publisher/date: Betley Local History Society, 2008
pages: 254
paperback only
genre: diary
Every researcher dreams of finding a source like the journals of Ellen Tollet. Mavis E. Smith has an abiding interesting in the Tollet family, and has presented a lovely book, with illustrations, that gives a glimpse into the lives of this family.
Ellen was 22 years-old when she began her 1835 diary; journal 2 covers some of 1836 and there are entries in a third journal for the 1840s. A “parallel” diary by Sister Georgiana, covering late-1835 to mid-1836 are also included.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in the domestic lives of 19th century British women.
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links:
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I highly recommend the Nantwich Bookshop for purchasing such harder-to-find local publications; easy website, friendly service – and they might even supply a signed copy!
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The Telegraph‘s story on the Nantwich Bookshop
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The Betley Local History Society‘s official website features publications and meeting schedules
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The Chester Chronical featured a nice article on the book, and its editor Mavis E. Smith
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If you’ve read this book — or want to do so — please leave a comment
Georgian Gems, Regency Reads & Victorian Voices 
[…] In working on some ideas for Emma, I’ve been reviewing a book I bought a couple months ago (and which was delayed about a month, thanks to US Customs…), Diary of a Betley Governess in 1812. Editor Mavis E. Smith had won me over with her earlier book on the Betley Hall household with the publication of Ellen Tollet’s diary of 1835. […]
[…] am reminded to mention The Darwin Correspondence Project, and also that Emma was a friend of my dear Ellen Tollet (a book I highly […]
[…] of Two Teens in the Time of Austen may know of my admiration for Mavis E. Smith’s book, Ellen Tollet of Betley Hall; for instance, I mention being “positively engrossed” in this book of Journals and […]
Am trying to find a copy of this available online? Want to reach some history lessons to Y8 on the live of a real Victorian governess
Hi, K —
I’ve gotten my “Betley” items through the NANTWICH BOOKSHOP (mail ordered), in Nantwich, England.
Their website: https://nantwichbookshop.co.uk/
The Tollet books are all published locally, through the Betley Local History Society. I remember having a bit more trouble locating a copy of the last publication by Mavis Smith – “Letters from Ellen Tollet to Annabell Crewe”.- and ultimately was put into contact with the author (editor).
Email me: smithandgosling (at) gmail (dot com).
As you might guess, between ordering and mail, depending where you live, it could take some time for books to reach you.
In the above blog post, I mainly made noticed of the first book I came across – the fascinating “Journals and Letters from 1835” of Ellen Tollet of Betley Hall. Ellen was the daughter of a landowner, and this book’s details comes from her adult life. A related book is, “Diary of a Betley Governess in 1812” (also edited by Mavis E. Smith). This little book is the journal of the unnamed woman who WAS governess to the Tollet girls.
The originals are in an archive; I am not aware of photos or transcripts online, if that is the sort of “copy” online that you seek.
The books are a great resource, a look at nineteenth-century English life in the county of Staffordshire. Highly recommended.
k
[…] Ellen Tollet of Betley Hall: Journal and Letters from 1835; […]