John Williams of Llangibby Castle to Sir Charles Kemeys. Repeats an undertaking given at Monmouth that he would not oppose the election of Sir Charles and Worcester for Monmouthshire; he had said that if Worcester would be chosen for Gloucestershire, he would stand for Monmouthshire in his place.
Robert Hardesly to Sir Charles Kemeys. Sending a draft of his answer as one of the defendants to the bill of complaint of Sir John Robinson and others, complainants, respecting the real estate of William Whitmore, dec., of which Sir Charles claimed one third.
Thomas Morgan of Lanrumney to Sir Charles Kemeys. Reference to the good agreement between Parliament and the King, which he hoped would long continue.
Thomas Morgan of Penrose to Sir Charles Kemeys. Approves of the action taken by Parliament against Argyle; reports a rumour in Bristol of an uprising in Taunton Dean, which caused alarm and consequently a strong guard was kept day and night; a messenger was sent to Taunton to enquire the cause of the unlawful disturbance; his son Harry wishes to know whether he had spoken about the renewal of a lease.
Robert Hardesly to Sir Charles Kemeys. He would know the decision of the Judges of the Common Pleas on Sir Charles's reference before term begins; states that Cornish, one of the late Aldermen of London, on whom Sir Charles had sent his bill for £100, had been convicted of high treason and it is reported that he would be executed on Friday next; he had been informed that his widow was well acquainted with the Lord Chancellor's family and wishes Sir Charles would continue his interest there and his good opinion by showing all respect possible, which might be of some advantage to the cause.
John Romsey to Sir Charles Kemeys. Thanks him for a dog; mention of military events abroad; states that the Bishop of London had been suspended during the King's pleasure.
Lady Mary Kemeys to Sir Charles Kemeys. Complains again of postal delays; discusses the furnishing of a chariot; wants to know when he was coming to London.
John Romsey to Sir Charles Kemeys. Wonders if it would be advisable to bring his daughter to London to be touched by the King and asks for Sir Charles's opinion.
Lady Mary Kemeys to Sir Charles Kemeys. Concerning the trust for her children from her first marriage, Edmund and Ann Thomas; her father was resolved to stand up for his right to be guardian to the children, unless Sir Charles would undertake never to be concerned in the business; she would much rather not be in Lady Morgan's trust than lose the children, which she feared would happen if it came to a lawsuit; she intends consulting Sir Robert Sawyer on the matter; she hopes that Lady Morgan's body would soon be shipped away to Holland, as, if they could not agree about the trustees, she would be almost ready to rise again as soon as she was laid; Sir James Morgan had called to see her, very drunk, but she was not in; he had said that the Lords Lieutenant was to be sent down again to see if they could bring the King a better account than last time, for he was resolved to leave no stone unturned to bring his designs to par.
Lady Mary Kemeys to Sir Charles Kemeys. Nothing could be done about Lady Morgan's trust till he had replied to her letters; while she was in town she wished his leave to get a deed drawn up for the settling of the estate, as he had promised; in a draft (see 703) she had submitted, the estate was to be settled without revocation on his eldest son and £500 a piece on younger sons and daughters; she had added £400 jointure on herself, because he could not take away her claim to thirds, which would be worse for the heir and much more convenient to her than a rent charge jointure; but if Sir Charles grudged it, she would not insist; whatever she saved would be for the benefit of hers and Sir Charles's children; her children by the previous marriage were largely provided for; she raises the question of the trustees and asks if they should be the same as in a previous deed, but with her brother added, but thinks that Lord Worcester should be omitted, as it was likely that he would leave matters in the hands of his stewards; she had just received his letter in reply to queries concerning his views concerning her children's trust, but she would avoid showing it to her father, as the letter stated that he wished him out of the trust; she felt inclined to give up the whole business, but Sir Robert Sawyer favoured her administering alone.
Dorothy Kemeys to J. R. Mason. Desiring him to ask Sir Charles Kemeys for a loan; and receipt (18 Jan. 1687/8) for £20 lent to Madam Kemeys, payable on demand.
Mary Kemeys to her brother, Sir Charles Kemeys. Lady Mary had told her that her father would not let her have the tuition of the children unless Tom Wharton was made a joint administrator with her.
Lady Mary Kemeys to Sir Charles Kemeys. She had intended commencing her journey for Wales that day, but could not manage it; but if he did not fail to send to Pusie, by this day week, she hoped to be near the water side by 1 March; Williams had gone by stage coach; she was sorry Sir Charles was not satisfied about the child, but she could not help it - what vexed her most was his annoyance because she was forced to borrow money to bring her out of town.
John Romsey to Sir Charles Kemeys. Asking him to send him £30,
Lady Mary Kemeys to Sir Charles Kemeys. Reference to the fact that Sir Charles was left out of the list of new justices, whereas Mr Rumsie was not; details concerning the employment of servants.
John Romsey to Sir Charles Kemeys. He had received a letter from the Duke of Beaufort, saying that he was not to be included in the lieutenancy either in Glamorgan or in Bristol; he and Sir Charles were seemingly understood to be on the same side; protests that he had done all in his power to serve the Crown; reference to the distress caused him by the illness of his daughter; reports that Admiral Herbert 'had taken a desperate frolicke' and had gone to Holland without the King's leave.
John Romsey to Sir Charles Kemeys. Expressing his thanks to his sisters and Lady Kemeys for their kindness to his daughter Mary.
John Romsey to Sir Charles Kemeys. He had been graciously received by the Duke of Beaufort at Bristol; he had made him deputy-lieutenant and major of the regiment there, appointments in which seemingly he did not rejoice; Sir Robert Southwell had dined that day with the Duke; he believed that the Prince of Orange had sustained such damage by the weather that invasion that winter would be virtually impossible; reports that Sunderland had parted with the King on ill terms, and had retired to a private house in Windsor, as he says, to pay his debts by penury, which he could not do as minister with £4,000 pa.
Marquis of Worcester to Sir Charles Kemeys. He had heard from the Prince, who was still at Salisbury and had not yet reached Oxford; he hears the market people are up at Chepstole and the gentlemen will come into them, so it was a good place to meet; he was to raise the troop, as ordered, and as soon as they had reduced Chepstole they might march towards the Prince; they must repress the insolence of the garrison.
John Romsey to Sir Charles Kemeys. Reference to the convention and the likelihood that the Crown would be offered to the Prince and Princess of Orange, but the Bishops and many others favoured sending for the King, who was to undertake to govern according to the law in future; does not think the Irish would resort to violence, as there were so many hostages here; report that Admiral Herbert had gone to fetch the Princess; the Bishop of Bristol was designed for Salisbury.