Eliza Pretyman to her sister: January 1806

On January 15, 1806, Eliza Pretyman wrote to her sister about William Pitt's weakened state, insisting that “…Bark [the overuse of strong opiates] and Quiet are strongly enforced…” [1] Mrs. Pretyman also mentioned that her husband, Bishop Tomline, had gone to Pitt's house at Putney to be with him. To emphasise Pitt's gentle, sympathetic nature, she also related how Pitt lamented taking the Bishop away from his family. "Mr. Pitt is greatly reduced, but in good spirits. He accepted the Bishop’s offer to continue with him “most gladly for himself,” but like himself, “regretted taking him from his family,” naming me [Elizabeth] in the kindest manner possible.” [2] 

Sadly, Pitt died eight days later. The day after his death, Elizabeth Pretyman wrote again to her sister to convey the melancholy news:

“…You know Mr. Pitt is withdrawn from the World - from us - and you will conceive in part - you cannot wholly, what we feel. But God be thanked for the happiness we have enjoyed in the “most close and uninterrupted friendship” (to use his own invaluable words in his Letter to the King when urging the Appointment to [the Archbishopric of] Canterbury), with such an unequalled character from his Childhood to his Death, and for the blessings we still possess through his means! They are dearer from that thought. The Bishop [who was Pitt's former tutor as well as a personal friend] is all resignation and composure. I need not tell you he feels inexpressibly comforted in having stayed with him to the last - in having prayed with him, and witnessed the calm, humble, and religious frame of his mind, and trust in the mercy of God for happiness - which I humbly trust he has begun to enjoy. Judge of my beloved Husband’s feelings when His dying friend took hold of his hand, and said, “I know not how to thank you sufficiently for all your kindness to me throughout life….” [3]

Eliza and her husband owed much to Pitt's kindness and patronage over the years, not least of which to his patronage and religious preferment. George Pretyman had been appointed the Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral, and later he became the Bishop of Lincoln. He became known as George Pretyman Tomline, or Bishop Tomline, and this was almost entirely due to Pitt's benefaction and elevation. After Pitt's death, Tomline would become the Bishop of Winchester. The passing reference Eliza makes to Pitt's urging [King George III] to appoint Tomline to the position of the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1801 was another strenuous, although ultimately unsuccessful, effort on Pitt's part to elevate his friend. The Pretymans could truly say that they owed much to Pitt's friendship. 

Nevertheless, Elizabeth arguably flaunted her intimacy with the late Premier by asserting that “…no one who did not intimately  know Mr. Pitt can form any idea of the affection his heart, disposition, and manners united with his talents for conversation (not to mention any other), could not fail to excite in the breast of his chosen friends. I am happy that I saw him so lately - and in a way so gratifying to my feelings - No “picture” can equal the likeness indelibly engraved on my heart…” [4] Pitt's death was an inexpressible loss to his friends, but one does wonder just how close the Pretymans were to Pitt.

References:

1. The Kent History & Library Centre, Maidstone. Elizabeth Pretyman to her sister, January 15, 1806. Pitt MSS: U1590/S5/C55.

2. Ibid.

3.The Kent History & Library Centre, Maidstone. Elizabeth Pretyman to her sister, January 24, 1806. Pitt MSS: U1590/S5/C55.

4. Ibid.