Overview
24 letters from author Hester Lynch Piozzi to architect Clement Mead concerning renovations at her Streatham Park estate near London.
Dates
- Creation: 1812-1814
Language of Materials
Collection materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on physical access to this material.
Extent
.4 linear feet (1 box)This collection consists of 24 letters written from Hester Lynch Piozzi to Mead from 1812 to 1814. Piozzi was very concerned with keeping costs low, as her finances were constrained and she was not legally permitted to dispose of the property. The letters suggest that Mead's responsibilities extended beyond the traditional architectural role, as he was involved with securing a tenant for Streatham Park, selling the potatoes grown there, and negotiating diverse landscaping and decorating issues with Piozzi's contentious daughters.
Biographical / Historical
Clement Mead (fl. 1762-1833) was first hired by Hester Lynch Piozzi (1741-1821) to oversee repairs at her Streatham Park estate near London from 1788 to 1791. He was the builder and architect for her Brynbella estate near Denbigh, Wales from 1792 to 1796, a relationship which ended with Mead successfully suing the Piozzis for unpaid fees. In 1812, he was brought back to Streatham Park to oversee another extensive renovation, working with Piozzi's steward Alexander Leak (1776-1816). Piozzi held a life interest in Streatham Park, but was not the owner.
Physical Location
b (shelved with bMS Hyde 70-73)
Provenance:
The bulk of these letters came to Maggs Bros. from a Mead descendant, and were then sold to Mary Hyde in 1969 Dec. Two letters (1812 May 16 and 1813 May 17) were purchased by the Hydes at the A.H. Hallam Murray sale at Hodgson's, 1952 June 19.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
*2003JM-59 (part). Bequest of Mary Hyde Eccles, Four Oaks Farm, Somerville, New Jersey; received: 2004.
Bibliography
Processing Information
Processed by: Rick Stattler
- Title
- Mead, Clement, fl. 1762-1833, recipient. Clement Mead letters from Hester Lynch Piozzi: Guide.
- Author
- Houghton Library, Harvard College Library
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- hou00268
Repository Details
Part of the Houghton Library Repository
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