This week I took receipt of a letter, written in January 1843 by a man, William Park, who was imprisoned in the debtors’ cells at Lancaster Castle. The letter is formed of only one piece of paper, sealed, so no envelope was needed.

It makes for some fascinating reading. William, of Cragg House, Dalton, Burton in Kendal, previously a farmer/lime burner had fallen upon hard times and was now imprisoned in the ‘Smugglers’ Room above the gatehouse in Lancaster Castle. He had twelve children (some grown, some dependent) and a wife, Esther.

In the letter, sent to his wife, he directs her to forward it to a local auctioneer, Mr Kilshaw, asking for his wife’s clothing to be valued and for the proceeds of the furniture recently sold to be communicated to him so he could claim relief as an Insolvent Debtor in court.

The good news was William was eventually released by his creditors and jail. By the time of the 1851 census, he was now widowed (Esther died in 1846) and was living in East View Cottage at Witherslack with some of his younger children and partners. Whilst he never regained his former status he at least lived comfortably in his own home with his family. He passed away aged 78 in 1855.

The letter in full, reads as follows-

“(?) Park, (?) House, Dalton, Burton in Kendal, (?)Thomas Hoggets

25th January 1843 from William Park to Kilshaw

You must give these two papers to Mr Kilshaw Auctioneer and sent the printed papers back as soon as possible in a latter and directed to William Park, Smugglers Room, Lancaster Castle

(overleaf)

Smugglers Room, Lancaster Castle, 25th January 1843

Sir, Enclosed I send you a form of valuation which you will please have the goodness to fill up according to the directions in the marginal notes, taking a valuation of my wife’s wearing apparel and insert same in the body of such form. As to the furniture, you will put in the lower part of the form according to facts. You will also please let me know the date and amount of sale made by you in August last. I am petitioning the Court for Relief of Insolvent Debtors and without such information I cannot complete my Schedule. Your attention will oblige.

Sir, yours etc.

William Park

Late of Cragg House

Mr.Kilshaw”