Davidge (Little Houghton) 1590-1860, 57 boxes, ref. D(LH)
Christopher Smyth, a Northampton solicitor, purchased the Ward estate at Little Houghton at the beginning of the 19th century. His nephew William Tyler Smyth (d.1838) lived at Little Houghton House. Christopher Smyth (d.1934) was chairman of the county Quarter Sessions. His daughter married Cecil Vere Davidge, the son of Professor Cecil William Davidge of Kingsthorpe (d.1936) who had worked for the Japanese government.
There are no personal or family papers in the collection which mainly consists of deeds for properties in the Houghtons and Brafield, 19th century farm accounts and inventory of mansion 1872.
The collection of deeds is currently being catalogued.
Dolben (Finedon) 1414-1924, 231 docs., ref. D(F)
Gilbert Dolben, the eldest son of John Dolben, Archbishop of York (d.1686) married a coheiress of Finedon manor in 1682. Dolben was created a baronet in 1704 and was M.P. for Ripon 1685-1687, Peterborough 1689-1698, 1701-1710 and Yarmouth 1701-1720. His grandson Sir William also sat in the Commons as M.P. for Oxford University 1768 and 1780-1806 and Northamptonshire 1768-1774. On the death of Sir John English Dolben, the 4th Baronet the estate passed to his daughter Frances. Her husband William Harcourt Isham Mackworth (d.1872), a younger son of Sir Digby Mackworth, took the additional surname Dolben. All 3 of Mr Mackworth-Dolben's sons died young. Digby, who was tragically drowned in the Welland, had poetry posthumously published. His sister inherited Finedon Hall and after her death in 1912 the estate was sold. The house is now divided into flats.
Baronets with estates in Finedon and Pytchley. 18th/19th century poetry; including work by Digby Mackworth Dolben; sketches and correspondence. 1673 inventory, Dolben wedding anthem 1720. Sir William Dolben's papers on anti slavery movement. There are very few papers relating to the Archbishop.
This catalogue is now available on the National Archives 'A2A' website, see related links below..
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Dryden (Canons Ashby) 13th century -1945, 1119 docs., ref. D(CA)
The Drydens came from Cumberland following John Dryden's marriage to Elizabeth the daughter of Sir John Cope of Canons Ashby in 1551. His second son Erasmus, a strong Puritan and London grocer, purchased a baronetcy in 1619. He was High Sheriff in 1620 and M.P. for Banbury. His son Sir John (d.1658) was also a strong Puritan and Parliamentarian. He was M.P. for Northamptonshire 1640-1653 and 1654-1655. Following the death of the 3rd baronet the estate went to Edward Dryden (d.1717) another rich London grocer. The celebrated poet John Dryden was an uncle. Edward's son John became the 7th and last baronet in 1718. Sir John was a friend of the novelist Samuel Richardson. On Lady Dryden's death in 1791 the estates passed to a niece Elizabeth who married Sir John Turner, 4th Baronet of Ambrosden, Oxfordshire. The Dryden baronetcy was recreated for him in 1795. Sir Henry Dryden the 4th baronet (d.1899) was a notable historian and archaeologist. His only daughter Alice, Mrs Marcon (d.1956) was a photographer. The last baronet Sir Arthur died in 1938 and Canons Ashby passed to a nephew who took the name Dryden. The house was given to the National Trust in 1981.
Baronets with estates at Canons Ashby, Little Preston, Moreton Pinkney, Woodford and Hinton, Blakesley, Chesterton and Haddon (Huntingdonshire), Hodnell, Radbourne and Itchington (Warwickshire) and Freiston (Lincolnshire). Fine estate and household accounts 1654-1655 (Hunts. estate), 1668-1688, 1703-1727, 1770-1790 and 19th century, rentals 1737-1788 and early 18th century bills. Correspondence of 2nd Baronet 1640-1658. 18th/ early 19th century family correspondence including letters from Warren Hastings 1788-1837. Correspondence of Lady Dryden 1797-1824, personal and estate (Freiston), letters from her sister Mrs Ramsay in France 1805-1828. Inventories 1708, 1717/18, 1756, 1770, 1791, 1819. Sir John Dryden's Oxford accounts 1718-1723. 17th/ early 18th century poetry and recipes. Archaeological papers and architectural drawings of Sir Henry Dryden, correspondence 1824-1851. Early 20th century correspondence and estate diary 1912-36.
Muster roll 1546, Culworth open field orders. Correspondence and estate papers of the Wight family of Blakesley 1704-1795. A builder's and carrier's day books 1758-1767. Journal of the Rev. John Curwen's walking tour of Cheshire 1821.
This catalogue is available on the National Archives 'A2A' website, see related links below.
(Alice Marcon's papers and photographs are in a separate collection.)
(Further papers of Sir Henry Dryden are in Northampton Central Library.)
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