FL14369298

OverviewTranscribeVersionsHelp

Facsimile

Transcription

Status: Complete

At the end of 1822 there was some correspondence between Thomas Hancox and Thomas Hassall about the role played by Edward Eager who was one of the execturos of Rowland Hassall's will. Eager, an emancipated convict, returned to England leaving his wife and children destitute in the colony. He took with him instructions from the Hassall family to sell wool sent to England on theSurrey on their behalf. From the proceeds of the sale he was supposed to have paid Thomas Hancox at least £150 and another amount of £744 but this was never done. He also reported untrue stories about one of the Hassall daughters and a relationship with a Mr Cobb. The Hassalls considered taking action against him but on legal advice that it would be difficult to prosecute someone so far away they abandoned the idea. This action was not supported by Thomas Hancox to whom to Hassalls owed money at this stage. Thomas Hassall agreed to send money to Thomas Hancox in three or four weeks. Hancox continued to write to Thomas Hassall about amounts owing to him and Thomas Hassall wrote to him
"...Notwithstanding your warmth and ill temper I will give every information and assistance in my power- though you could not expect me to rob myself and family of an amount which has actually been paid on your account. How true it is. They that wish be rich fall into temptation and a snare. 1Tim.6."

Finally Thomas Hassall wrote in January 1826 to Thomas Hancox offering to pay off the money, half in 1826 and half from 1827's wool if not before. "I find that unless we can cease writing we shall not cease wrangling".

Whether this claim was ever settles or whether another arose is not clear but in November 1828 communication between Thomas Hassall and Thomas Hancox obviously remained strained because a letter was sent to Thomas Hassall from one J. Hosking in Sydney who had been given power of attorney from Thomas Hancox asking for an account of Hassall's receipts and disbursements on Hancox's account and requesting an early settlement of Hancox's claims on the Hassall family. Thomas Hassall replied that he would hand over the papers when next he came to Sydney and payment was finally sorted out in August 1828. Thomas Hancox apologised for having appointed Hosking as his agent because he had not realised that there was ill will between Hosking and one of the Hassall brothers. In fact in August 1828 much good will between the Hassalls and Hancoxes was restored and warm letters were sent from Thomas Hancos and his wife to Thomas Hassall giving family news and news of Reverend Burder as well as sending greetings to the Hassall family and reminiscing about old times and regretting that they would never see one another again although they both would always welcome Thomas Hassall to their home in Oxford Street.

How Thomas Hancox fits into the family pattern is not yet clear. He seemed to have been better educated than the Coventry Hassalls and maintained a business in London and manages

Notes and Questions

Nobody has written a note for this page yet

Please sign in to write a note for this page