A fascinating glimpse into society life at the end of the 18th century in Shropshire is given in a letter an Irish boy boarding at Shrewsbury School wrote to his mother 224 years ago today.
The unknown pupil at the old school building which is now the town library, pictured below, told in a letter dated December 27, 1787, how he had dined with his aunt in Shrewsbury on Christmas Day.
As reported in Shropshire Notes and Queries, he continued: “I saw the Earl of Portarlington on Monday with his lady go from the Lion in their own coach, which was so heavy that four horses were scarcely able to stir out of the Lion yard.
“But yesterday I saw more than this; it was Miss Pultney’s birthday, and she was of age yesterday, so there was great rejoicing.
“The British ensign was displayed from the mount before the Castle, where he lives, and the Jack from the top of the Castle, a flag was displayed from the battlement of St Mary’s tower.
“An ox was roasted whole in the meadow behind our house, a sheep in the Raven Street, and another before the Town Hall (Papa knows all these places) and as much drink (strong beer) given out from the Castle as they asked for, which (were) open for anyone to drink what they pleased, with flags displayed from the tops of them.
“At night the Raven Street and mount at the Castle were illuminated and some houses here and there in other parts of the town.
“Mr Pultney also gave a ball and supper at the Lion to which he gave a general invitation in the newspaper. I got to the door of the Assembly Room just in time to see Mr and Miss P get out of their coach.
“He looked very well last night and like a gentleman. I saw her for the first time; she is not very handsome, but I think she is a pretty-looking girl; she was dressed in a kind of a chocolate-coloured satin, trimmed with ermine, she seemed to me to have no hoop.
“They say she is to have £16,000 a year in her own possession now that she is at age.
“Last week (was) the hunt week, too, when there were fine dinners at the Lion every day, a concert on Tuesday evening, and a ball on Thursday, when I went also to the door of the Assembly Room to see the company go in, unknown to Mr J, but Mrs J gave us leave.
“Well, I have told you enough of all this I believe.”
He then sends various messages to different members of the family and signs off W.L.B.
There’s more about life in Shrewsbury in the 18th century in Four Centuries at The Lion Hotel.
To buy a signed copy of the book for £6 including postage within the UK email John@jbutterworth.plus.com
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