LYDIA TONKIN

Was a female fish merchant of Newlyn. Her correspondence with her cousin, George Beare, of St Ervan, near Newquay reflects some of the difficulties faced by a woman in a man’s world. The transcript is of one of her letters and the illustration is of another original document in Cornwall Records Office Newlyn Augst 9th 1703 Hon[oure]d Coz[e]n

Was a female fish merchant of Newlyn. Her correspondence with her cousin, George Beare, of St Ervan, near Newquay reflects some of the difficulties faced by a woman in a man’s world. The transcript is of one of her letters and the illustration is of another original document in Cornwall Records Office Newlyn Augst 9th 1703 Hon[oure]d Coz[e]n There has bin w[i]th me Mr Sam[ue]ll Phillips of Gullvall 2 days since earnestly inquiring w[he]n I thought yo[u] might be west to w[hi]ch I co[u]ld not satisfy him haveing not heard from yo[u] in long time he then requested me to write yo[u] that if yo[u] please he has a desire to purchase in y[ou]r 3rd part of y[ou]r teniment in Gullvall wher[e]in he has 2[s]:3d but if yo[u] think it not fitt to dispos[e] of y[ou]r right: he wo[u]ld willingly for ye pr[e]sent tenantsts take a new estate for Lives : to bouth proposalls he desir[e]s y[ou]r speedy answar for yt [that] I find ye tenants are now treating w[i]th him for putting up lives on his 2 parts he desir[e]s yo[u] will writ[e] me y[ou]r answare for ^he^ haveing but few lett[er]s at post they maybe neglected for convayance – I have not h[e]ard anything as to Battens busines ever since our answer was sent up I hop[e] that quashed I shall allway[s] acknowledg[e] y[ou]r favors therein. Mr Nichcolas is dayly expect[e]d home – all y[ou]r fri[e]nds in thos[e] parts are well. Coz[e]n Williams was restored to his place at Penzance ye last week. I & mine joyne in presenting yo[u] our hum[ble] serv[ic]es. I am Hon[oure]d Coz[e]n y[ou]r humble servant Lydia Tonkin. I have betwin my fri[e]nd & silfe [self] 8 peces of tinn five of ton but want of byres [buyers] by reason of ye want of [-----]als last Coynage pray can yo[u] procure a Markett [for] pill[char]d[s] begin to come now.