April 1814: A historic connection

Dawson Turner’s letter to Ellen Hutchins written ‘On This Day’, 26th April, in 1814, connects with historical events. April 1814 saw the defeat of Napoleon in the Battle of Paris and the signing of the Treaty of Fontainebleau in which he abdicated and was exiled to the island of Elba. The letter contains fascinating information about a huge celebratory meal in Yarmouth, people’s reactions to the peace and travel plans.

Read the full 26th April 1814 letter HERE.

Ellen Hutchins was still living in Bandon, where she and her mother had moved to the year before to get better medical attention than at Ballylickey near Bantry.

Dawson Turner wrote that he “felt such real and such lively pleasure” when, on 13th March, he received a letter from Ellen. This letter has not been found, but from what Dawson Turner wrote about his hope, trust and expectation that Ellen would come and make an extended stay in his household at Yarmouth (now Great Yarmouth) on the Norfolk coast and about her making a full recovery, we assume that it gave the news that Ellen was thought to be out of danger and getting better.

Dawson Turner called Napoleon “that wonderful man” and wanted to see the treasures in the Musée Napoléon but he wrote “business ties me by the leg & I must stay at home.” There is more on Napoleon in Dawson Turner’s next letter written on 24th July 1814 and this will be the next ‘On This Day’ post to be published here.

Image: Painting of Napoleon signing the Treaty of Fontainebleau, 11th April 1814, by Gaetano Ferri, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

1814 in letters so far:

3rd January Dawson Turner to Ellen Hutchins HERE.

18th January Ellen Hutchins to Dawson Turner HERE.

12th February Dawson Turner to Ellen Hutchins HERE.

And going back further:

1813 letters HERE.

1812 letters HERE.