Mention has already been made of Christopher Dowbiggin, uncle and guardian of Ann Winder Dowbiggin. In his will, Christopher Dowbiggin is described as lately of the Inner Temple, London, gentleman, and his niece, Elizabeth Dowbiggin, wife of Henry Faithwaite, is named as his residuary legatee. Christopher Dowbiggin seems to have spent the earlier part of his life in Roeburndale, and to have been a schoolmaster in that neighbourhood. Then he went to London and made a fortune. He died in 1736. As I write, I have before me an original franked letter of his, addressed as follows: --

"To Mrs. Joan (Thomas) Dowbiggin, at High Winder, in Robrandale, near Hornby. ffree." The letter is well worth publishing, and it is now put into print for the first time: --

Madam, I received your obliging letter by your son Gilbert, for which I returne you many thanks. You may depend upon my friendship and kindness to your sonns here as farr as it lies in my power. He that is with me I take care to give him both good incouragement and good advice, and for your sake will have particular regard for his well doing. I cannot but often reflect with pleasure how many pleasant hours and days I enjoyed in yours and your sisters company when I was a youth and under but mean circumstances by reason of the unfortunate marriage of my poor mother; yet then your family at Harterbeck were soe kind as to countinance me and always to bid me welcome to that place where my chiefe pleasure and delight lay, which was the only support I had then to sustaine me under the afflictions of my youth. I was in hopes last year to have seen that place and your sister and you once more, but I was prevented by unforeseen accidents. I hope still I shall be able to do it the next year, than which nothing will be more to my satisfaction. I am very sorry to understand by your sonn that you have been out of health this last year. I wish you had been nearer London, for I have a relation whoe is one of the most noted doctors in London whose advice and assistance you would have had without any charge; and if you continue ill if you will send me your case in a letter to him directed to Doctor Hale and inclose in it a letter to me you shall have his answer. If you think fitt to doe it you must let him know at the same time what you have taken and how farr you have proceeded in it, and of whome you have taken things, for then if they live in Lancaster he will write the Dr. and know perhaps more from him than he can from you of the distemper. It is my inclination to doe you any good office I can makes me thus free in advising you. I have my good friend sent by the Lancaster Carrier a box directed to you at High Winder to be left at Mr. Powell's Postmaster of Lancaster carriage paid. The Carrier sets out of London of ffryday next and will be in Lancaster in about ten days after. The box contains two papers of nutmegg 2 of cloves, 2 of mace, 2 of pepper 2 of sinamon 2 of double refined sugar one of raysons and one of currants with some paper, all which I desire may be devided betwixt your sister Jones and you, which I desire you will accept of as a pledge of my gratitude and of the love and esteem I ever bore to you and your family at Harterbeck. When you have received the box please to write to me that I may be satisfied that it came safe to your hands. Remember me to your sister, and when you write pray tell me who is liveing or dead and what alterations in Robrandale since I was a little poore schoolmaster there. My letters by the post come always franked to me soe that when you write to me may inclose any letter you please to send to either of your sonns under my cover and it will not cost them anything [small portion of the letter with one or two words, worn away] - quite tire you with this long scrawle soe shall conclude with my humble service to both your mothers.
Your most humble "Chris. Dowbiggin"
Tuesday, 15th December, 1719.

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