Catalogue description CORRESPONDENCE - Gregory Family

Letter from Arthur Gregory to his successor, relating that he came into his estate in 1738, with a rental of 650 pounds, but a debt of 2000 pounds with two fortunes of 500 pounds apiece to his sisters and a fortune of 500 pounds to his brother unpaid, an annuity to his uncle Gregory of 40 pounds, his Stichall tenants in arrears and the buildings out of repair; that the enclosure and improvements he made cost 3000 pounds, a new mansion house 6000 pounds [see no. 1518], and that the estate is now let for 1408 pounds; that his first wife's fortune was 3000 pounds and she lived for four years after the marriage; that his second wife's estate 'after the loss of the Jamaica estate which cost me as much in defending a long Chancery suit as I ever received from it', was worth 6000 pounds of which 3800 pounds are in funds; that by her he had fifteen children, eight now living. 'Econemy and frugality was my plan of life, and I recommend it to my successor as the way to make his life a happy one and enjoy that moderate fortune I have left him; that he observes this maxim not to live to the extent of his income but to keep within it.'