Catherine Mary DOWNING [97]

   Cause of her death was weak heart.

  General Notes:

Witness's to their marriage were Mary Downing and George Alston.
Ref Sudbury 4a 546 BDM

By the permission of the Bishop of Sodor and Mann.
There will be a
BAZZAR
At Horkesley Rectory.
On Friday the 22nd of September.
In aid of Leven Heath Chapel.
Any contributions of articles for sale will be thankfully received by the following ladies -
Lady Rowling, Tendring Hall.
Mrs Liveing, Nayland.
. . . . .
Ref: Ipswich Journal August 26, 1837.

Tithe Apportionment:
Owner: Mrs Catherine Mary Liveing. Occupier: John Davy. Parish of Westhall SFK. 16 May 1841. Plan in 3 Pts .185b - Pt of Brambles pasture 1a 0r 6p. 186 - The Glebe Piece arable 1a 3r 17p 187 - Church Hill arable 6a 2r 14p Tithe: Vicar L3 18s 5d, Impropriator L17 5s 11d IR 29/33/446, 30 December 1865.
Ref: The Genealogist.

Tithe Apportionment:
Owner: Mrs Catherine Mary Liveing. Occupier: John & Emily Davy. Parish of Westhall SFK. 16 May 1841. Plan in 16 Pts 135 - 150, arable & pasture 82a 2r 20p. Tithe: Vicar L6 9s 6d, Impropriators L17 0s 0d
Ref: The Genealogist. IR 29/33/446

Catherine endured great tragedy in the years 1843 and 1844 with the death of her husband, 10 Mar 1843, her daughter Fanny 24 Apr 1843, and daughter Sarah 22 Feb 1844.

Catherine is recorded as giving £1 to the Asylum for Idiots, Colchester, on March 19, 1858.
Ref: Precis Ipswich Journal 27 March 1858.

Catherine lived at one time with her mother at "Laurels" Polstead St, Stoke by Nayland. After her husbands death Catherine moved to Thorington St (Stoke).

Deaths.
Liveing - 31st ult., at Cambridge, Catherine Mary widow of Edward Liveing, Esq., of Nayland in this county, aged 74.
Ref Ipswich Journal Saturday Nov 9 1872.

Death ref Dec quarter 1872 aged 74 Cambridge 3b 303 BDM

Catherine is buried in the family grave under the Nayland Church East Window.

The Will and two Codicils of Catherine Mary Liveing formerly of 52 Queen Anne St Cavendish Sq MDX but late of Cambridge CAM Widow who died 31 Oct 1872 at Cambridge proved 18 Jan 1873 at the Principle Registry by George Downing Liveing of Cambridge University Prof of Chemistry, Edward Liveing of 52 Queen Anne St MDX and Robert Liveing M.D. of 11 Manchester Sq MDX sons three of the Executors at under L3000. Resworn Nov 1873 at under L4000.

Sale by Auction.
Valuable Freehold Farms
Messrs Lenny and Smith, instructed by the trustees under the Will of the late Mrs C. M. Liveing, offer at auction in the month of June, two compact and excellent farms in Westhall, and Brampton, near the Estates of the right Honourable the Earl of Stradbrook, in the occupation of Mr T. G. Davy, containing together about 216 acres.
Also a desirable farm at Crowfield, surrounded by estates of the trustees of the late Sir W. F. and Sir George Brook-Middleton in the occupation of Mr S. Shirman, containing 107 acres.
Particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained of Messrs Beaumont, Thompson and Beaumont, solicitors, 23, Lincolns Inn Fields, London, and the auctioneer's Halesworth.
Ref: Precis from Ipswich Journal 19 April 1873

Sale by Auction
Valuable Freehold Farms
At Brampton a short distance from a railway station, 3 miles from Halesworth and six from Beccles and Southwold.
Messrs Lenny and Smith, instructed by the trustees under the Will of the late Mrs C. M. Liveing, offer at auction at the Angel Hotel Halesworth, on Monday, June 23 at Four for Five o'clock precisely, in one lot, two valuable farms with suitable dwelling houses and buildings and 216 acres 3r 31p of sound deep soil arable and excellent pastureland underlease to Mr John G. Davy, for a term of which 10 years will be unexpired at Middlemas next, at the moderate rental of L341 per annum.
The property is entirely free hold and chiefly land tax redeemed.
Vendors solicitors, Messrs Beaumont and Co., 23 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London W. C.
Ref: Precis from Ipswich Journal May 4th 1873.

Miniature of Catherine as a child with E L Fenn Auckland NZ 1998.
Edward H T Liveing wrote of it (item 15) in his book on the family relics, as follows:
Portrait of my grandmother C M Downing as a child in black frame and oval gilt mount, blue background red hair and pink ribbons to cap. For some reason this was sent to Alston Fenn by Robert H T Liveing see note by Robert in the Red Book, and letter of receipt by A Alston Fenn 13 Jan 1952.

  Research Notes:

Alternative birth date 6 Mar 1798?

See 4 letters written to Catherine 1815 - 1819 by Anna Nottage [22061]

An unsourced slip of paper reads "The Fripps are related to us on the Downings side - my mother and Grandmama Downing used to go every alternate year to visit the Bristol cousins some of whom were Tripps - They travelled in fear of highwaymen" see picture file.

Thomas Harold Fenn always referred to Catherine as Aunt although she was his wifes first cousin

Liveing Archive IMG 2818 - 2836 catalogues copies of letters between George & Bridget Downing 1750 and other Downing and Liveing Letters.

Georgie Holtevans wrote about Thorington House - 2021.
My father Michael Chapman and mother bought the house in 1962 for their large family of 5 children from a lady called Enid York who downsized to another house in Thorington Street ( Meadow cottage ). My brother who inherited it sold it in 2012 having added a large extension . My parents put in a swimming pool and tennis court and we had ponies in the stables when growing up. This was converted into an annexe for my parents in their old age when my brother left London with his wife to live there . At some stage during its history a small single storey extension was built to the right of the house to make a larger drawing room . The drive was originally accessed from the main road and my father changed it to the side of the house primarily for safety reasons. I will dig out some old photos of the house and stables. I seem to remember my father telling me that Thorington Street originally had thirteen houses in it so originally it could have been called Thirteen Street . I will ask my siblings if they remember this story too and for any other anecdotes. I am not aware of a Thorington Cottage . Our family did own Danbury Cottage in the village but this is not connected in any way. We sold that too . I believe Thorington House did belong to the Tendring Hall estate in bygone days and lived in by the farmer who farmed the surrounding land but I may be wrong on that .

  Other Records

1. Catherine Mary Downing: Entry from Downing family bible, 1798, Hatton Garden London.
Catharine Mary daughter of George Downing barrister-at-law and Mary Alston was born in Hatton Garden on Easter Sunday the 8th day of April 1798 one o'clock in the forenoon. Was privately baptised by the Rev Mr Watkins curate of St Andrews on the evening of the above mentioned day and was admitted into church by her grandfather the Rev George Downing on 12th May 1798. Lancelot Shadwell Esq of Lincoln's Inn standing godfather, her godmothers Mary Alston and Katharine Downing godmothers.
This leaf I removed from my grandmother's old family Bible which was rather dilapidated on Oct 25, 1923 when I was about to leave my house. The writing is that of my grandfather
G. D. Liveing
the Pightle Cambridge
Ref: Alstoniana Pg 402B

Extract from the family register of Mrs Catherine Mary Liveing of Stoke by Nayland in the County of Suffolk.
Mary Kate Liveing daughter of Edward Liveing and Catherine Mary his wife was born on the ninth day of July
A.D. 1822 and baptised in the parish church of Nayland Suffolk August 14, 1822.
Frances Liveing born December 26, 1823 and baptised January 28, 1824.
Sarah Ann Liveing born December 14, 1825 and baptised January 11, 1826.
George Downing Liveing born 21 December 1827 and baptised.

Extract from the family register of Mrs Catherine Mary Liveing of Stoke by Nayland in the County of Suffolk made this 17th day of August 1858 by me.
C M Torlesse.
Vicar & officiating Minister of Stoke by Nayland.
The date of the baptism of George Downing Liveing is not inserted in this register.
C M Torlesse.

2. Letter by her grandmother Catherine D, & Aunt Frances E,: About her christening, 13 May 1798, Hatton Garden London.
Liveing Archive 161a-b LT13
Image 158a is an envelope from a later date which says "Mrs D & FED to Catherine describing christening of C M Downing Hatton Garden May 13 1798" This leter defaced with part disconnected paragraphs. Interesting description of the food at a Christening dinner.

Hatton Garden
May 13, 1798
A very acceptable & welcome Letter is this moment come to hand from my precious Sisters & our Dear Father and Mother desire me to tell them it came in the exact time oh what mercies are bestowed upon us! indeed my dear Catherine the ..hospect [?] of the two past years calls forth gratitude & praise to our gracious God, & I am able to conform the same good account the two last letters have transmitted. I must not let this letter go without one line to my Sweet Children to thank them for their truly welcome letters & to tell them I love them very tenderly. Your dear sister will tell you all particulars I will only tell you that your niece is a sweet babe; & that ye Dear Father Mrs Alston Mrs G & myself went on Friday to Kensington to see Mrs Johnson, & appointed ye to dine here next Tuesday Pray remember us properly & kindly to all our Friends by Name. I trust my sweet Loves think of me, & obey my desires in the injunctions I gave them. May my much Loved Catherine & Marie be ever preserved & Blessed abundantly so earnestly wishes & praise their ever affectionate Mother C. D.

Most gladly did I give the pen into the hands of our precious Mother knowing well how pleasant it would be to see her writing, I seem to have so much to say I know not where to begin but as Saturday last was the most interesting day to us all, that shall have the first place
(Page 2)

at two o'clock came Mr B as he said he would, to drink chocolate with the ladies, at three Grand Mama D & Mr B in his chariot - Grand Papa, with Mrs Alston & the two aunts in a Hackney Coach proceeded to church Papa walking on foot, we all sat in the pew next to that which belongs to Mr Barton.
⁺My pretty Dears, I cannot forbear snatching this out of your dear sisters hands, just to say, how heartily I love you, how sincerely I pray for your welfare, temporal and spiritual, and how earnestly I long to see you. God bless & preserve you both, now & ever.^{+
if you recollect it, we arrived a little before prayers, which were read by Mr Watkins, nearly in the middle of which the precious infant arrived in a Sedan Chair with the Nurse but we did not see her pretty face till we went down the middle aisle to the Font & all entering within the Rails my dearest Father taking the book began the Baptismal Service & went through much better than we all expected though it affected him greatly but indeed my loves my eyes never beheld so interesting a spectacle as that of our dear Father with his Infant Grand child in his arms I was forced to muster up all my resolution, while he was thus presenting the unconscious Babe in the Temple smiling in his face [?] your own minds will anticipate the thoughts which occupied my mind, & your heartfelt prayers I know joined ours for this new member of that Dear Family which may God ever bless, she seems so much a part of us that I sometimes think I can't not feel more if I had had a child of my own, but as you have
(Page 3)}
not yet seen the dear love, you will perhaps call me a doting aunt & so I will quit the subject tell you do, she is a Downing all over indeed she is, but to return - after the service was ended (& a very solemn one it appeared to me) we all returned in the order as before observed, I should hear mentioned that little Miss was attended by two footman [?] as soon as we came in we had the pleasure of passing her in the dining room for a short time & of hearing the praises of her beauty from two of the Company who by this time were arrived. Mr Broughton Mr Noyle who with Mr Baldwin were the only company every body seemed in good humour & pleasant, dinner between four and five at top Haddocks bottom leg of lamb boiled & loyn fryed, Harrico [?] mutton, fryed kidneys, patties, little puddings, garden stuff & with sweetmeats in brittle with the Epergne [?] second course Boiled pidgeon at top roast turkey at bottom, asparagus, brocoli, jelly, blancmange, cheescakes & puffs.
(In a different quill & hand?) Just here the Lady called me off to dress her [?] to go with .... page cut off.
(Top page 1)
To Mr Andrews yesterday morning, evening to Long Acre Mr Cecil preached. Sis I believe I did not say can't not go [?] either Sat or yesterday because of weather [?] The James Shlos in Town and are to be today in St James Square

3. Catherine Mary Downing: Marriage Settlement Account, 7 Jul 1821.
Without details of the terms of the marriage settlement by the family of Catherine Downing it is not possible to ascertain what these accounts relate to in terms of the value of the settlement.
However while it included a small inheritence from her deceased husband, at her death she had a substantial estate assesed at under £4000

4. Census: England, 7 Jun 1841, Bures St Nayland SFK. Catherine is described as aged 40 not born SFK

5. Letter from Francis F Knottesford: To Catherine Maria Liveing nee Downing of Nayland SFK, 14 Mar 1843, Alveston WAR.
Liveing Archive Knottesford 03

Written at the top of the letter: Death of Edward Liveing F.F.K. to C.M.L.

Alveston Manor
March 14th 1843

"He is a Father of the fatherless, & defender of the cause of the widow." "Leave thy fatherless children (to my care) & let thy widows trust in me." Such are the gracious declarations of Him, who is full of mercy & loving-kindness; who doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men; & who, tho' he may sometimes see fit to chasten his own dear servants, yet will never leave them nor forsake them. To this gracious & almighty Being I must commend you, my very dear niece, for He is the Father of Mercies & the God of all consolation; & from Him alone can substantial comfort flow under such a bereavement as that you are now called to experience. Miserable comforters are we all, when compared with Him whose consolations are neither few nor small: who can speak to the heart, & apply with certain effect a suitable medicine for every wound; for He hath said, I kill & I make alive, I wound & I heal¹. He will be Husband, Father, Friend, yea all in all to them who cast their care upon Him, seeing He careth for them. And whereas we might think that a Being so highly exalted & by nature impassible, could not in any way participate in
(page 2)
sorrows from which he is totally exempt; he has provided a strong consolation in the assurance we have, that as God manifested in the flesh, he is touched with a feeling for our infirmities, having in his own person borne our griefs & carried our sorrows; & having been in all points tempted & tried like as we are, is made experimentally capable of compassion, & both able & willing to succour those who are tempted; & in all our afflictions is himself afflicted. He who has removed the greater evil will surely support us under the less. He has borne our sins for us; surely therefore he will carry or help us to carry our sorrows, those sorrows which are the consequence of sin, & to which we are still exposed, tho' we enjoy the blessedness of those whose unrighteousness is forgiven & whose sin is covered. Happy indeed may we think ourselves, if we have reason to believe that the heaviest burden of all is removed; for in that case, as we are Christ's, so may we be assured that all things are ours, & shall turn to our profit, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come: whatever happens to us in the course of God's providential dispensation shall work together for our goode [sic], & tend to the advancement of our best & lasting interests. What good & necessary thing will he withhold from us, who spared not his own Son, but gave him up for us, that we might obtain salvation thro' him: & what shall we withhold from him, who has bestowed such an unspeakable gift upon us, & with him all things we enjoy & possess, shall we not be ready to surrender all again to him, when he recalls any of his gifts, or rather loans, even tho' they be most dear & precious to us, as Abraham did when he stretched out his own hand to sacrifice his Isaac. You are now called on
(page 3)
to surrender the dearest object of your affection, but you are not required, as he was, to be the instrument of separation. No, herein his trial & faith exceeded all that we can experience. Our merciful Father with his own hand removes his blessings; and that gently & gradually, & as in your case, with the well grounded conviction, as he departed in the faith & fear of Christ, relying on his atonement for pardon & justification & having been fruitful in all good works, that he removed your Beloved from a world of pain & sorrow, to a state of glory & endless felicity, for which, abstractedly speaking, we have abundant reason to yield him our humble & hearty thanks. But nature will feel & ought to feel, or we should be inhuman & lose the benefit of these trying dispensations. We must neither despise the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when we are rebuked of him; our blessed Saviour exhibited in his humanity the tender feelings of nature, when he wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus, and thereby consecrated the tear (sic) of sensibility. But we must not be cast down, as tho' we had lost our all, while Christ is present with us, & able to supply every loss; neither must we sorrow as those who are without hope for those who die in the Lord; rather let us strive more earnestly to follow them who thro' faith & patience now inherit the promises, that we may join them hereafter in that blissful region, where parting will be known no more, but we shall ever be with the Lord, rejoicing & triumphing in his salvation. Be assured, my dear niece, we feel deeply for you & all your amiable family & shall be thankful to hear of you, thro' some kind hand, & also the time of interment. We doubt not but that according to your day so will your strength be², and that underneath are placed the everlasting arms. I have been so shocked by the mourning intelligence just received that I fear I have
(page 4)
written very incoherently, but I was desirous of immediately expressing our sincere sympathy & condolence on this unlooked for event. I fully persuaded myself that the friend & relative, whom I highly valued, & with every one who knew him, justly esteemed, would have been spared to his afflicted family, and been longer continued a blessing, as he has been in an eminent degree to the surrounding neighbourhood, who I am sure must sensibly feel their irreparable loss. But He who doeth all things well, has ordered otherwise; & who shall say unto Him, what doest Thou? Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? He took him, when he saw it would be most for his own glory & his servant's profit. We must be dumb & not open our mouths, for He has done it, & that is enough to satisfy us of the wisdom, & love & mercy of the dispensation. There we must rest, & only in so doing shall we find rest & comfort to our burdened & sorrowful spirits. But I am aware that another breach may soon be made. Well: be not discouraged, only believe & trust in the same almighty arm for support & comfort. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven they shall not overwhelm thee³. He maketh sore & bindeth up; He woundeth & his hands make whole. God moves in a mysterious way, but always in the right way, tho' we may not always see the reasons for his dealings with us. Should it be his will also to remove our much loved cousin, you may be thankful that one most nearly concerned is spared the grief of separation here, & not only so, but is resting in Abraham's bosom, ready with joy that will never fade to await her entrance into that blest abode, where there shall be no more sickness, sorrow, pain, or death, but glory & felicity unspeakable everlasting. Presenting kind comforts to Mr Henry Liveing, with thanks for his letter. All here write in earnest prayer that every needful help & strength may be imparted to you & your bereaved family, with, my dear niece, your faithful and affectionate friend & uncle,
F. Fortescue Knottesford

Your aunt will write soon.
Footnotes:
1. Deuteronomy, chapter 32, verse 39.
2. Deuteronomy, 33.25.
3. Job, 5.19.
Transcribed by Dr Stanley Lapidge.

6. Letter to Catherine: from Margaretta Nottidge [26742], 26 Feb 1844, Midgham Newbury.
Liveing Archive IMG. 2548 - 2552.
Written on news of the death of Catherine's daughter Sarah Anne Liveing 22 Feb 1844

My dearest Catherine
The newspaper of this morning has conveyed to us the melancholy intelligence of the death of your precious Sarah Anne - I had heard of her growing weaker & weaker but little did I think your trial was so near at hand - dearest friend you know how truly I always sympathise with you, & from the sincere affection I feel for you & all belonging to you, I cannot explain from writing to express how truly we feel, & how much we think of you & shall pray that God will come as he has in greater troubles enable you by his mighty help to submit as humbly and patiently to His Holy Will as you have ever done - I can picture you to myself though grieving for your loss, yet
(Page 2)
rejoicing in her joy, removed in mercy from the pain & sorrow all must encounter in a greater or less degree during our sojourn on earth - for some time past I have thought of writing to ask particulars about the health of the dear departed one but I know what a trouble it is in times of sickness to have to write & as I could hear through the Sadlers & Colchester sometimes I have waited much how but lest? as much though we are unfortunately separated so far you are never forgotten or less valued by your sincere friend at Midgham - at this painful period I will not say anything about your coming with some of your family to visit Midgham for a little change, but you must remember what delight & comfort
(Page 3)
it would be when you could feel equal to leave home to indulge us with your company which will be so enjoyed by myself & good Tom - our precious darling is quite well & grown fast a great . . . . . - she is so healthy thank God & and a most sensible affectionate child - what a treasure she is I often feel she is too great a one to be lent to me long - do not for the present think of troubling yourself to write to me I shall be sure to hear of you through some of my friends - my dear husband's mother is very dangerously ill & I do not expect she will live much longer - my own beloved
(Page 4)
parents & all the rest of my family were well when I last heard - as my tooth is aching very much I will only add my dear Tom's & my own dear love to fondly & . . . . . believe me always my beloved Catherine with our sympathy
your sincere and affectionate
Margaretta Fowke
Midgham
Newbury Feb 26th 1844

Written in the flap of the envelpoe.
My letter is written by candlelight and my pen and ink is very bad but I have been too happy to change these - I shall not expect any of you to write at present - you have my constant prayers and best wishes

7. Letter to Catherine: from Margaretta Nottidge [26742], 26 Mar 1844, Midgham.
Liveing Archive IMG. 2543 - 2547.
Written following the death of Catherine's daughter Sarah Anne Liveing on 22 Feb 1844

Midgham
March 26th
I know my dear Catherine will not object to receiving a few more lines from her old friend May - I have little to communicate but I want you to know how much I appreciated your kindness in writing to me when my assertion? Must have been painful to your feelings I did feel it most kind and it afforded us no small degree of comfort to find your fortitude & resignation & patients keep pace with your more than momentous trials "God will never leave you or forsake you" my good amiable Catherine - it is delightful to know you are enabled to bow with submission to his Will through faith in your saviour which we are all bound to do & yet how difficult it is not to repine - which you have never done - your depended treasures we have for reason on to hope one removed from pain & sorrow, to find?
(Page 2)
life & joy unspeakable - you hinted dearest Kate you had some cause for anxiety for some other precious members of your dear family, most earnestly do I pray it may be unfounded & that I may soon have the happiness of hearing it - I hear of you sometimes through Jane Anne Inglis, who is intimate with your friends the Fearon's - my dearest husband is gone into Essex in consequence of the death of his mother which event took place on Thursday last - she had been gradually declining for some time her suffering was not great, she was sensible to the last, resigned & patient which affords the greatest consolation to her children under so severe a trail - Poor Mary & Charlotte will miss her sadly, she was to them a most kind good parent - out of all Mrs Fowkes large family
(Page 3)
I believe 12, sons only remain, my dear, Tom, Villers, & the two first - you will rejoice I know to hear that my beloved parents are well - dear Tom is staying with them his mother's house being full - the funeral takes place on Thursday, & I do not expect to see him back till Monday, he left me on Saturday - you can imagine I feel lonely without him notwithstanding I have a sweet little interesting companion I wish you could see what a healthy happy dear it is- Midgham air I am sure is remarkably healthy my health has improved wonderfully since I came notwithstanding my love for old Essex -
How dreadful are the accounts we read of the fires in Suffolk and Essex surely the punishment of incendiary fires ought at least to be hanging what gratification it can be to the filthy wretches who can commit such a wretched deed I cannot understand. What a dreadful fire was the one
(Page 4)
at Braintree 19 cottages destroyed & all the poor families at present houseless - the world seems to grow more wicked I ought to say it's inhabitants - you know I dare say that dear George has bought a house at Tonbridge & going to reside there where there is an excellent school for his sons, & the girls can have the benefits of good Masters I am so glad he has given up Barking? They have lately discovered an old & confidential clarke (as was believed by everyone, & careful Mr Simpson has been in the concern upwards I believe a 40 years) has turned out a rogue & robbed the firm to a large amount of course dear George will share in the loss - I do not know that I am at liberty to mention these particulars but with you they are safe - I am sure no fault can be attributed to dear honourable George although I know it must vex him.
Poor Mrs Inglis suffers extremely from nervous depression I grieve to think of her dear thing - all was well when I last heard from home the . . . . . had . . . . . Believe me dearest Catherine with truest affection to all yr . . . . yr most attached friend M Fowke -

8. Census: England, 30 Mar 1851, 14 The Green Camberwell Dulwich SRY.
Catherine is wrongly recorded as Catherine L Fenn sister-in-law to Harriet Fenn (nee Liveing) widow aged 52 born Holbom MDX

9. Letter Catherine to son Edward, 18 May c1853.
Liveing Archive: Image Letter 8a & 8b, Year estimated from letter contents

Stoke. May 18^th
c1853
My dear Edward
I am often worried about your being so constantly confined to the hospital & and fully occupied besides; but I have seen Fanny for a few minutes since she returned from London, & and she tells me, you have promised her to resign the appointment if you find it injurious to your health which is a comfort to me. You probably know, Emily Holland was obliged to return to Brighton this week; & consequently Harriet could not go to Shipley as had been arranged: she is now at Denmark Hill I suppose & will most probably come home the beginning of next week. Last Saturday, your
Over/
Uncle & Aunt Charles came to Feering, to see Mrs Arnold who was considered worse than usual, but I have heard nothing since.
I have had a very melancholy letter from your Uncle Henry, who tells me he is not well enough to come here for change for four days having had a considerable discharge of blood from the bowels which has much weakened him but that he is better, & under the care of Dr Hall who has given him remedies to stop this effusion he thinks he has lost two stone in weight since I saw him & is afraid to move about much, for fear of a recurrence of the bleeding - I wish he would give up his clerical duties for a time, & take proper rest but unfortunately a Confirmation takes place at Sunbury? on the 14^th of next month. I know you can't see after him now: & his spirits seem very low.
Over/
Mary heard from Robert yesterday he cannot accompany her into Yorkshire, until the 12^th of June, as his examination begins on the 7^th. Marion Corsellis, who is now at Colchester, will I believe return with them to Giggleswick. Anna has had a letter from Betty, she & John were at Copford last week for a few days: & she considers your Aunt Ambrose's mind as harassed & worried about poor Tom's illness & death as when in London I would go & stay with her, if I had a suitable servant to leave at home, but I have not yet succeeded in hiring a Cook which is very troublesome. I hope the Hinchcliffs will inhabit the Nayland cottage for two months: if I can get some furniture put in at a moderate charge - Mrs H. cannot walk far, & requires to be near a Church, & all the farmhouses around are situated at a distance - nor can I find any suitable lodgings for them elsewhere. I find Tom has been to see
Over/
you in your rooms. I doubt he will not like the Nayland abode. I am in correspondence with Miss Emerton, a lady at Oxford, who has been recommended to me as a Governefs by Mifs Worley, an intimate friend of dear Miss Stratford's & I think it probable she will come to us the beginning of next month - to have a stranger in the family, will at first be extremely disagreeable to us all, but I cannot bring my mind to send little Ellen to School, as all her sisters have been educated at home - Charlotte Waylen, went to the Margate Infirmary yesterday: Miss Beaumont kindly met her at Shoreditch & took care of her poor child.
James's knee is more painful & worse altogether than when you were here but he has not tried a blister, as Mrs Tweed told him, he must give quite up if he had one, & that it would confine him a long while, but I think he will be obliged to do so soon.
Over/
I do not recollect any thing else to tell you about ourselves. Accept our kind love, & believe me your very affec^te
Mother,
Cath: M. Liveing

10. Letter to Catherine: from an unidentified friend Sarah Hinchcliff, 2 Feb 1860, London.
Liveing Archive 46a-c LT5
postmarked London February 2 60
Note Mrs Hinchcliff to Mrs Liveing
Written on 3 half sheets (one cross hatched) both sides of one piece of paper

Feb 2 Lee (1860)

My dearest Kate,
We rejoiced to think that you were pretty well when you wrote, and safely on your way so far towards dear Home, longing for you with all its in endearing belongings and there I hope you are now, well enough to get through your share of the Torlesse wedding. To us, the treat was indeed great to us all 3, of our meeting, short as it was, only to short, and it is
Page 2
a comfort to have chatted over "auld lang syne" and present and future - I only wish that you had not sustained such a heavy money loss, and that John had been spared the attack of indigestion which made us rather …… for the moment feeling it might have lasted longer --- I regret to find that Dr Todd is amongst the Times List deaths fearing your dear Edward may have lost a friend - my sincerely affect love To your dear girls who will ever be dear to me . . . . . . . me affectionately yours
Sarah Hinchcliff
I hope that dear Anna may soon receive comfortable Tidings from Capt H Matilda and Henry come to us tomorrow
Yours very affectionately and deeply attached
Sarah Hinchcliff
what more can I add Dear old friend but my signature to the love which half a century has ripened for eternity! in common parlance. I did fully share in all my dear sisters gretification (sic) on your visit. I know and feel you trust in the sincerity of yr . . . . . Chum.
EPC
Addressed:
Mrs Liveing
Stoke
near Colchester
Essex

Transcribed E L Fenn 2015

11. Census: England, 8 Apr 1861, Thorington St Stoke by Nayland SFK. Catherine is described as head of house a widow aged 62 proprietor of houses and land born St Andrews Holborn LON

12. Letter Catherine: to her son George, 27 Nov 1865, 52 Queen Anne St W London.
Liveing Archive: Images IMG 3628 - 3630
Embossed at top of page.
Parkin and Gotto
London

52 Queen Anne St W.
November 27, 1865.
My dear George
I am sure you will be glad to know, that the difficulties attending the disposal of my property, have been got over at last, with the help of a Counsellors opinion about our dear Ellen's share she having been of age at the time of her death without having made a will. I executed mine at Mr Beaumont's office, on Saturday last - he previously gave me a note to read which he had received from your Uncle Henry in which he says, he had read the draft for my Will most carefully three times and that he thought it, a most equitable disposition of my estate, in which the interest of every child is equally considered, so I trust it will prove such, without any oversights in it and that it is made as your good Father would have desired.
Thank Kate for her last letter, it is very good of her to write when she has so much to attend to. How vexatious those workmen were, to go their own way about the balustrade, and not attend to your plan it must have worn out all your patience. I am glad your trees escaped the gales this time. I hope I shall not need any of Mr Davy's rent until Xmas but it is satisfactory to know you have received it.
My attack of indigestion has nearly left me - Charlotte has taken cold again, she seems very susceptible of it this winter, and Harriet less so. I will write to Kate soon and with our united love to you both, believe me,
Your very affectionate mother,
Cath M Liveing.
Note in red pencil - My mother as to her Will 1865

13. Letter to Catherine Liveing nee Downing: from an unidentified friend Eliz Parish, 1870, Hastings.
Liveing Archive 47a-d LT5

Postmarked Hastings AU 8 70
Noted: Mrs Parish to CML
Written on 4 half sheets both sides of one piece of paper

Silver Hill Terrace
My dear old friend
I am very sorry to hear of your illness, whilst at Cambridge, such attacks, must leave you very weak, and it is a comfort to hear you are again close to My old friend Robert and his brother in Queen Anne St their medical care will I trust soon restore your lost strength
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and in such an airy part of London I should think London cannot be unhealthy - and with two sons close at hand I am rather surprised that you are meditating a change - before the winter - but I ought not perhaps to express any opinion on the subject - I have not felt the heat of the weather oppressive - partly I believe from staying at home and never exposing myself to the
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sun, or going out before the afternoon. My brother and his family are all returned from Suary - after various excursions in the county - they left London after two months - my brother came first with Arthur who had recovered from the whooping cough and I think my nieces are looking very well. Their letters when in Town were very amusing, and with my dear brothers I was never allowed to be dull.
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the Thos Hubbard's have been in Normandy at Le Havre the last month and are now dispersing having said home some of the children to Newbury. This dreadful war will bring home many of the English excursionists - and I hope St Leonards houses will be taken at present this place is unusually empty
Mrs Wm Turner has been here a month in lodgings on the marina - she is almost blind, and is an old friend and connection of the Turners
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I met Mr Wilson accidentally his is just returned from Suffolk and told me he had been at Polstead and Hadley and had seen the "Hall" which is almost come to an end -Mr Tynell/ Tyrrell ?- doing nothing - as the estate does not revert to him - I was surprised to hear of Miss Rowley being still alive at 82 - and still flourishing at Holbeeks/ Holbecks?
With kind love to yr daughters
Believe me
Dear old friend yrs most afftely
Eliz Parish.

Addressed.
Mrs Liveing
52 Queen Anne Street
Cavendish Square
London

Transcribed E L Fenn 2015

14. Letter Catherine to her son Ned, May 6th.
Liveing Archive: Letter 10 a & 10b
Stoke May 6^th
My dear Ned
Anna has made a most diligent search for your green card but I am sorry to say without succefs
I think Mary may be able to bring your little case of bottles, & also your microscope to London, the beginning of next week, as she hopes to be
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able to come to Camberwell then, for she cannot get rid of the intermittent pain in her face, and thinks the change might do her good - Anna is also poorly: from indigestion I believe, or something of the sort; Mr Knottesford has invited them to Alveston on the 16^th of this month; but I do not think either of
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them will be well enough to go there so soon. You shall hear again when I know what day Mary goes to Uncle Charles's I hope your lodgings will prove comfortable ones - I remember Gower Street well as Mifs Taylor lived there latterly. Poor Charlotte had a tooth stopped on Tuesday: & is suffering from an abscefs on her gum: so I have a forlorn set altogether
We write in kind love, & believe me ever
Your affectionate Mother
C M Liveing

15. Catherine Mary Downing: Reminisences from his mother by Edward Liveing.
Liveing Archive: Red Book 091
Memoranda by Dr Edward Liveing of reminisences from his mother Catherine Downing.
My mother (C. M. Liveing then Downing) before her marriage (1821) used to journey to her mother Mrs Downing from Stoke by Nayland to Leicester every 2 years or so, to visit at her uncle's Mr Samuel Alston (last residing in St Martin's Street opposite to St Martin's Church (Leicester Cathedral) and yard there and near more of Grey Friars) attorney at law. On their journeys (the last was about 1818) they were accustomed to sleep in London at the Bull and Mouth, Aldgate. My mother remembers it as a large Inn with tiers of galleries round a court yard, and that she used to be called by the watchman at 4 am. They then started without breakfast, by the Leicester coach (4 horses) via Northampton, where they dined, at other times (returning?) at Dunstable. She remembers waiting at St Albans and getting out to see the Abbey. At Leicester she was entertained at various gracing parties - cards and supper - glorious suppers. The older folks played whist and the younger loo. Also there were concerts given at the assembly rooms and dancing (ball) afterwards. Mr Alston married a Miss Sultzer - her father a clergyman where my mother does not remember, he died when his daughter was young and she, (Mrs Alston,) had a brother a haberdasher in Leicester.
Another journey my mother well remembers was a posting one with her mother and and Aunt Miss F.E. Downing, from Chobham in Surrey the residence of the latter (she lived just on the London side of the village, lodging at a carpenters she chose Chobham for her residence to be near her old friends and fathers former estate at Ovingbank? Tilbury - Mr King and his wife, who then held the living of Bisley and resided at Chobham) To Salisbury and Wells (sleeping at both) on the way to Mr Spencers at Keeville near Trowbridge Wiltshire. Mr Spencer married a Miss Bowles a first cousin of Miss F.E.D. He was rector of Keevil - his father was Dr Spencer rector of Wingfield nearby. He was a favourite of F.E. Downing very quiet not strong. No family. This (her only visit there) lasted a month.
It was at the Spencers that my mother made the acquaintance of Mr Hey, rector, of Steeple Ashton; great uncle of my old college friends Charles and William Hey. The former now a Minor Canon of Winchester.
My mother remembers getting up and going to service at 6.00 in a side chapel of Salisbury. At Wells, the day being 5th November, there was a Bull baited in the street, in day time dresses and so on. When they arrived and attempted to make for the afternoon prayers at Cathedral they found all the shops shut, and Miss F.D.'s fears were at once excited - she interpreting as evidence of some fever, or pestilence in the place. On enquiring they were informed it was on account of the Bull Bait, and shortly the Bull and dogs made their appearance and the poor visitors beat a hasty retreat and remained shut up all the afternoon. The next day they saw the Cathedral and went to service. The journey was performed in a "post-chaise", a vehicle which held three having a single seat. The body was flat and glazed (a sketch is included) in front like a modern "Boonghaus"? but swung on much higher springs. There was "a bar" in front but no driving box on it - a man could just lodge himself - if you wished to have a driver and not a Postillion - it could not be called a seat. The Postillion was paid 3d a mile for himself. Each stage was about 12 miles - a change of horses and Postillion taking place at each stage. The charge for horses was one 1s 6d a mile for a pair of horses. The turnpikes formed the only additional charge. The chaise was not changed at each stage but sometimes went over 2 stages. On one occasion my mother remembers sleeping at Speeham Land near Newbury Berkshire on a coach journey to Bath from London. There was a beautiful Jun? there. She well remembers Sedan Chairs in general use in Bath: . . . . . the ladies used to be carried to evening parties in them (a sketch is included). A few stood in Street. She does not remember them in London - they had disappeared there. They were carried on the footway. She remembers being carried herself. A few were in use at Ely also. To go out to dinner and tea.
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London and Westminster by John Timbs 1863
1815 Alderman Birch, Mayor. He was celebrated cook and confectioner at No. 15 Cornhill probably the oldest shop of its class in the metropolis. This business was established George I by a Mr Horton who was succeeded by Mr Lucas Birch, and he by his son Mr Samuel Birch born 1757 Lord Mayor as above. He was a literary man wrote the "Adopted Child"
This gentleman my mother well remembers when she was 21 years of age, lodging pro tem at Dr Behemores 2 Millman Street, Bedford Road, Alderman Birch came to pay her a legacy of 19 guineas fr Mrs Baldwin of St Leonard's Aston Clinton, deceased whose executor (she believes) he was. This gentleman was well known to a friend of my mother's father George Downing of 52 Hatton Gardens (Mr Charles Riverstone, bookseller was another close friend) and he proposed to his sister Miss (Maria) Downing afterwards Mrs Knottesford who much reciprocated his affection but her father and mother refused their consent on grounds of it being too worldly a life - that of an Alderman's wife in London!
After Mrs Knottesford's marriage - for years he continued to send her a 12^th cake on 12^th day to Stoke by Nayland.

Recipe for spiced beef thought to be Catherine's ?

16. Census: England, 2 Apr 1871, 1 Sussex Villas Cambridge CAM. Catherine is described as head of house widowed aged 73 a landed proprietor and stockholder born MDX

17. Thorington St Stoke by Nayland: Thorington House.
Catherine lived at Stoke from 1843 to 1862 after her husband died, crayon sketch of her in later life from Liveing Archive 2008

18. Home of Catherine Liveing 1843 - 1862: Thorington House: Thorington St by Stoke by Nayland SFK.
Thorington House in winter 21st C, maps of property and hamlet. Thorington House in Catherine Liveing's time.
Courtesy C Walter 2021.

Catherine married Dr Edward LIVEING M.R.C.S. [98] [MRIN: 65], son of Commander Thomas LIVEING R N [230] and Harriet HARROLD [231], on 11 Jul 1821 in Stoke By Nayland SFK. (Dr Edward LIVEING M.R.C.S. [98] was born about 1795, baptised on 28 Oct 1795 in St Nicholas Harwich ESS, died on 10 Mar 1843 in Nayland SFK and was buried on 17 Mar 1843 in Nayland Churchyard SFK.). The cause of his death was acute throat infection.