18th century poet.- Somervile [Somerville] (William, poet, 1675-1742) Autograph Letter signed to "My Dear Lord", probably his cousin, James, thirteenth Lord Somerville , 1p., sm. 4to, Edstone, 27th September 1731, thanking him for his condolences on the death of his wife who died on 5th September 1731, and referring to the deed drawn up by which Lord Somerville financially underwrote Somerville's income in return for the reversion of the property to him after his death, and the presumed death of his mother, "Your servant Reynolds is gone to Adderbury to my mother to take Directions from her own Mouth about her Funeral. This looks as if she was resolved to dye in good earnest, she is indeed so very old, and so very weak that she cannot continue long", laid down on card, left margin torn not affecting text, folds, foxed and browned.

⁂ Somervile's anticipation of his mother's death was somewhat premature as the old lady lived for another 11 years, dying at the age of 98, just one month before Somervile.