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Offaly County Library Oxfordshire
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1890-1899

  • IE OCL P131/2/3/2/6
  • File
  • 1 January 1890-7 April 1899
  • Part of Loughton Papers

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]. '

Diaries.

Diaries belonging to Dora Trench (née Turnor), Benjamin Bloomfield Trench and Theodora Trench.
Each writer used their respective diaries to record signifcant life events, feelings and appoinments. They offer a unique insight in to their lives.

Trench, Dora

Diaries 1868-1879.

  • IE OCL P131/2/3/2/1
  • File
  • November 1868-31 December 1879
  • Part of Loughton Papers

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...'

Diaries 1880-1889.

  • IE OCL P131/2/3/2/3
  • File
  • 1 January 1880-31 December 1889
  • Part of Loughton Papers

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...'.

Diaries 1918-1925

  • IE OCL P131/2/3/3/2
  • File
  • January 1917-December 1912
  • Part of Loughton Papers

File of diaries belonging to Theodora Trench.

From 1917 until 1919 Theodora volunteered as Chauffeuse with the Red Cross's Voluntary Aid Detachment. Throughout the early diaries she writes about her experiences resulting from this volunteer work and the responsibilities she was required to carry out. Examples of such entries include one she wrote on 18 January 1918 she writes 'Evacuation 4.45 am breakfast 4.15. Cleaned engine a little. 1.30 went to Richmond football match & Austin lunchtime.' Another example includes an entry from 12 January 1919 'On duty all day (night duty) inspection 11.30'.
Theodora also uses the diaries to record her her daily life. On 5 February 1921 she records attending a concert, 'Concert Albert Hall (Samson & Delilah)' and on 23 may 1922 she writes about going to the Chelsea Flower show 'S & I went to Chelsea Flower Show. Very hot & [humid] but beautiful flowers...'.

Dora diaries.

  • IE OCL P131/2/3/2
  • Subseries
  • November 1868- 7 April 1899
  • Part of Loughton Papers

Diaries and notebooks belonging to Dora Trench née Turnor.
Dora’s diary documents her life at Stoke Rochford Hall, Lincolnshire, and at the family’s London home at Chesham Place, Belgravia, London.
The diaries chronicle her struggles with asthma, her family tragedies, her marriage, her children and her every day life.

Trench, Dora

Dora Trench death diary.

Diary written by Benjamin Bloomfield Trench which documents his wife's death. Within the diary Benjamin records her last words, visits from her family, breaking the news to his daughters and her funeral.

One exchange Benjamin recorded shows that Dora Trench knew her death was imminent 'When I came upstairs after dinner she said. "Come & sit near me, we shall not have more evenings together' I asked if she felt worse or had been in pain. She said "No I feel my end is near".'

Hullmandel lithographs

Series of Hullmandel lithographs of a view of the Thames, together with a printed 'Plan of the River Thames from Westminster Bridge to Blackfriers Bridge, showing the line of [the] new quay, as proposed by Colonel Trench, MP...'.

Important dates books.

Two calendar notebooks belonging to Dora Turnor.
Dora used these notebooks to record birthdays, death anniversaries and other important dates.

Letters from Dora Turnor to the Turnor family, 1866-1893.

File of letters between Dora Turnor and her father Christopher Turnor, her mother Lady Caroline Turnor, Bertha Turnor, Graham Turnor and Cecil Turnor.

The majority of the letters were sent to Bertha Turnor who is addressed as 'Tuz'. The letters were sent from across Europe as Dora visited places such as Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France; Menton, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France and Genoa, Italy. Topics covered within the letters include Dora's ongoing struggle with her health as she deals with asthma, her meeting with friends, her day to day activities, her husband Benjamin Bloomfield Trench and her impressions of the places she visits.

File also contain letters stitched into two covers from Lady Caroline Turnor (neé Finch-Hatton), Stoke Rochford, Grantham, Lincolnshire, England to her daughter Dora Trench (neé Turnor). The letters are of a personal nature informing Dora of her day to activities, news and dispensing advice. Contained with the cover are loose pages of household notes.File of letters sent to and from Dora Turnor when she was a child from family and friends. Her Friends include Josepha Martenson, Copenhagen, Denmark; Edith Holland, Kemerton court Tewkesbury, England; E. Blythe, The Vicarage, Hammersmith, England and Mrs Askew.

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