From W. E. Howlett to Leonard Darwin 13 June 1879

My dear Sir,

I mentioned the fact of the visit of yourself and Brother to Cleatham, and Manton, to my Friend Edw^d. Peacock Esq of Bottesford Manor F.S.A. &c &c and while, he much regretted that he had not had the pleasure of meeting you and assisting you in your inquiries, he promised to jot down some little matters which he thought might possibly be useful to you. I now inclose them to you in Mr Peacock's own writing which I hope you will be able to make out—for like many Literary men his writing is not at all times easy to read.

I find that the Rev^d. John Darwin was in 1801 the owner of about 90 acres of Land now owned by different Proprietors—in this Parish—

I shall be glad at any time to render any assistance in my power and shall watch with some anxiety the announcement of "The Life of D^r. Darwin".

Sometime perhaps I may be fortunate enough to meet you again—for I shall ever have the liveliest recollection of your Visit here—and should you ever find it necessary to visit these parts again I shall be proud if you will make my house your home.

Old M^r Maw was at my house this morning— I told him I was about writing to you and he begged to be most Kindly remembered to you

Yours Very truly | W^m. E: Howlett

L. Darwin Esq.

[Enclosure]

Written by Edward Peacock Esq. of Bottesford Manor F.S.A. June 1879

C Darwin

A Will. Darwin of Wavertree Lancashire had his estate confiscated by the commonwealth. See my [illeg] [illeg] to confiscations. He was I apprehend undoubtedly of the same race as the Cleatham fold.

William Darwyn of the County of Lincoln (this is the Cleatham man) had to pay £248 for fine & compensation for his delinquency and for taking the sequestration off from his estate Commons Journals IV.407. There are other unimportant ref to him in the Com. Jour. & in the Lords also I think, but am not sure as I have not this latter at hand.

There is a pedigree of Darwin of Cleatham Lincolnsh. Elston, Nottingh. & Breadsall, Derbysh. m [illeg] [illeg] of Derbyshire II. 178

The indexes to the Calendars of State papers should be looked through, speaking from memory I should say there are facts therein about the Darwins.

I think but am not sure I have come across some wills of theirs in the 17th century will indexes at Lincoln.

The Inquest post mortem wh are in the Records Office should be examined for Linc. Derby & Nott. They begin at a very early period and end about 1642–5  They set forth when landowners died, how they held their lands & who were the heirs, for genealogy they are quite trustworthy all along, as to tenures they are not to be depended on after the 15^th cent unless supported by better evidence

There is an index to some of those preserved in the Exchequer in the ^Xth report of the Deputy Keeper of Public Records. and these Exchequer copies are better to use than the chancery originals as they are much clearer to read. There are however only a very few of them when compared with the great mass in Chancery, both series are in the Record Office as well as a third belonging to the Court of Wards & Liveries.

The index to the bills & answers in Chancery should be consulted (Record Office) there are often wonderfully minute genealogical & biographical facts in the Chancery papers.

There are three or four series of charters in the Brit Museum.— The Harleyan— The Egerton & the additional. These may contain useful facts.

The wills of the Nottinghamsh. Darwins will probably be at York, but the indexes of those in Somerset House should be examined.

Col. Chester, 124 Southwark Park Road London S.E. has large collection of Linc. Pedigrees  He might be able to give information or suggest places to look [illeg] in wh. I have neglected to mention. He is the most accomplished genealogist in Europe—