Whitchurch Mausoleum

HEH STG Correspondence Box 522 (2). Letter from the Rector of Whitchurch 13 August 1845 to William James Smith at Stowe. There are two other letters re this: STG 522 (3) & (4). A Huntington Library note with this letter: “see 1) Family Papers re Chandos Mausoleum 2) Accounts (Misc. repairs) vouchers for repairs to Chandos Mausoleum 1845.”

Little Stanmore

Aug. 13 1845

Sir

I beg you to acknowledge the receipt of your communication respecting the repairs to be done to the Chandos Mausoleum at Whitchurch, and likewise to alert you to my endeavour to carry the Duke of Buckingham’s wishes on the subject, with immediate affect.

I much regret having been from home when you visited the Church, as I should have wished to have pointed out to you the very disorderly position of the Coffins in the Vault, which has been devoted exclusively as the receptacle of the deceased members of His Grace’s family, who have been buried here. A trifling expence, I should imagine would suffice to place them in order—and should I receive any further instructions on the subject I should be happy to personally superintend their arrangement.

I may add that when the Duchess of Buckingham visited the Church lately her Grace saw the Chandos Vault, and appeared to think that the coffins required arrangement.

I have the honor to be

Sir

Y^r Ob^t S^t

B.J. Armstrong

To W.J. Smith Esq

Stowe