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This file contains letters sent to and received by Theodora Trench between 1948 and 1853.
The majority of the letters were sent by Sheelah Lefroy and Buffy [?].

In 1948 Buffy spent time travelling across Africa and sent Theodora letters describing places such as Mount Kenya, Nairobi and Kenya. Buffy also describes her dissatisfaction with the air mail system and her day to day timetable.

Within her letters Sheelah discusses topics such as Theodora's financial problems, hiring a couple to work for her, birthday wishes and foddering.

Letters received by Theodora Trench in 1958, 1959 and 1960.

The letters cover a variety of topics. Examples include a letter of reference for Alexander Gamage from the Charleville estate ;a letter from Offaly County Council regarding a complaint against the district medical officer; a letter from Alison [?] regarding diet advice from J.S Goller, 93. Harley street., W. L., England; a letter from May Grubb regarding The Royal United Kingdom Beneficent Association helping two elderly women and a letter from Sheelah Lefroy regarding a grave stone bought from Mr. Riggs, Dundrum, Dublin.

Letters sent to extended members of the Trench family.

Examples of letters contained within the file include a letter from E. Byrne, 10 Havelock Square, Bath Avenue, Dublin sent to Blanche Trench. In the letter Byrne discusses Blanche's sadness over her brother Benjamin Bloomfield Trench's engagement, and a letter from [Kerrern] to Ethel Gore Booth discussing hotels, travel guides and 'Aunt Haddie's' health.

The file also contains a letter from Mary to Jackie. Within the letter Mary discusses The Birr Show catalogue and rich Americans who will be attending.

Letter from Gay White , Lissiniskey, Nenagh dated 13 July 1922. The letter describes Gay experience during the Irish Civil War.

'My dear Tom,
Yours of the 10th to hand. I think since the 29th of June we have had no post here. Dreadful things have happened since I wrote you April 25th. I left Rathurbet April 30th & went to Ballygibbon. On May 15th a body of men took forcible possession of 30 acres of land there. They cut trees down, yet returned. We were left with 9 cows to milk, calves & all sorts of fowl, young & old to feed. Over 90 sheep & lambs to care, all the work of the house to do. Well we did it. The sheep were the great trouble, it was the time for them to be dipped, washed & shorn. They could not be dipped or washed but Betty, Lilla & David sheared all the sheep, but we lost a good many on account of the sheep not being dipped. They got full of maggots. It was dreadful. The cows were easily managed, we all milked them. I got quite good at it I did two night & morning. We just worked all day. On the night of June 14th we had dreadful raid starting about 2.30. The raiders smashed every window & the hall door first. We had collected in one room, they rushed into it. David & Betty were badly beaten by them with their clenched fists. Lilla was not so badly beaten & Poll only got one blow on her face, we were in a dark room most of the time, it was hell. I escaped without a blow. Over & over they held revolvers & shotguns at us & said they would shoot us. They did awful mischief in the house, breaking china & table glass, drank all whiskey & claret. They emptied every drawer out on the floor, Oh such a state - the dirty swine- they left the place in. They stole heaps of things, especially belongings, one thing was my dressing case.'

File of diaries belonging to Benjamin Bloomfield Trench. The file contains diaries for the years 1868, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875 and 1876.

Benjamin used these diaries to record appointments, social gatherings and the weather.

Four diaries belonging to Dora Turnor.

Within the diaries Dora discusses her childhood and her activities with her siblings. On 12 January 1871 she writes 'Did lessons till half past 11, then went out with miss Maclean & Bert, we went down to the farm pond. I watched, Bert & Mr Ash skating. Bert skates alone now, & can go all round, the place that is swept without a tumble, of course she goes very slowly, then Miss Maclean & I walked down to the Brickyard, then came back, I walked home with Freddie & Bert (Mr Ash, never comes up to lunch, he always takes [the buns in his jacket]). After lunch, sat in the schoolroom with Miss Maclean , working till 4, then did lessons, till half past 6, Bert did not come in till a quarter to 5 so, she had not finished her lessons till7. From half past 6 till 7, I had a game of. G.B, G, with Freddie, in [Solie's] bedroom, she was then also , nursing Hugh. Had tea at 7 & from half past 7 till half past 8 sat in the schoolroom working, & the last 20 minutes writing my journal. Fine ? last night, Edie, Freddie, Charlie, Bertha, Mr Ash, were all skating this afternoon. Bert, Freddie & Charlie, all tumbling about, & going very slowly, Edie went a little further than they did , & did not have any falls. [Grose, ?] went to Grantham (they started about 12, & were back about half past four)...'.

Dora also frankly discusses her struggle with asthma and her frustrations with the impact it has on her life. On the 22 August 1871 she records the everyday impact of her illness. ,' Got a cold & asthma did not go out of my bedroom till Friday August 25th then went into Mama's bedroom. I also went into Mamas bedroom on the 26th. There is a nice little cat stairs which I cuddle all day.' By 1875 Dora grew increasingly frustrated with her struggle with asthma and chronicles this frustration. ' Oh this bitter, bitter life, how hard it is to bear! Feeling always ill, & unable to do much, being alone nearly all day, having nobody to talk to, & nothing to do except knit, seeing everybody going for nice drives & long walks by the sea. Being told, they have come here on purpose for me, & that it was such of expense, & bored Papa, & kept Bertha away from her hunting. I should been much happier alone with Miss E, & not half so much alone, as Bert is always taking her for long walks...'

File of diaries belonging to Dora Turnor.

The diaries chart happy experiences with her family and friends. On 23 February 1883 Dora writes about time she spent in the south of France, 'Went to Monte Carlo. Lunched with Murrays. Drove to see palace at Monaco. Sat in garden with [Thoralds], I went to hear concert. Home at 5. Staid (sic) in salon till 10 pm. Mr J sang. Very hot & fine.' On 27 April 1885 she writes, ' Left Mentone at 2.30. Had carraige to ourselves got to Pegli at 9.30 pm pouring, pitch dark & no bus. Went to Grand Hotel. Met Capt. & Mrs Pryse (Pau) at station. Got 5 bunches of roses & 2 presents. Fine, hot.'

The diary also charts her relationship with Benjamin Bloomfield Trench and significant events such as her wedding on 25 July 1889.
'My wedding day. Drove to the church with Edie & Bert, St. Mary's Bolton . Afterwards to Edie's house. Bennie & I left (dark blue & gold silk dress) at 5.30, arrived at Stoke at 8.40 dropped down from [?]. Dull, heavy showers am, fine pm.'

The diary also explores difficult aspects of Dora's life such as her fathers death on 7 March 1886. 'B & I went to church am. Went to Papa's room for a few minutes till 3- again at 5- all was over by 5.15 Papa never spoke or opened his eyes all day...'.

File of diaries written by Dora Trench which chart the last nine years of her life.

These diaries record the birth of her two daughters. Her eldest daughter Sheelah Trench was born on the 28 May ' 9 am Baby born. Eddie came at 11 p.m yesterday, & staid (sic) here all night also Blanche. Sent for Dr. Brodi about 12 p.m he came straight away again. He came again at 6 a.m & staid (sic) till 10 or 11. Chloroform from 6 till 9, took 2 oz.' The birth of her youngest daughter was recorded in Dora's diary by her husband Benjamin as she was preoccupied.17 Jul 1891 '...6.50 am baby girl born'

Her diary also records the sudden decline in her health and her eventual death in 1899. On the 27 March 1899 Dora writes about her final day before her asthma took hold, 'Shopped in [Brougham] & went to tea with Georgie walked home. Sheelah in with cold. Muriel to tea. Very mild, dull, showery. Thora went to 2nd dancing lesson.' Her death on the 7 April 1899 was recorded by Benjamin Bloomfield Trench who simply writes, 'My darling wife breathed her last at [Glebelands]. '

File of documents relating to an 1872 attempt to sell Loughton house.
Included in this file are an advertisement for sale of the house and a map of the house division of Loughton dated 6 March 1872.

File relating to Dora Trench's burial arrangements.
Included in this file is a letter from members of the select vestry parishioners of Borrisnafarney thanking Dora for her donation of £100 to the sustentation fund, and assigning Benjamin Bloomfield Trench a family burial plot.
Also included are a letter from Mr Dobbs regarding Dora's lead memorial panel and a photograph of the panel.