Biography, Letters & Diaries S.
1 total work
William Holland was born at Tyrdan, Denbighshire, in May 1746 and died at Overstowey, Somerset, on 17 April 1819. From the Parish Register of Overstowey we learn: 'Upon the third day of September, 1779, William Holland Clerk B.A. took quiet possession of the Vicarage and Parish Church of Overstowey...'. He was not to remain quiet for long, as these fascinating and entertaining diaries reveal. Although most of the Diary is centred on the area of Bridgewater-Taunton-Watchet, the Hollands made visits to Bath and Bristol for health and holidays and to South Molton to visit Mrs Holland's sister. They also made one major expedition to London with breaks at Maidenhead and Reading. All these are very fully detailed, as is his correspondence with the Duke of Somerset concerning their interest in physiognomy. But most of all, it is the day to day record of his life at the vicarage and his many contacts, both friendly and unfriendly, with local inhabitants which will delight and entertain the reader for many a happy hour. 'Met the two Miss Rollins...trudging along in the dirty road with a servant maid attending. I never think young ladies appear to advantage when trudging along a dirty highroad by themselves and l would advise all ladies when obliged to pass through dirt not to draw their petticoats too high behind for I can assure them that they discover in so doing, more than is to their advantage.'.