244 
Foster of Marlborough. 
As a somewhat inaccurate account of Sir Michael Foster’s family 
was published in Mr. Waylen’s “ History of Marlborough,” page 
392, the following pedigree has been compiled from authentic 
sources, and may, perhaps, be sufficiently interesting to deserve a 
place in the Wiltshire Magazine. 
Little else is required to complete Mr. Waylen’s account except 
that the following letter, written to one of Sir Michael’s executors 
by Hugh, Earl of Northumberland, at that time Lord Lieutenant 
of Ireland, will corroborate the historian’s testimony as to the 
Judge’s eminence in public life, and his general uprightness of 
character. It had been announced to the Earl, that Sir Michael 
had left him a legacy of one hundred guineas in these terms: “I 
desire the Right Honourable, The Earl of Northumberland, to 
accept of a Legacy of One Hundred Guineas, which I give him as 
a Testimony of the high Honour I have for him, and the most 
Noble House to which he is happily allied.” 
Dublin Castle, March 6th, 1764, 
Sr. 
It was a very sincere concern to me to hear of the death of Mr. Justice Foster; 
a man of his Abilities and Integrity is as great a loss to the Public as to his 
Family and Friends. The obliging mark he has left me of his kind Remem- 
brance I set a true and sincere value upon, as being a Testimony of the Regard 
of so worthy a man, whose character and person I truly reyer’d. I sincerely 
condole with you for the loss of so estimable a Relation and Friend, and at the 
same time return you my best thanks for your obliging Expressions of Attach- 
ment to me, which I should have done much sooner, but that a severe fit of the 
Gout has deprived me of the use of my right hand for near two months. 
I am, with great truth and Esteem, 
Sr Your most faithfull 
Humble Servant, 
NORTHUMBERLAND. 
Mr. Waylen has mentioned an engraved portrait of the Judge 
by James Basire, at page 397. There are three excellent paintings, 
