Item 1823/4 - Letter from Maria E Parish to William French

1 item, paper

Letter from Maria E. Parish to William French. States she is writing to him a second time but feels she has to on account of false rumours being spread by Rev Mr Forby, the vicar in her parish in Norfolk. Parish writes that Forby promised to her dying father that he would ensure she was taken care of. She visited Cambridge with her mother in the hope that they could meet French or confront Arthey. She explains more details about Arthey's declarlations of love and marriage and that he intended to marry her once his studies were complete. Arthey was apparently fully aware of Parish' condition and feelings but still made no attempt to contact her. Mr Burleigh had arranged for Parish to meet Mr Hustler but 'due to his indisposition' he wasn't able to speak with her for long. She understands French took up her case warmly but then after a letter from Forby, his opinion changed. She and her mother then had to leave Cambridge as they could not afford to stay any longer to see French. Parish declares the Arthey family were not well respected in the village, at least not as much as hers, and that somehow they have decided to work with Mr. Forby to tarnish her reputation. She also declares that Mr. Forby can take against someone without reason and had done so against her mother. Forby refused Parish or her mother to attend church. He also refused to baptise the child and then refused to allow it to be buried when it died. On the death of her father there was no income and so they were evicted from their house (that her parents had lived in for 43 years) and found it difficult to find a replacement as Mr. Forby kept encouraging people not to let property to them. They found something after a month. Parish just hopes French will believe her. The date on this letter may be incorrect suggested by the letter from Maria's mother and was most likely written in 1822. Good complete red wax seal still attached, possibly showing Forby himself.

See Archive of the Month https://www.jesus.cam.ac.uk/articles/archive-month-low-wench-or-suffering-child