A new initiative has just been introduced to enable Scotland’s oldest inhabited house, Traquair House (dating from the early 12th century), near Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders, to make a range of documents available to a broader readership via their website. Currently, the focus is on Mary Ravenscroft the 7th Countess of Traquair.
Five instalments of Mary’s diary written between 1782 and 1783 are available so far, as well as an intriguing article Mary penned whilst considering potential husbands, which outlines the prospects of three eligible contenders. Although each man’s financial position is prominent in her notes, Mary’s eventual husband (who is not mentioned in the essay) was not chosen for his fortune but despite his lack thereof as the family were beset by financial problems caused by the Earl’s gambling and unfounded explorations for mineral mining both abroad and on the estate.
The diaries provide an insight into family life at Traquair in the late 18th century, in particular the management of the household in great detail. Mary refers to herself in the third person throughout, as Ly. T, meaning Lady Traquair. Rather than being a reflective kind of diary – Mary refers to herself in the third person throughout, as Ly. T., standing for Lady Traquair – Mary instead offers an account of her daily life at home, focusing on guests to the house, how she manages her servants and the health of the household. Entries detail on numerous occasions which meals Mary prepares for her son Linton and how Mary consoles him following his vaccination against smallpox – an immunisation programme which was then in early development. As the immunisation was in its infancy, how Linton might react to it provoked curiosity amongst friends and neighbours, who visit the House to check on the boy’s wellbeing. As Linton develops smallpox symptoms Mary cares for him alone, with no input from her husband noted in the diaries. Significantly, Mary is willing to challenge and question the doctor’s treatment of her son, as her anxiety about his condition increases.
Visit http://www.traquair.co.uk/content/traquair-house-archives to access this fantastic resource.
If reading the diaries online reveals a passion for archives, then come along to our archive taster sessions – these will take place on Mondays, 2-4pm, from 1st November to 13th December 2010.
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