowl.” Gives details of some armaments, ships and prizes at Portsmouth. Refers to a ship, Capt. Haughton, sailing from Liverpool to Senegal, “for Slaves, Teeth & wood”.

[Extracts provided by a volunteer.]

Bill for the hire of chaise and pair [horse and carriage] for a journey from Castle Howard to York and back, for £1 8s.

Expenses for a journey made to and from Doncaster to fetch Miss Caroline Forth, including three bills from inns visited en route.

File of 24 bills and receipts of Miss Elizabeth Woodhouse for personal items, such as clothing.

Four bills. One bill contains wishes for success in studies, and another is addressed to Castle Howard, Near Malton, Yorkshire.

The expenses relate to three journeys made by Miss Woodhouse to Bath with her aunt, Mrs Elizabeth Woodhouse, and include detail of mileage travelled, inns visited en route, and expenditure in Bath, including hairdressing and taking the waters at Bath Spa.

Also includes: information about 10 days spent in London on their return journey from Bath in 1787; a list of everything in the chaise with “My Aunt Mrs James Suttell”, 1790-1791.

Expenditure amounted to £117 9s 6d, spent on clothes and various household items.

Bill from Richard Joy and for the education of William Forth and Nathaniel Forth, half-brothers of Reverend John Forth.

Bills for items bought by Reverend John Forth, Miss Elizabeth Woodhouse, later Mrs Elizabeth Forth, and Mrs Woodhouse.

Total income amounted to £2868 16s 1d and expenditure to £1359 2s. 0d.

Contains documents principally relating to wills and the management of trusts and estates, and papers concerning rents and property.

Contains wills and copies of wills, accounts and statements of income, marriage bonds, and correspondence relating to the management of property, with some assisted papers. Many of these relate to the Castle Howard estate, with some also relating to property at Blake Street, York.

Will devising 6 houses called the Sailor’s Barracks in Palace Street, and another to Margaret his wife for life or her widowhood, remainder to his son Jos. Williamson and daughter Eleanor Woodhouse: another house to the heirs of Wm. his eldest son, and the house in which he lived in Shaws Lane, after the death of his wife, to the children of the late Lieut. Burdett.

His shop, utensils and stock to be kept by his wife in case his son-in-law Andrew Clark should follow the business, otherwise to be disposed of by his executors. To Mr Robt. Gladstone, his large book of songs, his book of minuets, airs and Scots tunes and his German flute. To the widow of his son Robt. £20 to care for his grandchildren.

To his grandson Thos. Burdett, his silver watch. To Mr Jas Allison, his brother-in-law, his “cane with the agot head” and Bishop Rose’s “View of all Religions”. To Mr Thos. Boote of Nottingham, £20 p.a. received from His Majesty’s compassionate list for the maintenance of the orphans of Lieut. Burdett.

To Andrew Clarke, his son-in-law, his clothing. To Eliz. Burdett, his granddaughter, £5. to buy her mourning. to Mr Wm Wait, sen. his bass violin.

[Summary and extracts provided by a volunteer.]

Letter which accompanied deeds for execution by him and his wife [not included].

Letter summery:
Thomson informs Forth of the death of Mrs Margaret Williamson, widow of Ralph Williamson, Coroner of Berwick, and requests him to send the deeds to Alderman Pattison, who would pay him £60 as agreed.

[Summary provided by a volunteer.]

Letter summary:
Royds agrees to rent the house in Blake Street for one year at £80 per annum and states what decoration would be necessary. Also includes an inventory of fittings at the property.

[Summary provided by a volunteer.]

Lease, Rev John Forth at Ganthorpe, clerk, to Jane, Ann, Elizabeth, and Frances Royds of York, spinsters. A messuage on north west side of Blake Street, lately in the tenure of Mrs Eliz Woodhouse, deceased and now of the lessees, together with the adjoining backhouse and yard, and all fixtures mentioned in schedule.
Term 6 years from 24 Dec last.
Rent. £80 p.a. and all parochial and parliamentary taxes. The lessees to pay all taxes levied since 24 Dec. 1797, and do all necessary repairs and maintenance except to the main walls, roof and main timbers. John Forth to have the right to inspect the premises twice yearly, and of re-entry if the rent was 20 days in arrears.
Signed and sealed by John Forth, J Royds and E Royds.

[Summary provided by a volunteer.]

Accounts showing legacies and costs.

Includes details of some legacies.

Estate includes:
By her marriage settlement (£2000)
By the will of Mrs Woodhouse (her real estate at Naburn)
By that of Mr Woodhouse (the interest on £5,000)
By Mr Forth’s will (the interest of £2,000)

Probate copy of the will bequeathing to Ann, his wife, his share in the houses in the Sailors’ Barracks and in Palace Street in Berwick upon Tweed.

Includes one additional handwritten copy.

Receipts for investments in 4% Annuities, Navy 5% Annuities and Consolidated 3% Annuities [government stocks]. Note dated July 1820 - 'This is the first time I have bought into the Funds on my own account since I had my money concerns. EF'.

Letter summaries:
Correspondence concerning interest due to Mrs Forth on the Castle Howard bonds and the proposed conversion of a mortgage on lands in Bulmer to a bond, with two draft letters from her reply.

[Summary provided by a volunteer.]

Arthur Joseph Munby was the last surviving trustee of the will of the late Mrs Elizabeth Forth, dated 6 November 1834 (she died 2 February 1837), reciting that Mrs Forth bequeathed her estate to trustees to pay the interest to her daughter Caroline Eleanor, and after her death to her children or their heirs.

1. Arthur Joseph Munby

2. John Forth Munby, died 27 Oct. 1872 aged 41. Will dated 21 Dec 1863, proved by Margaret Elizabeth Munby his wife and sole executrix.

3. George Frederick Woodhouse Munby, by an agreement of 18 Dec 1876, all sums due to him on the death of his mother over £1674.8s were to be paid to Arthur Joseph Munby and Frederick James Munby in satisfaction of his debt to them.

4. Frederick James Munby had agreed to sell his share to Joseph Munby, his father, but no assignment was made. Joseph Munby made his will, 7 Dec 1875 and died 21 Dec. 1875 .

5. Reverend Joseph Edwin Munby died intestate at Masham, 29 Sept. 1867, aged 26.

6. Caroline Elizabeth Munby.

7. Edward Charles Munby.

A partial distribution of £1000 had already been made to each of the above or their executors. A further £1615 each was now paid to A J Munby of 6 Fig Tree Court, Temple, London, barrister, Margaret Elizabeth Munby of York, widow, Caroline Elizabeth Munby of Harrogate, spinster, and E. C. Munby of Myton Grange, land agent, £1674, 8s to Rev G F W Munby of Turvey Rectory, Beds and £940 12s to A J Munby and F J Munby, executors of Jos Munby, by the direction of G F W Munby, executors of Jos Munby by the direction of G F W Munby. Pencil note: Executed by all parties, at Whixley, 27 May 1885.

Also printed balance sheet of income and expenditure under the will, 1837-1885.

[Summary provided by a volunteer.]

Balance due to the estate of late William Forth, £572.5.9¾.

Letter summary:
As Mr Forth was tenant of a farm at Coneysthorpe, the tenancy devolved upon him. He did not wish to submit him to a law suit, and desired only an amicable settlement.

[Summary provided by a volunteer.]

Bond of Thomas Forth of Bulmer, farmer and grazier, to George Stockton of Scarborough, Attorney at Law in £1000 to pay £600 to such persons as Frances Britton of Hovingham, widow, his intended wife, should direct. Signed and sealed by Thomas Forth.

Letter summary:
Rents received from the 6 houses, their condition (“old and only fit to accommodate the labouring poor”), estimated cost of repairs, and proposals to sell their share therein. Concerns property described in the will of Ralph Williamson.

[Summary provided by a volunteer.]

Letter concerning the arrangements for the repair of houses at Berwick-on-Tweed.

Letter concerning the valuation of a premises, worth £400. The letter states that the sum Mr Pattison offered was inadequate.

Letter concerning her tenancy of her aunt's apartment which devolved to the Burdett family on her aunt's death.

Comprising documents relating to the estate of Jane Pearson, later Jane Pontey.

Grant of Administration to Jane Pearson of York, widow of John Pearson, peruke maker. Includes seal of the Prerogative Court of York.

A fourth part of the securities of the late George Waters of Newcastle upon Tyne, gent, was assigned to Jane Pearson, 25 Oct 1775, by Jas Sherwin and Sarah his wife, in trust to raise £200 to be shared equally by Ann, now wife of William Steel, and Sarah Sherwin, their daughters. £53 3s 7½d had been paid, being the residue of the share in Jane Pearson’s hands. Signed, Sarah Sherwin.

Handwritten will, bequeathing: to her daughter, Mary Eastwood, her wearing apparel, 2 sets of best china and all her pictures in her house at Kirkheaton: to her son-in-law John Eastwood and his wife Mary, the remainder of £400 after paying the following:- £100 divided between her grand-daughters, Jane, Margaret and Lucy Munby. 20gns each to her grandsons John and Giles Munby.
20gns each to Chas, Jas. and Edwin, sons of John and Mary Eastwood: to her 3 granddaughters, all the furnitures in her house at Kirkheaton, including 2 feather beds, also her silver plate, rings and the linen then in use - lists were to be found in her bureau at Kirkheaton and at Mr J Sessions. Written in her own hand.

Comprises papers concerning wills, probate, and the administration of estates.

Typescript copy.

Bequeathing the advowson of Gilling East to the Master, Fellows and Scholars of Trinity College, Cambridge, with the Gilling Rectory House, ready furnished: also £6000 for extensions to Rectory, and the interest on the remainder to be paid half yearly to the incumbent. Legacies to his successors, servants (named), etc.
Appointment of Joseph Munby, Attorney at Law in York as his executor to whom he bequeathed £3000 and his wife’s portrait. Probate 7 Oct. 1812.

[Summary provided by a volunteer.]

Includes instructions for the distribution of the trust: £2153 19s 9d each to Joseph Munby, Jane Munby, Margaret Munby, John Munby, Giles Munby and Lucy Munby, her children.

Relates to the 13 years ending 1st January 1881.

Letter concerning an account of the amounts due under the will of Jane Munby, and the amounts due to the executors of 'Uncle Giles'.

Letter summary:
When he knew what sum his father's executors must find towards Mrs Jane Munby's trust he would give an opinion about his father's professional remuneration.

[Summary provided by a volunteer.]

Contains appointments to religious and legal offices, with some associated papers.

Position vacant by the death of John Fuller, clerk. Issued by John Fountayne, clerk, M.A. Dean and the Chapter of St Peter's. Exhibited at Visitation in 1751.

Exhibited at Malton, 1788 and at Visitations in 1809 and 1810.

Exhibited at Malton, 1788 and at Visitations in 1809 and 1810.

Annexed: copies of the oaths.

Exhibited 1809 and 1810.

Also includes a certificate of induction by Peter Blanshard, Minister of West Heslerton, 11 Jan. 1807. Exhibited 1809 and 1810.

Under the licence, John Forth was to provide a resident curate at a salary to be appointed by the Archbishop.

Pencilled footnote: He [the curate] received £66 10s p.a., leaving £333 p.a. for the Rector.

Three documents appointing Joseph Munby, a Commissioner to take Affidavits in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Durham, Northumberland, and Cumberland, York, Kingston upon Hull, and Newcastle upon Tyne, concerning processes in the Courts of Queen's Bench and Common Pleas and the Court of Exchequer respectively.

Awarded by the Law Society.

Three documents appointing Frederick James Munby a Commissioner to take Affidavits in Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Chester, York, Lichfield, and Kingston upon Hull, concerning processes in the Courts of Queen’s Bench, Common Pleas and the Court of Exchequer respectively.

18 Jan 1873
Articles of Partnership for one year. Joseph Munby of York, gentleman, and Frederick James Munby of Manchester, gentleman, as Attorneys at Law, Solicitors and Conveyancers at 3 Blake Street. The agreement was not to affect F J Munby’s practice in Manchester. Joseph Munby to be entitled to two-thirds of the capital and interest and F J Munby to one third.

13 Sep. 1873.
Memo that the partnership be continued for 3 years from 1 Jan 1874 or from such date as F J Munby should come to reside in York. The profits to be divided equally between the partners, those earned by F J Munby elsewhere being accounted as part of the profits of the partnership.

[Summary provided by a volunteer.]

The copy is from the York Corporation Records, of 16 November 1801.

Salary £100 and expenses.
Signed and sealed by both parties, witnessed by Robert Rhodes (Mayor) and William Staveley.

From Sir George Wombwell of Wombwell, Bart, Sheriff of the County of York, appointing Joseph Munby of York, gentleman, or John Ord, of York, gentleman or William Pearson of York, gentleman to execute writs of enquiry in the absence of himself and Charles Bowns, gent. his undersheriff.

[Summary provided by a volunteer.]

Letters of Attorney from William Joseph Denison Esq, of Ayton, to Joseph Munby, John Ord and William Pearson of York, gentlemen, to execute the assignment of the Castle and prisoners to Sir George Wombwell, his successor as High Sheriff.

Appointment salary of £100, plus expenses and profits.

Contains:
Correspondence of John Forth as agent to Lord Carlisle at Castle Howard
Correspondence of Joseph Munby as an Attorney, including a large series with Giles Earl of Beningbrough
Correspondence relating to the retirement of FJ Munby as a Magistrate's Clerk

The correspondence relates to professional business, but also includes personal and social news and exchanges.