Where GHOSTS Walk

On the heels of a visit in the footsteps of the Ladies of Llangollen, and in honor of TODAY being HALLOWEEN, I invite readers to take ten minutes and read the chapter entitled

which is part of Marion Hartand’s series “The Haunts of Familiar Characters in History and Literature“. The chapter included on this site, of course, is her take on Sarah Ponsonby and Eleanor Butler and Mary Carryl.

Harland’s piece is one of many culled from various books. Click on any of the list (at right, or also above), but also check out the whole BIBLIOGRAPHY. This includes not only biographical items, but also has a section on TRAVEL. Enjoy!

Oh, dear…

I’ve been VERY preocuppied lately, and see what happens: no new posts in MONTHS. But, rest assured, that doesn’t mean I’m not around!

Will get around to posting some further incidents in Michael’s wonderful “diggings” for anything and everything Ladies of Llangollen — which I have posted as “A Plas Newydd Timeline“.  We’ve comments about and “sightings” of Eleanor & Sarah from the 1780s through the late 1820s.

The BIBLIOGRAPHY has some links – most of which are working – to useful and unusual articles, book chapters, and such like. Links for some of the *major* pieces, like Harland, Hamilton, and Blackburne are most easily found by “hovering’ over the word bibliography in the menu at the top of the blog, or choosing from among the “pages” on the right side of the screen.

I’ve still a way to go with the Anna Seward Letters. Truly terrible, because I’ve got them all typed up, from when I had a website (before moving over to WordPress). It’s just a case of cutting/pasting/proofing (the last is where I really get bogged down).

There’s a LOT of information here – more to come – and more from anyone who cares to contribute is welcome!

When people are reading — and stats are showing me there IS an audience eager to read about The Ladies of Llangollen — and commenting, then I have to take the time to add more, don’t I. Keep me on my toes!

Thanks for the Memories

A brief post to say THANK YOU to all who contributed to the LADIES OF LLANGOLLEN blog in 2013. Some contributed texts, others images, and some readers posted comments, which are always welcome!

I want to take this opportunity to say that contributions are always welcome – news of a book or article; an image you don’t mind posting here; or just a brief ‘hello’ left in the comments.

I hope to continue with my own longstanding projects: CORRESPONDENCE (where did I leave off!) and also VISITORS, for I’ve a pile of off-prints from books unearthed about six years ago (oh, dear, where does the time go?).

I’ve been working on a silhouettes project for my Smiths & Goslings, and can’t help but post this piece of Sarah and Eleanor. There really is a wonderful, forgotten, craft of doing silhouette images. A favorite place to view them is at Wigs on the Green.

Happy New Year, and Best Wishes for 2014!

Anonymous Gentleman, c1810

My! how time flies…

Just had to rectify the post that announced to the world: Happy September, while December is well underway!

And a delightful treat is in store: Michael in Wales, who has been steadily feeding news of visitors and their reactions, has uncovered a delightful little story. Alas, by an Anonymous Gentleman. Must admit to wanting to know more about the writer after reading this tidbit. There seems such a delightful sense of humor in his comments.

You will find him posted at the head of the page “1810-1819” in the PLAS NEWYDD TIMELINE.

For those of you new to our LADIES OF LLANGOLLEN website, I should explain. You have two ways of finding such “primary” material — comments about the Ladies, especially visitors to the Ladies — by the menus at

• A Plas Newydd Timeline – see the menu at the right (or “hover” over that phrase on the menu above) and you’ll have a choice of dates; these are often unpublished works not found anywhere else!
• Visitors – also on the menu at right (or “hover” over that phrase on the menu above), these visitors are mainly those whose published diaries, letters, or writings mentioned visits to Llangollen and the Ladies.

Both place an emphasis on finding what we hope are the “less-hackneyed” reactions, stories, and encounters. Michael made an interesting observation when, in sending this and an 1830 mention that I have yet to post, he wrote, “it seems the later they are in date, the more they build in their expectations and suppositions rather than actual observation”.

That is what makes such *finds* so fascinating to read!

I simply could NOT resist this lovely photo of Winter River Dee, Llangollen.
Happy Holidays!

 

No April Fools

After a bit of an unanticipated ‘break’, the PLAS NEWYDD TIMELINE has resumed, with the years 1810 through 1819.

Visitors, like writer Mary Brunton (pictured), leave their scant impressions of the grounds and the Ladies: Sarah Ponsonby and Eleanor Butler.

The march of time is seen during these years: finally the end of the Napoleonic Wars!

War, however, did not keep Louis Simond from visiting England in the years 1810-11; his published book came out a few years later. I *love* his tale of the Ladies — for he seems among the few who applied for admittance, but was turned away!

New sightings of “The Ladies”

Added today, 4 February 2013, some sightings of Eleanor and Sarah during the years 1805 to 1809.

Of particular interest is Douglas’ entry and tour of the house. He puts you right in the rooms, beside him. A continued thank you to Michael for all these listings.

I’ve also added the Mary Parker (Lady Leighton) watercolors of the grounds around Plas Newydd. They are simply enchanting! My gratitude to Rose for sharing these with us.

Two New Visitors @ Plas Newydd

Michael and I had the same thought today: We each found a new visitor to Plas Newydd! They will, in due time, be added to the growing list (see menus at right), but will be posted here to enable me to say Happy New Year! to all readers of the Ladies of Llangollen’s Wordpress blog:

6 September 1821
(Thursday)

After ordering dinner, we went with the letters Mrs Tracy [possibly Hon Henrietta Tracy of Pontypool Park, Monmouthshire] had given us to call upon “the Ladies” – Lady Elinor Butler and Miss Ponsonby, two old ladies who live at a cottage near Llangollen – It is a charming place; it is beautifully ornamented with carved oak and both out and inside – which they themselves have collected – they are delightful people, and are always called “the Ladies” . They begged us to come in the evening, which we did … their rooms are full of pictures, trinkets etc. – they are acquainted with everybody and everything – … – they are the nicest people I ever saw, so droll.

Charles Octavius Swinnerton Morgan
Journal of a Tour through Wales
transcription & notes: Dai Morgan Evans
in Archaeologia Cambrensis (2011)

1 March 1828

before we left Langollen [sic] – we paid a visit to L:y Eleanor Butler & Miss Ponsonby – at their beautiful retired residence Plas Newydd — we spent an hour with them – and they were so entertaining that we left them with regret.

Susannah Mackworth Smith
diary, 1828

Plas Newydd Timeline, continues

Slowly, the Plas Newydd Timeline is building up! Tonight I’ve entered those mentions of Eleanor and Sarah from 1799 and 1800.

More to Come!

For those just joining us, and who are asking “What’s the ‘Plas Newydd Timeline’?” — click on the links (at right, or hover over the link above) to find out who was writing about whom as travellers visit Plas Newydd, Llangollen. If enquiring minds would like to know what Sarah and Eleanor were like – here’s the opportunity to find out, from those who meet (or heard about) them.

“Walked this morning to Plas Newydd…”

In the 1950s Emily Kimborough wrote about her travels to Wales in the book And A Right Good Crew. Emily & Co. were in good company, for the Ladies of Llangollen had many, many visitors at their home Plas Newydd.

The main impetus for establishing this web presence for the ladies was to winnow out fact from fiction, and how better to do that than present actual words from people who met them…

I’m still building back the site since the old website was turned into this blog, so it’s with great applause that I welcome Michael and Liz as contributors! A new, ongoing “series” of comments will be making their appearance. Tonight I unveil the 1780s and half of the 1790s — the earliest comments about Sarah Ponsonby and Eleanor Butler. Some are from published sources, others have been transcribed from manuscript sources. Further additions are always welcome!

Hamwood Papers, copy of book for sale

For those interested in obtaining a copy the fabulous publication, The Hamwood Papers of the Ladies of Llangollen and Caroline Hamilton (1930), edited by Mrs Bell:

nice First Edition copy of THE HAMWOOD PAPERS OF THE LADIES OF LLANGOLLEN AND CAROLINE HAMILTON  for sale.  The book is missing its dust cover but has no damage and is in good condition.  If interested please contact me for further details via the following email: jejclarke [at] hotmail [dot] com.

Jim found the text while sorting through relatives’ books, doesn’t have room for it himself, and would like to see this copy go to a good home (rather than sit on a bookshop shelf).

If you’ve never heard about The Hamwood Papers, feel free to post a comment (below) asking about the book’s contents. A “must have” for anyone interested in the lives of Sarah Ponsonby and Eleanor Butler; useful also for anyone interest in this period (late 18th, early 19th century) in British and even Irish history.