Wiltshire South Newton, copy letter Catharine Milbourne

Interesting early 19th century letter:

To the Revd T. D--

Sir
As I understand that there is soon to take place a Parish meeting on the subject of pews and that there is also a rumour that I am to be removed from the pew I now occupy into the chancell, I am under the necessity of again troubling you to say that if it is so determined I must take a final leave of the church and place altogether, as I will not submit to be turned out of the pew I have occupied four years as appertaining to the Vicarage House to make room for any person in this place. You must be sensible that I am the only gentlewoman in South newton; I am of one of the oldest familes in this county - the Thistlethwaytes; and am also lineally descended from Sir Thos Hungerford, the 1st Speaker the House of Commons ever had, in the reign of Edward the 3rd - and from Sir John de Pelham who took John, King of France, prisoner at the Battle of Poictiers in the same reign; on which occasion the victorious Monarch granted him as an addition to his arms of three Pelicans, the buckles of the belt, by which he detained his prisoner - which arms + additions I now quarter. - Is it just or right that a person so circumstanced should be displaced for farmers and inferior persons?
My house has been much injured by the raising of a wall, so as to deprive me of air and prospect, and am I not to say my prayers undisturbed? Since I have resided in this place I have endeavoured as far as my power extended to alleviate the miser of the poorer sort and have also shown every possible civility to those in superior circumstances - in return for which I am now particularly marked out as a subject of insult. - Is it in human nature to endure this? I am Sir
Your humble servant
Catharine Thistlethwaite Hungerford Chaldecott Pelham Milbourne
Vicarage House - South Newton
April 26th 1805

As a later ink note rightly points out:
evidently a copy as watermark is 1816

Tape to the edges of the final blank page. Also tape at the inner edge of the first page which affects the text there. Creased where previously folded. Almost split in two down the central fold. Minor damage to the final blank page.

The page measures approximately 19 x 11cm

It will be sent in a reinforced envelope.

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