Gladstone’s Library is delighted to introduce a new blog series entitled ‘From the Archives…’; a regular spotlight on some of the remarkable items we hold within our collections. The series will showcase a selection of our most weird, wonderful, and always fascinating holdings, so be sure to check back regularly for updates!
The first post in the series centres around one of William Ewart Gladstone’s 15 granddaughters, the superbly named Dorothy Mary Catherine ‘Dossie’ Drew.
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On 2nd February 1886, at the age of 38, William’s daughter Mary astounded her friends and family by marrying the Rev. Harry Drew, curate of Hawarden, who was 10 years her junior! The couple initially lived in the home of her parents, Hawarden Castle, where they had only one surviving daughter, Dorothy Mary Catherine Drew, born 11th March 1890 and known as ‘Dossie’.
Dossie was a real favourite of her grandfather – and you can imagine why! While retrieving archives from our store earlier this week, our Archives Assistant Dawn re-discovered this lovely letter from Dossie, thanking a Mrs Ballard for a present and sending snowdrops from the ‘Old Castle’.
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What do you think of our new blog series? Is there anything you’d like to see us shine light on? Tweet us @gladlib using #GladLibArchives.