Letter – William Lee to John Erasmus Blackett – 23 Feb 1794

      Leeds 23rd February 1794

Dear Sir

      Mrs Lee & all the Family here are so much distressed by an Event that took place yesterday, that I cannot without great Desolation inform you the particulars, what I allude to is the Elopement of Miss Wentworth with a Mr. Stackpool, an Affair that we had not the smallest Idea of, for Miss Wentworths acquaintance with him, has only been about a months standing, & their having seen each other as far as we can learn, is very seldom Indeed. I thought it right to acquaint you with this Event, as you may then use your own discretion. On Thursday last she went to a Concert at York, with Mr. & Mrs. Fenton of the <Glasshouse>, being going there for a few days into Lodgings very kindly invited her to go and be with them, which she accepted, but contrived to <settle> with Mr. Stackpool to go off on Saturday Morning which was effected yesterday at Ten o’clock, by making an Excuse to my Aunt Fenton, that she was walking out to pay a Bill for some of her Servants Cloaths, a Chaise being ready at Micklegate Barr, she accordingly decamped: I am sure you will feel great concern at the Receipt of this Letter. All the Family there join me in comp[limen]ts. I am







      Your Most humble Servant 

      W[illia]m Lee



[on verso:] John Erasmus Blackett Esq.

Charlotte Square / Newcastle / North



[annotated in JEB’s hand:] William Lee Esq./ 23 Feb[ruar]y 1794