Ruth's Blog

The last blog post featured early 19th century letters of solicitor William Wilson.  I found one of these so intriguing, that I am presenting the complete letter.  It was written to Wilson in July 1819 by a man that I shall call CB.  He was a young solicitor who lived in Louth, and who had married a couple of years earlier.  In the letter CB refers to Frederick his wife’s brother, Charles Frederick Burton who was also a solicitor and CB’s business partner.

“Sir.  On my return home I was exceedingly surprised at hearing from Mr Butterfield that I had behaved in an extraordinary manner to your client Trafford 5 weeks ago.

“I can assure you that until that time (Monday last) I knew nothing of the matter, nor do I at present further than what I have heard from Mr Butterfield.  My brother Frederick was with me at Golceby but never mentioned any improper conduct of mine and, as I was much fatigued from walking there and taking 4 pints of ale, I do not know what happened nor that I even saw Trafford.  I never had any conversation with Trafford previously.  If I were to see him, I’d not know him.  I wrote to Frederick Burton at Hereford on Monday evening last to know how the matter was.   At present I know nothing about it other than as represented by Mr Butterfield.  I did all in my power yesterday to see Trafford, and Butterfield and his son on my behalf saw him and he through them referenced you to me.

“Under these circumstances which I can prove to you, I have not the least objection to leave the matter to your own sense of law and equity and will do anything that you may reasonably require of me as I am fully convinced of your impartial conduct on all occasions.

“I should prefer that, rather than awaiting the receipt of my brother’s reply, I may have some corroboration of the charges made by Trafford.  Should Trafford be alarmed (as he says he is) I will enter into any voluntary recognizance for keeping the peace towards him, it being very unlikely that I should want to speak to a man that I do not know in the streets.

“I have no objection to wait upon you at your earliest convenience.  I could prove by referencing Mr Overton (apothecary) that when I am intoxicated, I do not know what I am about.  I know that is no extenuation of crime except as to the intention.”

A newspaper report tells us that a few months after this letter was written, a warrant was issued for the apprehension of CB, attorney at law, for falsely obtaining from the shop of Edwin Eyres, watchmaker, a good watch, the property of Mr Charles Wing, surgeon.  CB was bailed until the next quarter sessions in Louth.

After this, I could find no records in Louth or elsewhere in the UK relating to either CB, his wife, baby daughter, or Frederick.  They seemed to have vanished.  However, I did find mention of solicitor Charles Frederick Burton in Adelaide, Australia.  I surmise that CB and Frederick must have decided that their professional reputation as solicitors in the UK was ruined, and their best option was to flee to the other side of the globe.

Can you imagine what gossip this would have created in the town!