Anna Maria ALSTON [93]

  General Notes:

Entry in the Alston Law Practice Diary
"My son William went to Mr Alefounders School - My daur Anna Maria went there to learn to write & my daur Harriot went to Mrs Bachlors? School all of them on the 22nd day of June 1778"
Manor of Weeley ESS Court Records 1696-1793.
Both Thomas Alefounder & Samuel Alston were involved with the Manor of Weeley ESS.

Anna was unmarried.

Inscribed on an Altar Tomb in St Mary's Churchyard Edwardstone " In memory of Anna Maria Alston who departed this life July 26 1815 aged 46 years".

  Research Notes:

Image Courtesy Mike Burn - 2014

  Other Records

1. Anna Maria Alston, 1780.
Anna's work book dated 15 Feb 1780
Bury Archive, Alston HA541/1/57

Print printed for Robt Sayer in Fleet St - the researcher cannot trace the subject, which appers to be a surrender by a Roman Legion ?

Robert Sayer (1725\endash 1794) was a leading publisher and seller of prints, maps and maritime charts in Georgian Britain. He was based near the Golden Buck on Fleet Street in London.
Family
His brother James married the widowed Mary Overton, daughter-in-law of John Overton the printseller. Sayer became her assistant, being called manager of the Golden Buck by 1748, and in this way gradually took over the existing Overton business as a going concern.[2] He moved into atlases and other cartographic works, publishing the Mundane System (1774) of Samuel Dunn and the famous North American Pilot (1775), which included important charts made by the great circumnavigator and explorer Captain James Cook.[3]
Career
Sayer organised the engraving of paintings by some leading artists of the day, most importantly Johan Zoffany RA, and sold prints from the engravings. In this way he helped to secure Zoffany's international reputation. Sayer and the artist became longstanding friends as well as business associates. In 1781 Zoffany painted Robert Sayer in an important 'conversation piece'. The Sayer Family of Richmond depicts Robert Sayer, his son, James, from his first marriage, and his second wife, Alice Longfield (née Tilson). Behind the family group is the substantial villa on Richmond Hill overlooking the River Thames, built for Sayer between 1777 and 1780 to the designs of William Eves, a little-known architect and property developer. From 1794, after Robert Sayer's death, the house was the country residence for three years of the Duke of Clarence (later King William IV) and Mrs Jordan, and their three eldest (of ten) children. The third child was born at the house. Having fallen into disrepair, the house was demolished in 1970 when it was unknown that it had been built for Sayer and that it had subsequently been the home of a future king of Great Britain.

2. Anna Maria Alston: Letter to her Brother (unidentified), 8 Sep 1800, Melford SFK.
Dear Brother
As my mother continues much in the same state, she has at last concluded to go to Aldbro*, next Saturday is the day fixed Mackeran has long wished her to try the sea air? she told him when they did they did not to know what . . . . . with a patient they always advised . . . . . change, he said very true, but the sea. . . . . is very bracing, which was what she wanted. Medicine certainly has lost its effect Dolly (?) and myself will accompany my mother Harriett will continue at Melford to keep the beds aired. We have fixed lodgings at L1 1d per week a parlour, to bedded rooms, and kitchen, a servant at four shillings a week and all board . . . . . her, we take our linen, and plate, my mother will thank you to send her twenty pounds if you can send I am . . . . . it she would like to have part of it in cash if you send it by the post she would like small banknotes.
We hope you are all of you quite well. I had a letter from town the other day they were all of them quite well, and intended spending a few days at Mortes. . . . . Dawson I hear is going to be be married to one of Paxton's. All unite in kind love remains? are yrs Sincerely
A. M. Alston
Melford September 8, 1800
Written on two sides of a sheet with note "8th Sept Maria"
* Possibly Aldeburgh Suffolk
Original in the possession of Julia Redman, part missing. 1999 copy on Fenn file 2007

3. Anna Maria Alston: Letter to her Brother (Probably George), 15 Oct 1800, Melford SFK.
Dear Brother
I suppose you have heard of the melancholy event that has taken place in town I had a letter from Miss Downing this morning who says that Mary is really as well as they can expect we know nothing about the funeral as it is to melancholy a subject for Miss D to write about - Mrs M. . . . . will be very happy to see you as soon as you can make it convenient to come she wishes very much to know about her own affairs D L(?) all likewise be very happy to see my sister! We have a bed ready aired for you
All unite in kind love
Yrs sincerely (?)
A. M. A
Melford Wednesday Morning
Mother is better for her Aldbro* journey
Note on letter "15 Octb Alston A in rather shaky writing probably George Alston's, also note by Alston Fenn "From Anna Maria Alston to her brother George referring to the death of her brother-in-law George Downing who died on the ninth of October 1800 See Table A9"
* Possibly Aldeburgh Suffolk
Original in the possession of Julia Redman 1999 copy on Fenn file 2007

4. Anna Maria Alston: Will, 12 Mar 1811, Nayland SFK.
The Will of Anna Maria Alston
12 March 1811
This is the last Will and Testament of me Anna Maria Alston of Stoke next Nayland in the County of Suffolk Spinster.
I give and bequeath unto my dear sister Sarah Alston to and for her own use and disposal all singular all my personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of every nature or kind she paying thereout of my just debts in funeral and testamentary expenses and I hereby appoint my said sister Sarah sole executorix of this my will and revoking all other wills by me at any . . . . . . . . . . made.
In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this twelfth day of March in the years of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eleven.
Anna Maria Alston. Signed sealed published and ordered by me said executrix as and for the last will and testament in the presense of us - Mary Downing and Sarah Leggett.
Proved at London the 7th August 1815 before the Judge by said Sarah Alston spinster the sister of the sole executrix to whom administration was granted having been sworn by court duly to admin.
Prob. 11/1511.
Transcribed by Susan Perrett.