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 LETTER FROM GEORGE WEBSTER[1] TO HENRY REMINGTON[2]  CONFIRMING WEBSTER AS ARCHITECT OF MERLEWOOD

 

Eller How

Newton in Cartmel

 

March 15 1862

 

To Henry Remington Esq

Re Cartmel Grammar School

 

Dear Sir

 

I cannot but think there must be some strange mistake made by … about this White Norway Timber, surely, there must be several kinds of it, for Mr Thompson has twice written me upon the subject! His last remarks are

  "Touching "white deal", Merlewood, Mr Binyon's, has all the floors made of White Norway Deal and nearly every House built in the North for many years back are of the same material. Compston's and other Builders assure me they are much better than yellow pine for that purpose and will stand much more of hardship. I don't believe a syllable of their only standing 30 years. They are in fact immensely used nearly all over the country so that if we err, we only do so in common with others." …

  Although I made all the designs for Merlewood, the constructive properties were all made and arranged by Mr Thompson,[3] it being after my retirement, to oblige Mr Binyon as a neighbour. I did it, and also for his lodge! - Mr B requested my doing so.

  Very truly yours

Geo Webster

 

Original letter held by Cumbria Record Office, Kendal (reference WPR 89/2704/1) and included with their permission.

[1] It was the firm of Websters that influenced the architecture of Kendal and the surrounding area in the 19th century. Founded by Francis Webster (1767-1827), it was continued by his sons Francis (1895-1880) and George (1797-1864).  The Websters of Kendal: exhibition catalogue, 1973; Taylor,A. 1998. The Websters. In: The History of Kendal, lectures … organised by the Kendal Group of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society & Kendal Civic Society, 2-9; Taylor, A. 2004. The Websters of Kendal: a north-western architectural dynasty, edited by Janet Martin. Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society.

[2] Ulverston solicitor, whose sons Reginald and Thomas Machell married Alfred Binyon's daughters Frances and Alice Maud, respectively.

[3] Miles Thompson, George Webster's draughtsman for 20 years, became junior partner in 1845, senior in 1846, and virtually independent until his death in 1868.

 

 

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