Manuscript memoirs of Margaretha Sara Playne (nee van den Bosch) concerning her early life, recollections about her grandparents from Rotterdam who moved to Zeeland to escape Napoleon's influence and war with England. The volume also includes her recollections about other events in her and her family's lives such as moving to Neuwied, attending the Moravian school (1834), Unitarianism, visits to Edinburgh and other parts of Great Britain; family deaths including her siblings' Caroline from typhoid, Susanna aged 17, and Jan from consumption and her mother in childbirth; marriage, arrival of her daughters and many travels in Europe and Great Britain; meeting with Hugh Miller, geologist, a visit in 1859 from Captain Gardiner; York Minster service during Prince Albert's visit, Emperor Wilhelm I and his daughter Louisa at church; her husband's death, a portrait painted by Percy Bigland and other life events. The memoir's last entry is a prayer in German.
Margaretha Sara Playne
This material is held atSenate House Library Archives, University of London
- Reference
- GB 96 MS1268
- Dates of Creation
- 1822 - 1859
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English German
- Physical Description
- 1 volume 114 pages some of them blank
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Margaretha Sara Playne (nee van den Bosch) was a Dutchwoman and mother of English pacifist, humanitarian, novelist and historian of the First World War, Caroline Playne. Margaretha's grandparents were leading Rotterdam merchants who moved to Zeeland to escape the impact of Napoleon and war with England.
Access Information
Open, subject to the conditions outlined at fonds level.
Archivist's Note
Catalogue entry by AM Williamson, 2022-01-18