Samuel Wilberforce – Autograph Letter Signed (“S. Winton”) Farnham Castle, Surrey – 20 December 1869 Declining to offer the living of Wonston; mentions Mr Nash (tentatively Rev. Charles Nash)
Description: Fine autograph letter signed by Samuel Wilberforce (1805–1873), newly appointed Bishop of Winchester, written from Farnham Castle on 20 December 1869 – within the first weeks of his translation from Oxford to Winchester. A characteristic example of Wilberforce’s episcopal patronage correspondence.
Wilberforce writes to an unnamed correspondent, politely declining to present Mr Nash (tentatively Rev. Charles Nash, a clerical candidate active in southern diocesan circles in the late 1860s) to the living of Wonston, a Hampshire rectory under the patronage of the Bishop of Winchester. The vacancy was real and datable: the rector Rev. George Samuel Eyre died in 1869, creating the opening Wilberforce is addressing.
The letter shows Wilberforce’s familiar blend of courtesy and firmness, acknowledging Nash’s “excellence” while expressing regret that he cannot oblige. The signature “S. Winton” is Wilberforce’s standard episcopal form as Bishop of Winchester.
Diplomatic transcription: Farnham Castle, Surrey Dec 20 1869
My dear Sir I am quite aware of the excellence of Mr. Nash and I have hope on another occasion to be able to do something to meet his wishes, but as is not, I regret to be obliged to say, is not in my power to offer to him the living of Wonston. I am My dear Sir Yr. very truly S. Winton
Historical context:
Samuel Wilberforce, one of the most prominent Anglican bishops of the 19th century, had only just taken up residence at Farnham Castle in late 1869.
The Wonston rectory was a modest but respectable rural benefice, typically offered to younger clergy.
Mr Nash is tentatively identifiable as Rev. Charles Nash, whose career aligns with Wilberforce’s patronage network at this date.
The tone and phrasing match Wilberforce’s known style in declining preferment requests.
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Samuel Wilberforce FRS (Sep 1805 – Jul 1873) was an English bishop in the Church of England, and the third son of William Wilberforce. Wilberforce combined a religious vocation with significant influence in the theological, political, and scientific circles of Victorian Britain. He is regarded as one of the greatest public speakers of his day. A high church cleric, he served successively as Bishop of Oxford (1845–1869) and Bishop of Winchester (1869–1873). He is now best remembered for his opposition to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution at a debate in 1860.
PROVENANCE:
One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil.
Winifred Alice Myers (1909 - 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004.
Complete with digital .jpg CoA - as photo - for you to print if needed
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