A letter from Morocco

[ref.TW397]

This is part of a letter from Nicholas Lawrence, a merchant tailor, who had travelled from his home town of Bedford to Taradanty [now Taroudant, Morocco]. He is writing to his cousin Henry Howe, who is to deliver the news 'to the cousin that married cousin Angelita', and their other cousin, William Lawrence. 22 Aug 1590

'He writes that he knows that his brother John and wife are poor, and that they have kept two of his three children for these 3 years, but considers that he left sufficient property in his house, and has sent sufficient trade goods to cover the cost. He set out for Taradanty on 13 May 1586, and had 100 odd miles to go by foot, and took 2 months 20 days to get to the country. He instructs his wishes about the children. He also asks Henry to tell cousin Travill that her husband is very ill.

Nicholas died in 1597, 'in the city of Morocus in the country of Barberye' and his will was proved at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury in 1602.  He named his children, Gyles the elder son, Richard and Dorothy to be his executors. 'If children die under age without heirs, then property to town of Bedford for marriage portions for poor maids or for the upkeep of the bridge'. For his property in England he asks cousins Master William Howe, preacher, and Master John Collens one of the Inner Temple, to be Overseers.

Why is this document in Bedfordshire Archives?

This document is part of the Trevor-Wngfield manuscripts deposited with Bedfordshire Record office in 1932 and 1934, principally concerning the Boteler family of Biddenham. The Lawrence family, headed by Nicholas' son Giles, now a surgeon in London, sold their land at Clapham Close to William Boteler in 1605.