MRP: 24th March 1665/66, Letter from James Oxinden to Sir GO, London

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24th March 1665/66, Letter from James Oxinden to Sir GO, London

BL, Add. MS. 40,708 - 40,713, vol, 235, year 1665, f. 17

Editorial history

28/05/09, CSG: Completed transcription
15/12/11, CSG: Created page & posted transcription to wiki






Abstract & context


James Oxenden, Sir George Oxenden's nephew, was the eldest son of Sir Henry Oxenden. He was in his early twenties and had recently returned from two years of travels, principally to Italy, but also in Montpellier, France. Sir Henry looked to his eldest son to help him with Sir George Oxenden's commercial affairs, following the death of their sister, Elizabeth Dallison.

In this letter from James to his uncle, James reports the death of his aunt, Elizabeth Dallison. He refers to his own travels, remembering Elizabeth's "kindness & fav:rs before I wney beyond sea, which were redoubled upon me at my returne."

James writes in a style which reveals his education. He puns as to "this Dull Corner wherein I now write (formerly a little Court by the lustre of her presence)." He is referring to the Corner, sometimes called the Old Corner, near Ludgate and the Old Bailey, which the Oxenden family often frequented when in London. Now a Dull Corner, it has become a Dismal Dungeon, a court over which his aunt no longer presides.



Suggested links


See January 1666/67, Letter from James Oxinden to Sir GO, Deane
See April 1667, Letter from James Oxinden to Sir GO

See The Corner or Old Corner, near Ludgate (and Old Bailey), London



To do


(1) Check transcription against physical manuscript at BL



Transcription


This transcription has been completed, but required checking

BL, Add. MS. 40,708 - 40,713, vol, 235, year 1665, f. 17


Most honnoured S:r

Never did my heart feell greater afflcition for the saddneresse my Penn sends yo:w of my Deare Aunts Death[1] which is the more grievous because unexpected wee having been lulld into the ?severity of her life by the Flattering hopes, y:e Phyitians[2] continually fedd us w:e whereby they injured is by unpreparing us for so great a Stroake & complyted not w:th her desires and demands which she often made them to know her danger, though with little foresight allways assuring her, twas as easy to [XXXX] her, as to tell her So untill at last her fatall & sudden Departure showd them ?theye [XXXX] & [XXX] injury, into which we are so deeply Plunged, y:t nothing but yo:r presence cann ever extur[XXX]te us, Never doo I thinke was there such agonn:ll losse, to yo:r Deare S:r because of your Relation & affaires I know inexpressible, & for my owne pticular, I can nott consider it without Trembling I experienced much of her kindness & fav:rs before I wney beyond sea, which were redoubled upon me at my returne, & shee was so studious for my advancement that I shall deplore how less to my grace This Dull Corner[3] wherein I now write (formerly a little Court by the lustre of her presence) now looks like a Dissmall Dungeon from where all worth & honour is frighted till yo:w come back againe to restore it to us, in the mean time I hope my Fathers vigilant industry will putt yo:r affaires in a good posture for yo:r reception to which if I cann contribute any Service I shall not faile to Imploy it w:te a great Deale of Allacrity & ffidelity being S:r

Yo:r most obliged Nephew & most humble Serv:t
James Oxinden

Pray psent my love to my Bro: Henry[4] & Service to my Couzens[5]



Notes

  1. Elizabeth Dallison, who died in London on March 17th, 1665/66
  2. Dr. Measlier and Sir George Ent
  3. Probably a reference to the "Old Corner", or "Corner, Old Bailey", which is the address used by several of the Oxenden family, when writing from London. See The Corner or Old Corner, near Ludgate (and Old Bailey), London
  4. Henry Oxenden, one of James Oxenden's younger brothers, who was in the East Indies with Sir George Oxenden
  5. Streynsham Master, Robert Master, Harry Bromfield, who were also in the East Indies. A further cousin, Charles Masters, had recently returned to London from the East Indies. See 10th March 1665/66, Letter from Ann Master to Sir GO, London