A group of 39 autographed letters, signed from James Dunn, solicitor at Tolgus to Samuel Percival of Pendarves in Bristol, keeping him updated concerning the running of the Pendarves estate in Cornwall. The estate was passed on to Percival’s wife, Grace, upon the death of her brother Sir William Pendarves (died 1726). Percival’s address is often “at the Copper Warehouse in Small Street” Bristol suggesting that he may have worked in the copper company founded by John Percival in 1742. The letters contain many references to copper and tin mining at the Pendarves mines and elsewhere as well as local news and gossip, reports on the house and gardens at the Pendarves estate. Dunn also appears to have acted s Percival’s solicitor, agent and accountant, managing tenancies and looking after the library and wine cellar. There are also references to the politician and book collector Robert Hoblyn as Dunn appears to have been employed by him as well. Dunn also makes many references to the fossilary at Pendarves, created by Grace Percival.
- Author: Dunn, James, solicitor, at Tolgus.
- Title: Letters : to Samuel Percival of Pendarves, Bristol, 1754 October 26-1757 September 9.
Catalog Record
LWL MSS 10
Acquired July 2013
