RARE 1731 GeorgeII Letter KNOWSLEY HALL Isle of Man Governor Horton Bloodletting For Sale

An exceptional, museum-grade handwritten letter dated **September 28, 1731** from **Knowsley Hall**, the ancestral seat of the Earls of Derby. Written by **Thomas Horton (1684–1757)** of Chadderton Hall (Governor of the Isle of Man under the Stanley Lords of Mann) to his son William (\"Willy\") at his university/legal chambers. His son went on to maintain the family estates and secure the family prominence in the region.### ITEM DETAILS & CONDITION
* **Date:** September 28, 1731 (George II Era)
* **Origin:** Knowsley Hall, Lancashire, England
* **Material:** Heavy-laid rag paper with clear chain lines
* **Postal Marks:** Authentic 18th-century undated provincial handstamp
* **Seals:** Split but highly detailed armorial red wax signet seal
* **Condition:** Excellent for its 290+ year age. Crisp ink, highly legible hand, minimal edge fraying and partial holing. Protected in an archival sleeve. Was in a fragile state with tears and in two pieces but solidly stabilised and repaired with ph neutral acid free porous archival tape This is an extraordinary time capsule of early 18th-century social, maritime, and medical history. The letter is written by a father, Thomas Horton, to his son \"Willy\" (William), who has just moved into new university or legal chambers (likely at the Temple in London). It captures the perfect balance of paternal advice mixed with local gossip about horse illnesses, voyages to the Isle of Man, and a striking account of 18th-century medical bloodletting.* **University Life:** Detailed advice on library catalog shipping via the Nottingham carrier and instructions from tutors regarding reading Greek.
* **Isle of Man & Maritime Lore:** Mentions shipping delays, stewards, and families traveling across the Irish Sea, plus regional leisure history (*Crosby Races*).
* **Georgian Medicine:** Features a remarkable postscript documenting a consultation with Dr. Maxwell resulting in **phlebotomy (bloodletting)** to treat head noises/tinnitus.Knowsley 28th Septbr. 1731
Willy, — I wrote you last week, since which I received yrs—which came by Chadderton dated the 2d Instant and am glad to hear Mr Partridge has given you possession of the Chambers, as to the Study you may do without it for a month or so. Mr Tho: Bradshaw will send you this week either by Tho: Combell or by the Nottingham Carrier Higgott, a Catalogue of all the Books at Chadderton, which I left with him, as of come here, so hope you’ll have yr in 10 days, if any are suitable for you, you had best write to Mr Edm. Radcliffe at Oldham, who has the keys of them, and he will forward them to you by the first, but you must let him know whether they are amongst my uncle’s books or mine they being separate, and whether folio, Quarto, etc. As to yr reading Greek tho you may not have much occasion for it, it would do well to understand it so as to read it well and that you may do by lectures once a week which you write yr Tutors now exercise you in. I am sorry to hear yr Horse has been ill, and suppose it might be only a heat breaking out after so long a Journey in hott weather, so hope by this time he is free from it. I am glad to hear yr College is now so healthy, and the Gentleman recovered that lay ill.
I heard from the Isle about 10 days ago by Mr Hamilton who has brought his son over, and sent him to London. I saw him on Sunday at Liverpool. Young Willson came over in the same ship. Jack Murrey came over some time before, I saw him at Crosby Races, and hear he is design’d for the Temple. There is little news out of the Island, but all friends well. Letters from Bro. & Sisters etc. they are begun hunting and my horse is in good order. Harry Herd sail’d for the Island last Monday with Cosn. Molly Parr, Williamson the Steward, and Miss Patten of London on board, and the steward’s horse and Stanley old horse went also, so that I am without horse at present, they had a fair wind that day, but contrary next day, which gave us suspicion they did not get a ready passage. If with the track of sea the wind come fair again on Friday so that they get in the 3d day at farthest, I expect him back the first wind with Maddrell and others who must attend the appeals, and if it comes I believe I shall go over with him soon after the appeal day next month.
[Written on the left margin/cross-hatched fold:]
I have advis’d since I came down with Dr Maxwell, and Jones & they alter’d the former day’s directions, & advis’d to take a little blood first which I have done this morn and begin the medicines that are to follow it. If the noise in my head continues or rather increases & is painfull, you shall hear again from me by which time hope to give you a better account, and have not to add at present, further than my hearty prayers to God to direct and assist you in all will, and make you a comfort to yr relations, and of service to them and yr Country, which is all from,
yr ever loving Father
Tho: Horton
Capt. Heywood is just return’d from Staffordshire.