Manuscript Receipt from William Homer [Horner?], presumed London dealer in tea, addressed to Dr [Alexander Pudsey of Magdalen College, Oxford (c.1636-1721) with letter from Horner.

Author: 
[Early Tea Payment Receipt 1717]
Publication details: 
London, 5 Nov. 1717.
£180.00
SKU: 8846

From a small archive of Twining Family Papers. One page. crumpled fold marks, spotted, minor damage with loss of a letter or two (from "Pudsey" as addressee), text clear and otherwise complete, as follows: "Dr. Pu[dsey] | Boufght of William Horner Octob. 17th 1717 | Fine Bohea Tea [S[ellin]g?] at 20 [shillings?] -10.0/ Canister 6d ----- 00.6||£0.10.6| || Sir| On ye 17th Ultimo I sent you 1/2 [?] fo ye best Bohe Tea, & yesterday 10 ounces of fine Green Tea by Bartlett's waggon, both which, I hope will come safe to hand, I had no Green Tea that was fine when I sent ye Bohee, otherwise I Had sent them both together. Ye Green Tea now sent is of this last sale, & is superfine, I give you abundance of thanks for y[ou]r late civilities to me at Oxford, & am | Y[ou]r obliged, failthful Servt, Wm Horner | London Nov. 5th: 1717." It is addressed to the Rever[en]d Dr Pudsey | att Magdalen Colledge | Oxford". Pudsey was spoetime Senior Fellow at Magdalen and joined his colleagues in resisting James II's efforts to have Samuel Parker, Bishop of Oxford (and suspected Catholic sympathiser) elected President of Magdalen in 1687. This appears to be one of the ebvents which led to the exile of James (Glorious Revolutuion in the following year). Among the many points of interest of this very early receipt for tea is the fact that the Twining Family have seen fit to preserve it; that it is revealing on the London Oxford Tea Trade; and also reveals a promotional visit to Oxford by a tea (and coffee?) dealer of whom I have yet to find a record. Thomas Twining established a tea house in 1706.