Ɛpsilon

From Emma and Charles Darwin   13 May 1865

[Down]

May 13th. 1865

In case of my death, I desire that a yearly annuity of £50 be paid to J. Parslow for his faithful services & friendship, as long as he may live; or in case of his becoming unfit for service.—1

In case of my wifes sudden death, with no proper provision having been made for this annuity being paid, We desire our children to pay conjointly this annuity.—2

Ch. Darwin | Emma Darwin

DS

1
Joseph Parslow was the butler at Down House; he began in CD’s service in Upper Gower Street, London, circa 1840 (see Browne 1995). Parslow retired in 1875 on a pension of £50 a year and the rent of his house, Home Cottage, Back Lane, Down (Freeman 1978).
2
The document is folded in a small envelope bearing the words, ‘Memorandum | Annuity for J. Parslow | May 1865.’

Manuscript Alterations and Comments

1.1 yearly] interl
1.1 £50] ‘£’ above ‘50’ in MS
2.1 having been made] added

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-4832,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-4832