Documents associated with: funeral
Record 13 of 82
System Number: 05852
Date: 9 June 1867
Author: Ellen Traer[1]
Place: London
Recipient: JW
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler T197
Document Type: ALS[2]
124 New Cross Road
S. E
Dear Mr Whistler,
I send you a copy of the letter[3] received from Paris by Mr Child[4] -
His friend (Mr Morgan[5]) has applied to a Mr Smith[6] for the information who has sent the enclosed reply
I do not see how we are to get the papers respecting the interment[7] [p. 2] as doubtless they are in the possession of Mr Haden[8]
Mr Child has seen Mrs J. Traer's[9] Solicitor and they agree that my poor brother's estate[10] shd be wound up by order of the Court of Chancery as Mr Haden and others are distributing the effects in proportion among the Creditors
What a delightful mortification for "the renowned" [p. 3] to be made to pay it all over again! -
With kind regards
Believe me
Yours very sincerely
Ellen Traer
9th June 1867 -
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. Ellen Traer
Ellen Traer (b. ca 1837), J. R. Traer's sister [more].
2. ALS
A black mourning border appears on page one.
3. letter
See G. Smith to Child, #05474.
4. Mr Child
Of Messrs Bailey & Child, Ellen Traer's solicitors.
5. Mr Morgan
Morgan, a Paris friend of Ellen Traer's solicitor.
6. Mr Smith
George Smith, undertaker.
7. interment
The interment of James Reeves Traer (ca 1834 - d.1867), partner in F. S. Haden's medical practice [more], who had recently died in Paris.
8. Mr Haden
Francis Seymour Haden (1818-1910), surgeon and etcher, JW's brother-in-law [more]. In April 1867, JW quarrelled with Haden over his treatment of James Traer. Traer died suddenly, reputedly in a Paris brothel, of alcohol related causes (see document signed A. Brierre de Boismont, #11801). Haden would have received the burial papers as he arranged the burial rites in Paris. However, he did so in what JW and his brother William regarded as disrespectful and perfunctory manner. On 26 April, in the heat of a furious row between the brothers-in-law in a Paris café, Haden fell (or was allegedly pushed by JW) through a plate glass window. Soon afterwards, JW and William initiated proceedings to have Traer's body returned to Ellen Traer in England, assisted by George Aloysius Lucas (1824-1909), art dealer in Paris [more] (see G. A. Lucas to W. G. Whistler, #02654) and a list of subscribers.
9. Mrs J. Traer's
Louisa Jane Holloway Traer (b. ca 1839, m. 1856), née Savage, wife of James R. Traer [more]. Louisa Traer (who may have been estranged from her husband) seems to have distanced herself from the proceedings to administer Traer's estate and return his body to England, creating a family rift (see Ellen Traer to L. Traer, #05849, #05850, and to JW, #05851).
10. brother's estate
Traer seems to have left considerable debts and neglected to appoint an executor to his estate (see Ellen Traer to JW, #05851).