Parsons Letter to Percy April 19, 1775
(1775. M. Parsons)
Rev’d Sir,
I here enclose you such Ballads as I can find among my Papers; - If you have received them before, committ them to the flames; if you have not, I wish they may be of Service, & that you may be able to make them out, as it will require some study to overcome the bad writing of Some of them.
I have Look’d the MS over for the Person you mentioned. – Much is said Letheringham, and more of the Wingfields than of any family. – But among Sixteen of that Surname mentioned, there is not One thats name Edward;- Indeed Wingfield & Naunton take up the whole account of Letheringham. –
The Person nearest the date you mentioned is a Sir Antony Wingfield, of whom is the following account:
“Sir Antony Wingfield Baronet 1638 estate 33, then High Sheriff of Suffolk; the thirteenth high sheriff of that family; Ann his Lady daughter of Sir John Deane cant [1] set up the monument- he had by her 7 Children (2 died young) he left alive at his Death 3 Sons, Richard, Anthony & John, 2 daughters, Ann & Elizabeth. –
- If you require any further account, which the Book may give, it is at your Service. – There is no Genealogy of the Wingfields -
I am
Rev’d Sir
Your Most Obedient
humble Servant
P. Parsons
Wye. April 19.
Near Ashford 1775. -
Kent –
P.S. All the Songs that I have enclosed are Original, at least to me –
That one on the other side [2], a Friend took from the Spinning Wheel in Suffolk –
Footnotes:
1. hard to read
2. Randall, my son [Lord Randal- Child 12S]