Extracts from her diaries, together with Dickson's research manuscripts [11 vols.].
Extensive Late 19th-century Diaries
1. Benson, Frances. Interesting Extracts from the Diaries of Mrs. Frances Benson of Abbots Reading, and also Extracts from other Sources, collected by H.E. Dickson. Ca. 1895. 300 pages; red cloth.
2. Extracts from the later Diaries & Accounts. Ca. 1895. 260 pages; red cloth.
Two meticulously prepared volumes, together with related research material, for this elaborate record researched and compiled in the late 19th century, but incorporating earlier pen and ink and watercolor drawings by Frances and other family members. There are also earlier 19th century printed insertions, photographs, and skillful copies by Dickson of watercolors and drawings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Nine related diaries as follows:
3. Dickson. Registers and Deeds. 75 pages written in a large oblong folio ledger, inscribed “George Fred. Hayes Dickson, from his mother.” Pebble grain red cloth, with gilt borders.
4. Various Notes. A large oblong folio ledger, inscribed “George Fred. Hayes Dickson, from his mother.” With original photographs of family residences, and of family portraits from early paintings. Half morocco album, gilt banded spine.
5. Some North Country Families. 235 pages, and an index. With genealogies, notes, cuttings and insertions. Pebble grain dark red cloth. folio.
6. Deaths from 1576 to July 1911. 100 pages of hand-written notes and newspaper announcement cuttings. Roan backed marbled boards. Folio.
7. Marriages and Births, February 1911 to [ November 1916]. 32 pages of notes, cuttings and souvenirs. Additional blank pages. Roan backed marbled boards. Folio.
8. Genealogies. 24 pages. 19th century marbled paper wrappers. Small 4to. c1880.
9. Pedigrees and Notes from old Deeds, Wills, and the Cotton Register. Collected by H.E. Dickson, 1891. “To be kept as the contents have been collected with care and trouble by H.E. Dickson, wife of Arthur Benson Dickson of Abbots Reading.” 67 pages, with inserted genealogy. Limp morocco cloth. 4to. 1891.
10. Genealogies and Epitaphs. 77 pages. Limp morocco cloth notebook. Small 4to. c1890.
11. Newspaper Cuttings. July 1911 - May 1918. 40 pages. Roan backed marbled boards. Folio.
Cumbria Archives record her diary for 1825.
In 2001 19 volumes of Manuscript Diaries and Accounts of Miss Frances Benson of Abbots Reading came to light – 1812-1835. These were for the most part accounts of income and expenditure both for the estate and family consumption. Thus on 22 September 1829 she records “To presents where I was obliged to different people right shillings’ but the same day ‘to different people of servants and other things eight shillings’. However these are not only accounts and are interspersed with diary comments on the daily life of Abbots Reading, the visitors and sometimes journeys to Newcastle and Carlisle. Her last diary and accounts August 7 - November 4 1835 detail almost daily visits by a Dr Gilpin of Ulverston. On the death of William Gilpin’s grandson the large collection of manuscripts, letters, drawing and prints was divided amongst the Benson family, and to this day the contents of what was known as the ‘Gilpin chest’ are scattered among numerous descendants. Frances Benson. It is most likely that Miss Frances Benson was an early 19th century member of this same family.
This collection represents a detailed insight into provincial life in Cumbria as led by the smaller gentry in the early 19th century. It is unusual in being recorded by a woman who controlled the finances of not only the immediate family but also the estate. These two volumes now provide detailed information on her life and family. The earliest material is from 1754 and records correspondence between her father and uncles, and an original letter from her mother dated May 1777, written to her daughter at school, and noted as being “very valuable as the only letter of hers left, that we have.” Other family letters and
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