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Lot 35

A living for Nelson's chaplain
Horatio Nelson

18 October 2005, 14:00 BST
Oxford

£3,000 - £4,000

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A living for Nelson's chaplain
Horatio Nelson

Autograph letter signed ("Nelson & Bronte"), to the Lord Chancellor (Lord Eldon), thanking him for presenting Mr Comyn to the living of Bridgham ("...I can only say that Your Lordship has most infinitely Obliged Your Most Obedient Servant..."), one page, 4to, laid down, framed and glazed (unexamined out of frame), Merton, 24 June 1802

Footnotes

The Rev Stephen George Comyn had served as Nelson's chaplain on the Vanguard at the Battle of the Nile. He attended Nelson when he was wounded, and held the service of thanksgiving on the quarterdeck afterwards. He transferred with Nelson to the Foudroyant in 1799. He served again with him in 1801, first in the San Josef, then in the St George. He was Rector of St Mary's, Bridgham, Norfolk, from 1802 to 1839, where his monument in the church is inscribed: 'Sacred to the memory of the Reverend Stephen George Comyn, 36 years rector of this parish who died 17th of March 1839 aged 73 years. Chaplain to vice-Admiral Lord Nelson, was with him in the Battle of the Nile and at Copenhagen and was presented to the rectory of this parish by the chancellor through the intercession of Lord Nelson'. A son was baptized Horatio Nelson William Comyn in 1806. Nelson wrote to Comyn on the same day as this letter: "I send you the Chancellor's letter, and most sincerely congratulate you on your preferment, which to a person who has conducted himself so prudently in pecuniary affairs will make you truly comfortable" (Nicolas Letters and Dispatches, iv, p.19). Two letters by Nelson to Davison concerning Comyn's living have recently come to light and are published by White, New Letters, one of c.10/15 May 1802 ("...I wish to give poor Mr Comyn My Fathers Living...") and another of 22 June 1802 ("...Mr: Thom is dead I have wrote to the Chancellor and I beg that you will also write and try that Good Mr: Comyn may have it..."). Our letter, however, is printed by neither Nicolas, nor White; and Nicolas prints only one other letter by Nelson to the Chancellor (17 September 1801).

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