WILLOUGHBY, Henry (1780-1849), of Birdsall and Settrington, nr. Malton, Yorks This image shows a "Free Front" from a letter sent in October 1826. In the early 19th century, Members of Parliament (MPs) had the privilege of "franking" mail—sending and receiving letters for free by signing their names on the cover. Transcription of the Address The handwriting on the front of the letter reads: Northampton Nov twenty the Revd Dr Pinckney East Sheen Mortlake Surrey [Signature] H. Willoughby Historical Details • The Sender: Henry Willoughby (1780–1849). He was the Member of Parliament for Newark from 1805 to 1831. His signature at the bottom left served as the "frank" that allowed the letter to travel without postage fees. • The Recipient: The Rev. Dr. Pinckney of East Sheen. This refers to John Humphrey Pinckney, D.D., who was a prominent clergyman and ran a well-known private school for the sons of the nobility and gentry in East Sheen, Mortlake. • The Postmarks: • The prominent red circular stamp is a "Free" date stamp from London. It features a crown at the top and the date "27 OC 27 / 1826" (Oct 27, 1826). • The "FREE" stamp confirmed that the MP’s signature was verified and no postage was due. Context By the 1820s, the franking system was often used by MPs to help friends and constituents avoid high postal rates. Interestingly, although Willoughby was the MP for Newark (Nottinghamshire), this letter was posted from Northampton, as indicated by the manuscript note at the top left. Both Henry Willoughby and Rev. Dr. Pinckney were influential figures in early 19th-century British society. Here is a deeper look into their lives: Henry Willoughby (1780–1849) Henry Willoughby was a long-serving politician and a member of the prominent Willoughby family (Barons Middleton). • Political Career: He served as the Member of Parliament for Newark for 26 years (1805–1831). He was a "Tory" and largely followed the interest of the Duke of Newcastle, who controlled the Newark seat. He was known for his diligence in local affairs but was not a frequent speaker in the House of Commons. • Family & Estates: He was the son of Rev. James Willoughby and Eleanor Hobson. Although he was a commoner, his son later became the 8th Baron Middleton, inheriting the massive family estates, including Wollaton Hall (often cited as the inspiration for Wayne Manor in Batman films) and Birdsall House. • Personal Life: He was educated at Rugby School and Cambridge. In 1815, he married Charlotte Eyre, the daughter of the Archdeacon of York, which solidified his connections within the Church of England and the aristocracy. Rev. Dr. John Humphrey Pinckney (1768–1848) The recipient of your letter, "The Revd Dr Pinckney," was far more than just a local clergyman; he was a prestigious educator. • The School at East Sheen: Dr. Pinckney ran a highly successful private preparatory school in East Sheen, Surrey. During this era, East Sheen was an elite rural retreat for the wealthy. His school was essentially a "feeder" for top public schools like Eton and Harrow. • A "High Society" Educator: His students included the sons of Earls, Marquises, and prominent MPs. Because of his reputation, he became quite wealthy and influential in the Mortlake area. He was known for providing a classical education (Latin, Greek, and Mathematics) to the future leaders of the British Empire. • Clerical Role: Besides being a headmaster, he held the degree of Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) and was a Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Why were they writing? While the contents of the letter are lost, there is a very high probability that the letter concerned a student. 1. Placement: Willoughby had sons (like Henry, the future 8th Baron) who would have been the right age for a preparatory school in the 1820s. 2. Patronage: As an MP, Willoughby may have been writing to recommend a constituent’s son for a place at the school, or to discuss the progress of a young relative. The Postal Markings Re-examined • "Northampton Nov twenty": This indicates Willoughby was likely visiting or living in Northamptonshire when he sent this. • The "FREE" Stamp: The red crown stamp confirms the date as October 27, 1826. The discrepancy between the handwritten "Nov" and the October stamp suggests the letter may have been prepared in late October and sent slightly later, or there was a clerical error by the MP or the post office. Look carefully at the images to form an opinion The shipment will be from UK Lot L-GB-03