MRP: 31st March 1663, Letter from Ann Master to Sir GO, Langden

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31st March 1663, Letter from Ann Master to Sir GO, Langden

BL, Add. MS. XX,XXX, ff. 69-70

Editorial history

02/06/09, CSG; Completed transcription
13/12/11, CSG: Created page






Abstract & context


Ann Master, one of Sir George Oxenden's elder sisters, wrote to him from Langden in East Kent.

Her letter is full of Oxenden and Master family news, especially of her now elderly, but redoubtable, mother, Lady Margaret Oxenden, and her brother Sir Henry Oxenden's new, and third, wife.

Ann ends with the hope that her sons Streynsham and Robert Masters are being of service to Sir George Oxenden out in the East Indies. A third son, Charles Masters, is returning from the East Indies, and she hopes that he will be able to visit Surat before he returns to England



Suggested links


See 10th March 1665/66, Letter from Ann Master to Sir GO, London
See 15th January 1666/67, Letter from Ann Master to Sir GO, Langdon
See 13th October 1667, Letter from Ann Master to Sir GO, Langdon Abbey

See profile of Master family

See Langdon (Abbey)



To do


(1) Check transcription against physical manuscript at BL



Transcription


This transcription has been completed, but needs to be checked

[BL, Add. MS. XX,XXX, ff. 69-70]

[f. 69]

Deeere Brother

This is y:e first time I have had an opportunity to write to you; hope it will finde you safe arrived, & well in health, my deep obligations to you, sommen mee to a true acknowldegm:t of yo:r Long & are of mee & mind, w:ch I heard present you w:th my most faithfull love & service shall allways attend you If I were in a capability to show it, but all things of y:t nature are out of my ?Orbet having no way but my prayers to y:e Lord Allmighty to assist you in y:e great undertakings I shall most heartily & dayly, begg at y:d throne of grace that you may bee preserved from all dang:er & retourne to yo:r Native Country w:ch will bee y:d Joy of my heart.

My lre will speake no sad storyes of lessening o:r family in any kind nor can I say it is increased by any new kindredd, or relations since yo:r Departures, all stands as you left them onely my brother Oxindons[1] eldest son my Nephew James[2] is Gon into ffrance to travell for a yeare or two w:th a very sober Gentellman for his Companion, w:ch was much to his satisfaction; Brother Oxinden[3] hath had a very sharp fitt of y:e Goute this winter, w:ch hath bine y:e bitterest winter wee have had this many a yeare for frost & snow w:ch o:r Deere Mother bore w:th good Strength & health, & is very Cheerfull y:t I must needs say she showes a decay in her Countenance which cannot bee otherwise in her great yeares, she had a feaver in y:e summer w:th a very soare throate & mouth w:ch much afflicted her for y:e present but shee recovered in short time; Sister Oxindon[4] is an excellent Daughter to her & gave her great tendance in y:t sicknesse & makes it her Businesse to send and report her w:ch indeers she dooth to all my Brothers relations w:th very high civilities & in deeres her selfe much into y:e ffamily to all o:r Contents; but is not like, ??boldene to bring any younge ones. Wen o:r deare Brother Christopher[5] went last into India I sent á venture of 25:ll part of it my daughters Annes I writt to Strentiam á bout it ye last yeare recvd from him y:t hee founde y:e receipt in my Deere Brothers bookes I desire if you please to hand it returning in small Dyamnonds they lye in little xxxxx & xxxx over w:thout noise or notice to y:e Comp:a w:ch are now very strict & by reason of my intris, I would not give them any publiqe cause of offence. I would not hinder yo:e more great affaires w:ch w:th my small businesse, onely bege you would give Strentiam[6] leave to order it according to my desires

Deere Brother when you arrived In India

[f. 70]

I hope you found my Two sonns[7] able to bee servisable to you & fitted for y:e Comp:a service w:ch by yo:r favour & assistance may bee capable of good imploym:t w:ch I bessch y:e Lord to blesse unto them y:t they may doo good to them selves, & gaine esteeme of theire imployers, poore Charles I hope will see Surratt before hee retournes home I beseech you to take knowledge of him, which will bee a great honor to him & much oblidge her y:t most really is

Yo:r truely affectionate
Sister & humble serv:t
An: Master

Langden March 31:th 1663



Notes

  1. Sir Henry Oxenden, the eldest brother, who resided at Deane. See biographical profile of Sir Henry Oxenden
  2. The future Sir James Oxenden
  3. Sir Henry Oxenden, the eldest Oxenden brother, and owner of the family estate at Deane, Kent
  4. Elizabeth Oxenden, Sir Henry Oxenden's third wife. Elizabeth was the widow of Sir Basil Diwell (CHECK)
  5. Christopher Oxenden, younger brother of Anne Masters and Sir George Oxenden. Christopher died in Surat in 1659
  6. Anne Master's son, Streynsham Masters
  7. Robert and Streynsham Masters were Anne's two sons out in the East Indies with Sir George Oxenden