The Palgrave family papers (78 items) consist of letters to and drafts of letters by William Palgrave of Coltishall, England, and his sons William and Robert. The letters concern politics, family news, Robert Palgrave's work as registrar of the admiralty court at Gibraltar, and other subjects. Contributors include Charles Townshend; Thomas William Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester; and Thomas Denham.
The elder William Palgrave wrote 5 letters to his son Robert about life in Coltishall, England, while Robert worked for the admiralty court in Gibraltar. Other letters, including some addressed to Robert, refer to Robert's work in Gibraltar, particularly regarding fees and the court. William Palgrave's incoming correspondence, including 4 early letters from Charles Townshend, largely concerns political issues; one writer expressed condolences about the death of Robert Palgrave (March 6, 1805). In two letters, Thomas Denman discussed the case of James Roberton, a doctor who fled to the Netherlands after facing abortion-related criminal charges (September 13, 1810, and September 17, 1810). Two brief, undated extracts from the will of "Dr. Parr" concern bequests to the Palgrave family.
William Palgrave was born in Great Yarmouth, England, in 1745, the son of Thomas Palgrave and Mary Manning. He inherited an estate at Coltishall, England, from his uncle and resided there and in Great Yarmouth. Palgrave, a ship owner and corn merchant, was mayor of Great Yarmouth in 1782 and 1805. He married Elizabeth Thirkettle (d. 1805) on April 16, 1771, and they had three children: William (1771-1838), Thomas (1779-1859), and Robert (1780-1804). William Palgrave died on November 9, 1822. Robert Palgrave served as registrar of the court of admiralty at Gibraltar around the turn of the 19th century.
The younger William Palgrave was commissioned lieutenant of the Yarmouth Gentlemen of Yeomanry in 1798 and became customs collector at Great Yarmouth around 1805. He was elected mayor of Great Yarmouth in 1814, and became a customs collector in Dublin, Ireland, in 1826. Palgrave married Elizabeth Barker (d. 1863) on October 18, 1798, and they had ten surviving children: Elizabeth Matilda (1801-1869), William Barker (1802-1851), Thomas (b. 1804), Mary Elizabeth (b. 1805), Robert (1812-1841), John (1814-1868), Katharine (b. 1816), Charles George (b. 1818), Jane Ann (or Anne) (b. 1820), and Eleanor Turner.
