WCP7235

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.¹

Sept^r. 18th. 1900

My dear Will

I send you the Testimonials.

I also send some of the particulars of Pedigree, & when you have time you can go to Hanworth Church² & look at the Register of births for the two years I have noted in pencil, which will show whether the Admiral Wallace³ was my great Uncle.

Carter went to Laleham⁴ for me, as you will see by his letter, & then I wrote to the Vicar of Laleham who went [2] to Hanworth & got the information. Hanworth is about 3 miles beyond Twickenham, & the nearest way seems to be for you to get to Clapham Common & then straight on to Richmond & Twickenham. It is about 16 or 17 miles from Honor Oak but very cross-country. It might be better to train to Clapham, & then it is a pretty direct road.

When at Hanworth you might try & see the Steward or Bailiff of Hanworth Estate — the Church is [3] in Hanworth Park — & ask if there are any Estate books which would show whether any one named Wallace was on the Estate either as tenant or employee in the early ^latter part of the ^18th Century — 1780 about.

If not whether there are any old people who know of or have heard about the Wallaces who lived there 90 or 100 years ago.

⁵The Estate belonged to the Vere family (Duke of St Albans & Baron Vere) & my father was named Vere.⁶

I also send you Mrs. Gorringe's⁷ letter. I think you saw her when she was Miss O'Hara. Anyhow will you call with your camera all ready, & [4] ask to see the portrait of the Architect William Greenell, my great-great-Uncle, & said to be like me; and then ask her to let you take a photo. of it.⁸ It was ours — (my mother's⁹) with 2 or 3 others older & not so well preserved, & they were given to Miss Roberts¹⁰ because we had no room for them, — & they came into [1 word deleted] the possession of Mrs. Gorringe with the house at Epsom.¹¹

It was no doubt by order of her husband¹² that she wrote the letter to me which I enclose. He is in business somewhere ^near London.

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

¹³It would be well to call either in the morning or to ask for an appointment.