Sarah Ricketts to Susan Niemcewicz, June 23, 1806

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Description

Sarah Ricketts wrote from London, England to Susan Niemcewicz in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Maria sent Sarah’s letter to Susan last week before she could finish it. In a letter Mr. B[olingbroke] mentioned that they planned to sail in a fortnight if they could get a good ship however, his postscript made them all feel uneasy as he did not know Mrs. B’s situation. Mrs. B did not think her baby was alive and did not think she would ever see them again. Sarah described her experience attending the Marchioness of Lansdowne’s Masquerade after she struggled getting tickets. Sarah wished she could give Susan an idea of the magnificent scene. She heard the Prince of Wales tell the Duchess of York that it was the handsomest thing of its kind that he ever saw. Sarh thought Lady Callendar was one of the finest. The house and garden that took up the whole side of Berkely Square was one of the finest in London and so well calculated for parties. Some guests claimed there were seventeen rooms opened but Sarah did not count them all. She saw five supper rooms with three tables down the center of the room with one at the top. The hall, staircase, and rooms were ornamented with flowers and different colored lamps. Each side of the walk around the garden was festooned with different colored lamps attached to a post. There were several marquees in the gardens with refreshments. The whole scene had a beautiful effect. There were also several bands of music and dancing throughout out the different rooms. Sarah also went into detail on how she and other guests in attendance were dressed.

People mentioned: Maria Ricketts, George Richard Belasie and Mrs. Bolingbroke, Lord Robert, Marchioness of Lansdowne, Mr. Cranford, Lord Ossory, Admiral Bentinck, Lady Francis, Prince of Wales, Duchess of York, Lady Callendar

Author/Creator

Sarah Ricketts (1755-1825)

Recipient

Susan Ursin Niemcewicz, formerly Susan Livingston and Susan Kean (1759-1833)

Creation Date

6-23-1806

Document Type

Manuscript

Location

London, England

Collection

Liberty Hall Collection, 1711-1847 (bulk 1790-1830)

Inventory Location

Series 2; 103 C

Recommended Citation

Ricketts, Sarah. Sarah Ricketts to Susan Niemcewicz, June 23, 1806. Manuscript. From Special Collections Research Library and Archive, Kean University, Liberty Hall Collection 1800s. https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/lhc_1800s/561

Rights

This collection is open to the public for research use. Copyright remains with Kean University. Credit this material. Personal photographs may be made for research purposes. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to the Special Collections Research Library and Archive at keanscrla@kean.edu.

Publishing Repository

Special Collections Research Library and Archive, Kean University