An extensive archive of original 18th.C. correspondence on contemporary paper relating to the Second Duke of Devonshire, William Cavendish, mainly featuring the conduct of his financial affairs and those connected with his land and property. Much of the correspondence in English was conducted by one Thomas Selwood on behalf of the Duke. There are also a substantial number of letters in French relating to property & finances there. The papers cover a period of approximately 40 years from early 18th.C ( perhaps late 17th.C ) until 1740. There are 165+ documents in total. A more detailed analysis can be found in the condition report. CONDITION REPORT: An Archive of original late 17th. & early 18th. C correspondence on contemporary paper featuring the names of:
Lord Galloway, Lady Russell, Jaques Robethon, Duke of Devonshire & his Sons James & Charles Cavendish, Mr.Vaughan, Mr. & Mrs.Lowther, Lord Carlisle, James Lowther Baronett MP,
Mr. Howard of Corby, Lord Lonsdale,
Mr. Wilson at Bardsea, Lady Russel ( & Russell ), Thomas Sellwood, C. Stocks, Bernard Cansanoon (?), Robert Sherard,
Mr. le Premier, Mr. le Febure, Duchess of Devonshire, Bishop of Bristol, Gallway ( including an 'immature' written signature), Earl of Southampton, Lady Anne de Grey one of the daughters of Henry Duke of Kent by his first wife Jemima daughter of Thomas Ld Crewe ( born Jan 1705, married Rt Hon Lord Charles Cavendish Jan 9 1728, dyed Sept 20 1733, leaving 2 sons Henry & Frederick), Lady Anabelle de Grey, eldest daughter of Henry Duke of Kent, by Jemima Crewe his first wife, born June 9th. 1698, married to Rt. Hon John Lord Glenarchy, Eldest son of John Earl of Breadalbane Feb. 20. 1718 by whom she had one son who died soon after her & one daughter Jemima afterwards Marchioness Grey. Died August 2 1727.
( Spellings as found ).
Locations including :
Chatsworth, Paris, Newmarket, London, Whitehaven, Southampton House, Kings Street Bloomsbury, Earl of Galway's Estate in France,
Some of the letters retain the original embossed wax seals affixed after being folded before dispatch.
Contents concern Finances, Estates, Indentures, Wills, Letters of Attorney, Abstract of letters, Family Trees & a Contract de Marriage,
Individuals and 'groups' featured or referred to are Solicitors, Family members, relatives, servants, Lords & Ladies, East India Company, South Sea Company.
Much of the correspondence in English appears to have been conducted by Thomas Selwood who may have been the Duke of Devonshire's legal representative or secretary.
There are in the region of 165 separate documents, a proportion being written in French, the remainder in English.
Languages employed are English, in an early 18thC format, French similarly so.
A proportion of the documents have been affected by damp and possibly mould to varying extents but are now in a 'dry,' preserved state. Some are fragmenting a little at the basal margin They would no doubt benefit from further restoration and conservation in an appropriate archival environment.
Financial amounts featured include 60000 Livre and other amounts I'm pounds sterling.
Dates referred to range from 1634 - 1740