Description
Book SynopsisThis intriguing book is really a detective story, revealing what turned out to be a most unusual cast of characters and some eyebrow-raising family secrets. It is a story of wealth and privilege, unhealthily close family connections, and pedigrees of both the human and canine varieties. Centre stage are three eccentric, quintessentially English sisters - Letitia, Maud and Mary - whose story vividly captures a way of life that no longer exists. Spanning counties, grand houses and centuries, William M. Hartley draws on oral and archival sources to give us a fascinating glimpse inside `a most singular household' which adds greatly to the social history of both the North West and Great Britain.
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations vii Preface x Family Trees: The Hornby Family Tree xii The Sheridan/Gore Jones Family Tree xiv The Satterthwaite Family Tree xvi Chapters: 1. Arrival in Buxton in reduced circumstances 1 - Solomon's Temple 7 2. The hunt for the Will - my introduction to the Satterthwaites 8 3. The aristocratic connection 14 4. Dalton Hall influence, the Living at Disley and yet more good connections 25 5. The Dark Secret 34 - A little aside - Sambo's Grave and Fanny's Hand 42 - Robert Gillow, the cabinet maker 45 6. In Chancery 47 7. The Sheridan Connection and Paternal Grandpapa 52 8. Life at Stonehurst - the first twenty years 60 9. Uncles, Aunts and Uncle Geoffie - a surprising disappointment 70 10. Continuing life at Stonehurst - the separate lives of Maud and Lettie 79 11. The Fire 85 12. Maud's Funeral 88 13. Lettie alone, the trip to Lichfield and an unseemly outrage 91 14. Matrons' Challenge 96 15. The Satterthwaite Bequest 99 Appendix showing map of Sunderland Point, Bazil, Glasson Dock and River Lune 104 Acknowledgements 105 Select Bibliography 107 Index 108
