Letters from Walter R. Osborne
TitleLetters from Walter R. Osborne
ReferenceU140/L/97
Date
?1820s, 1835 - 1840s
Production date 1835 - 1850
Scope and ContentSeries of letters from Walter R. Osbourne to brother in law Richard Dowden (Osborne married Dowden's sister, Susan on 28 Dec 1826).
1. 13 Jun 1835 MS. letter to Dowden, Royal Hotel, Dublin. Refers to Susan's health and intended holiday, etc. (2pp)
2. 16 Mar 1837 Asking him to collect small debts for him while in Limerick. He has been ill with possible typhus and had leeches applied to the back of each ear. Refers to several [business] failures in Cork including Drew, Johnson, Barnes Iron Foundry and O'Keeffes. (4pp)
3. 28 May 1837 To Dowden, Radley's Hotel, Dublin regarding Unitarian and family news. Also criticises Cork Corporation and mentions Meagher's and Hayes' speeches in court. (4pp)
4. 26 May 1838 He is obliged for copy of the Evening Post with article on education in Holland and pleasing news from West Indies. Beale has a letter from the London secretary announcing victory in the Commons. The [Cork] Constitution did not cover the debate due to its 'hatred to any progression of the human family in liberty'. He is sorry to find Lord John Russell joining this party against the measures even after the majority in the Common. Remarks on various family members. (4pp)
5. 8 Jun 1838 He will be travelling to London for 3 weeks by 'long sea', on Dr. Murphy's advice. There is a meeting of the Unitarian Society in London, which he would attend to represent Cork. (1p)
6. 26 May 1839 Tells of a gunpowder explosion which injured Margaret's son John and of her husband's desire to go to New South Wales in Australia. Says he goes regularly to meet McIntosh, Dyer, Deane, at Sunday School, etc. (4pp)
7. 28 May 1839 To Dowden in Dublin. Refers to meeting to address the Queen, 'called off', chief speakers Jefferies of Blarney, Fagan, Walsh, etc. Comments on absurdity of duel between James Morgan and Joe Hayes, and 'If they had both shot ... [one another]...how little the public would have lost!'. Suggests that Dowden whisper into the ministers ears to come out boldly with some good measures, some that will startle the Tories...', etc. (2pp)
8. 2 Jun [1835-9] To Dowden, Dublin. expressing concern for Susan's health. Dr. Murphy has ordered her 'to the country'. She exhibits 'wonderful elasticity and energy of mind'. They moved to Passage for a month, etc. (3pp)
9. 3 Jun 1839 To Dowden, Dublin. Asks him to pay a small account for him, etc (2pp)
10. 26 Jun 1839 To Dowden, Brown Street Cork, concerning business matters, partnership, etc. (1p)
11. 28 Jun 1840 To Dowden, care of Revd. Mr. Orr, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Mentions a 'war of bigotry' to be commenced. He has not seen Mr. Hart since, but he has been lately 'paid much attention by Sloane and his wife...intended to influence him...to vote in opposition to the liberal interest...'. (3pp)
12. 27 Jul 1840 From Passage West to Dowden care of Dillon Esq., Summerville, near Waterford. Refers to a printed historical notice of the origin of the Cork Presbyterian Meeting House which he forwards for Dowden's and Mary Jenning's perusal, etc. (4pp)
13. nd [1820s-1830s] Portion of letter (4pp)
14. nd [1820s-1830s] Portion of letter re. thoughts on love. (4pp)
15. nd [1820s-1830s] Asking for loan. He had a letter from Mr. Purser who has influenza and asks him to be ready for his essay. (3pp)
16. nd [1820s-1830s] Asking to lend the 'Blue Stocking' for a time. Mentions John having an severe attack of common cholera, but he is quite well again. Encloses a note from John Osborne aksing for a few slips of roses and fucias. (2pp)
17. nd [1820s-1830s] Thanks Miss Jennings for her basket of sodas and sympaythy. (3pp)
18. nd [1820s-1830s] Asking him if he might attend the meeting to hear the discussion on Phrenology. (1p)
19. nd [1820s-1830s] Refers to scorch mark caused by candle on a copy of the Teacher. (1p)
20. nd [1820s-1830s] Sends a box to hold Susan's shells. Asks what he should put on Ann's sunburn. (1p)
21. nd [1820s-1830s] Regards proposed mixed marriage between a Catholic girl and an Englishman named Preston, who has a difficulty with her being a Catholic. Seeks advice on whether 'Sloane' would 'do the needful', and marry the two. (1p)
22. nd [1820s-1830s] Hopes he can come to the anti-slavery breakfast as he may '...influence the Quakers as to the approaching election', who would '...not call a [fire] for us whites or our liberties, yet the blacks across the sea are very precious...'. (2pp)
23. nd [1820s-1830s] Encloses a 'very pleasing' letter from Sharman Crawford regarding a parish petition against 'the unchristian taxes for the payment of the clergy...'. He wrote to Crawford calling attention to certain clauses and expressing '... regret that this important question had been so generally argued and treated as a catholic grievance...' (2pp)
24. nd [1820s-1830s] All the children were poorly yesterday and he set them all to write letters. (2pp)
25. nd [1820s-1830s] Encloses Mr. Parson's letter, his health is poor, but he has a 'fool for a Doctor'. Mentions wisdom of using 'rotten cheese...as a specific for dyspepsia', etc (2pp)
26. nd [1820s-1830s] Refers to Susan's deteriorating health. She requested to see Mary. (3pp)
27. nd [1820s-1830s] Susan thanks him for his affectionate letter. Asks Dowden to sell him a small quantity of strong vinegar, 'for applying to Susan's chest- mixed with Whiskey'. Mentions Dowden's 'kind and brotherly partiality' towards him before he had the pleasure to be so nearly related. (2pp)
1. 13 Jun 1835 MS. letter to Dowden, Royal Hotel, Dublin. Refers to Susan's health and intended holiday, etc. (2pp)
2. 16 Mar 1837 Asking him to collect small debts for him while in Limerick. He has been ill with possible typhus and had leeches applied to the back of each ear. Refers to several [business] failures in Cork including Drew, Johnson, Barnes Iron Foundry and O'Keeffes. (4pp)
3. 28 May 1837 To Dowden, Radley's Hotel, Dublin regarding Unitarian and family news. Also criticises Cork Corporation and mentions Meagher's and Hayes' speeches in court. (4pp)
4. 26 May 1838 He is obliged for copy of the Evening Post with article on education in Holland and pleasing news from West Indies. Beale has a letter from the London secretary announcing victory in the Commons. The [Cork] Constitution did not cover the debate due to its 'hatred to any progression of the human family in liberty'. He is sorry to find Lord John Russell joining this party against the measures even after the majority in the Common. Remarks on various family members. (4pp)
5. 8 Jun 1838 He will be travelling to London for 3 weeks by 'long sea', on Dr. Murphy's advice. There is a meeting of the Unitarian Society in London, which he would attend to represent Cork. (1p)
6. 26 May 1839 Tells of a gunpowder explosion which injured Margaret's son John and of her husband's desire to go to New South Wales in Australia. Says he goes regularly to meet McIntosh, Dyer, Deane, at Sunday School, etc. (4pp)
7. 28 May 1839 To Dowden in Dublin. Refers to meeting to address the Queen, 'called off', chief speakers Jefferies of Blarney, Fagan, Walsh, etc. Comments on absurdity of duel between James Morgan and Joe Hayes, and 'If they had both shot ... [one another]...how little the public would have lost!'. Suggests that Dowden whisper into the ministers ears to come out boldly with some good measures, some that will startle the Tories...', etc. (2pp)
8. 2 Jun [1835-9] To Dowden, Dublin. expressing concern for Susan's health. Dr. Murphy has ordered her 'to the country'. She exhibits 'wonderful elasticity and energy of mind'. They moved to Passage for a month, etc. (3pp)
9. 3 Jun 1839 To Dowden, Dublin. Asks him to pay a small account for him, etc (2pp)
10. 26 Jun 1839 To Dowden, Brown Street Cork, concerning business matters, partnership, etc. (1p)
11. 28 Jun 1840 To Dowden, care of Revd. Mr. Orr, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Mentions a 'war of bigotry' to be commenced. He has not seen Mr. Hart since, but he has been lately 'paid much attention by Sloane and his wife...intended to influence him...to vote in opposition to the liberal interest...'. (3pp)
12. 27 Jul 1840 From Passage West to Dowden care of Dillon Esq., Summerville, near Waterford. Refers to a printed historical notice of the origin of the Cork Presbyterian Meeting House which he forwards for Dowden's and Mary Jenning's perusal, etc. (4pp)
13. nd [1820s-1830s] Portion of letter (4pp)
14. nd [1820s-1830s] Portion of letter re. thoughts on love. (4pp)
15. nd [1820s-1830s] Asking for loan. He had a letter from Mr. Purser who has influenza and asks him to be ready for his essay. (3pp)
16. nd [1820s-1830s] Asking to lend the 'Blue Stocking' for a time. Mentions John having an severe attack of common cholera, but he is quite well again. Encloses a note from John Osborne aksing for a few slips of roses and fucias. (2pp)
17. nd [1820s-1830s] Thanks Miss Jennings for her basket of sodas and sympaythy. (3pp)
18. nd [1820s-1830s] Asking him if he might attend the meeting to hear the discussion on Phrenology. (1p)
19. nd [1820s-1830s] Refers to scorch mark caused by candle on a copy of the Teacher. (1p)
20. nd [1820s-1830s] Sends a box to hold Susan's shells. Asks what he should put on Ann's sunburn. (1p)
21. nd [1820s-1830s] Regards proposed mixed marriage between a Catholic girl and an Englishman named Preston, who has a difficulty with her being a Catholic. Seeks advice on whether 'Sloane' would 'do the needful', and marry the two. (1p)
22. nd [1820s-1830s] Hopes he can come to the anti-slavery breakfast as he may '...influence the Quakers as to the approaching election', who would '...not call a [fire] for us whites or our liberties, yet the blacks across the sea are very precious...'. (2pp)
23. nd [1820s-1830s] Encloses a 'very pleasing' letter from Sharman Crawford regarding a parish petition against 'the unchristian taxes for the payment of the clergy...'. He wrote to Crawford calling attention to certain clauses and expressing '... regret that this important question had been so generally argued and treated as a catholic grievance...' (2pp)
24. nd [1820s-1830s] All the children were poorly yesterday and he set them all to write letters. (2pp)
25. nd [1820s-1830s] Encloses Mr. Parson's letter, his health is poor, but he has a 'fool for a Doctor'. Mentions wisdom of using 'rotten cheese...as a specific for dyspepsia', etc (2pp)
26. nd [1820s-1830s] Refers to Susan's deteriorating health. She requested to see Mary. (3pp)
27. nd [1820s-1830s] Susan thanks him for his affectionate letter. Asks Dowden to sell him a small quantity of strong vinegar, 'for applying to Susan's chest- mixed with Whiskey'. Mentions Dowden's 'kind and brotherly partiality' towards him before he had the pleasure to be so nearly related. (2pp)
Extent27 items
Physical descriptionFragile
AccessHard copies: Accessible to Readers by appointment. Access restrictions apply to some collections. Digital object/copy: see Download Media and/or Digital Reference
RightsLicensing information available on request by email to archivist@corkcity.ie Copyright Cork City and County Archives, Cork City Council, unless otherwise indicated. All Rights Reserved.
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