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Letters from Wigham, J B to Charles Lyell, 26 February 1839 - 12 December 1839

 File — Box: Box 1.13
Identifier: Coll-203/1/290

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Mr. J. B. Wigham was writing from Heigham in Norfolk. In his death notice, dated 26th December 1851, in the Norfolk Chronicle, Wigham is described as "a Fellow of the Royal Geological Society, and was well known as having personally collected one of the best cabinets of tertiary fossils in the kingdom". Teh main themes of the letters are shells, Crags, Norfolk/Norwich, and Sand pipes, and they are summarised as:

  1. "Mr Wigham, Norwich Crag, Freshwater beds at Thorpe, Moonlight visit to Postwick Crags, Rev[erend] Hoste". Wigham mentions a dispute with Reverend Hoste and two of his men. The Reverand was annoyed as Wigham was digging/working on the Sabbath . Dated 26 February 1839
  2. "Wigham on Crag shells sent for inspection - on mode of occurrence of Norwich Crag, explan[ation] of letters on chip boxes". Letter features a Stratigraphic drawing by Wigham to help explain to Lyell rock/material/deposits layers he is finding in the crags. Mentioned Samuel Woodward (1790 -1838), English geologist and antiquary, born in Norwich - Wigham mentions Woodward's collection which reside in a museum after Woodward's death. Also mentions Sir William Hooker (1785-1865) who Wigham intends to write to. Dated 3 March 1839
  3. "Mr Wigham on Norfolk Crag conglomerate with shells at Crostwick". Dated 6 May 1839.
  4. "Mr. J. B. Wigham May 1839 on monsters & varieties of Crag species of shells". Wigham is discussing the handling and identifying of shells in which they have been sharing. He makes note of many different species some of which he believes to be a 'monstrous variety'. In the end he discusses trying to obtain as many shells and teeth as possible as he aims to create a cabinet. Mention made to George Brettingham Sowerby (1788-1854), and Mr. Wood - Wigham knows Lyell obtained Suffolk crag shells from him [could be Colonel E.R Wood, cave explorer and collector]. Mr. Colkett [unable to identify] is also mentioned. Dated 25 May 1839
  5. "Mr. Wigham on Sand pipes near Norwich 1839". The letters starts with Wigham telling Lyell that his last letter reached him while he had a "violent inflammation" of his eyes, caused by sleeping in front of a fire in wet clothes. Wigham mentions the sand pipes at Eaton as well as making reference to Norwich, Nottingham, Crostwick, Thorpe, Postwick, Heigham. On the third page of the letter someone [in a different pen colour and handwriting] has written "water colour" above where Wigham is discussing an oxidised material that creates a water colour. Dated 8 August 1839.
  6. "1839 Wigham on Sand pipes, with sketches" Note no sketches are included, though Wigham explains them in his writing. There are also multiple pencil markings on the letter, with sections marked with brackets and outlines. Wigham makes note of going to Bishop's Bridge, one of the oldest active bridges in England [built in 1340] at the western edge of Norwich's Cathedral Quarter. Makes references to Mr Rett [unable to be identified]'s estate, Mr. Ewing [unable to be identified] who had been studying the sand pipes at Eaton, and Mr. Colkett who he had given some clay to from the sand pipes in Norwich. Dated 23 August 1839.
  7. "Mr. Wigham on intended visit to Mundesley & on origin of sand pipes 1839". Wigham also makes reference to a museum committee meeting that he attended in which Lyell and Sand pipes were brought up as a topic of conversation. This letter has a bright green wax seal when most of the other letters have had red. Mention of Robert Fitch. Dated 14 September 1839.
  8. "Wigham on expedition to Mundesley, Ruston & Happisburgh species of fossil beetles 8 October 1839", Wigham discusses going to a public house in Mundesley to talk to fishermen about the beach and its sand, he tells Lyell the list of questions he asked them. This letter also has a bright green wax seal. Discusses a piece of mud that he has collected from Mundesley cliffs, he plans to dry it out and then wash it, asking Lyell if he has any other suggestions for methods. Dated October 8 1839.
  9. "Wigham October 30th on Mundesley deposit & projected tour". References to Mr Fitch and Mr Colkett. Dated 30 October 1839.
  10. "Mr. Wigham Dec 12. 1839, List of Norw[ich] Crag species wanted by him". Mentions Suffolk collection and pits [dug for sand pipes] there, and Mr. Colkett. Dated 12 December 1839

Dates

  • Creation: 26 February 1839 - 12 December 1839

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Full Extent

1 folder (10 letters)