WCP1655

[1]

Hertford

Aug^st. 12. 1835

I am much concerned my dear Friend¹ that the renewal of our correspondence should be occasioned by a painful occurrence and one so entirely unexpected, — I allude to M^r. Wilson's mis misfortunes which must I fear involve many others besides himself.² You are doubtless aware that your Father³ is joint Executor & Trustee with M^r. Wilson to my dear Fathers⁴ will; the Legacies which were left therein to our children though directed to be invested in the funds⁵ have nevertheless remained in M^r. Wilsons hands, and there is still upwards of £300 remaining unpaid of these legacies — since M^r. Wilson's unfortunate failure we have asked the advice of more than one professional Gentleman on the subject; the opinion is, that the other Trustee becomes liable to make good the deficiency and that he has his remedy by proving the amount as a debt against M^r Wilson's estate[.]

Considering the weak state which your Father is in we feel very reluctant to harrass [sic] him with this matter [and] have therefore addressed you that you may mention [2] it when & in what way you judge best.

As you have been in the habit of corresponding with Martha⁶ and M^r. Wilson perhaps you had better learn what he can do! or what probability there is of his being able to make good the money at any period. I have written twice but nothing satisfactory was returned either time, I feel assured he will consider it a debt of honor [sic] to be paid to my children, but if there is nothing how can it be paid? I hope you will not feel offended at this application in behalf of my poor children, they have but little, and it is hard that little (their all) should be lost! It is a delicate matter to know how to act between friends, but in such a matter as this I must act the best for my children by doing everything in my power to recover that which seems lost through the failure of one of the Trustees. The only remedy left me, is to state the matter to the other (through you) he having equally engaged to see the will executed agreeable to the wishes of the Testator.

My situation is a most painful one we are harrassed [sic] in every way. The interest upon these legacies which I have hitherto received of M^r Wilson being all I have [3] had to find my self & younger children in clothes &c is now stopped — which places me in a very awkward dilemma, in fact, this unhappy business of my Brother's will be felt severely by us in many ways. We have been obliged to write for Fanny to return⁷ as her remittance is stopped, there is £45 due to her which I fear she will never get, it is a serious loss to a girl who has to get her living by her abilities & who had hoped to have had it in her power to have remained abroad a few months longer for the sake of obtaining a more thorough knowledge of the language. Dear John⁸ to [sic] is unpleasantly situated as M^r. Wilson had engaged to pay his board half yearly out of his Legacy which he can no longer do. All this will I trust excuse me in your eyes for making application to your Father (this being a last forlorn hope) I must now conclude this painful epistle.

[signature: illegible initials]

[4] Letter from Mrs. Wallace to Miss Draper (August. 1835) about Mr Wilson's bankruptcy & Mr. Draper's joint Executorship under Mr. John Greenell's Will.⁹