Fermor Hesketh (Easton Neston ) c.1220-1913, 78 boxes, ref. Fermor Hesketh and Fermor Hesketh (Baker)
Richard Fermor, a merchant bought Easton Neston from Thomas Empson, the son of Henry VII's treasurer, in 1527. Sir Richard Fermor (d.1661) was created a baronet in 1641. His son Sir William (d.1711) was made Lord Lempster in 1692 and built the mansion at Easton Neston to the designs of Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor. He purchased the Duke of Norfolk's celebrated collection of antique sculptures 'the Arundel Marbles'. Sir William was MP for Northampton 1670-1679. His son Thomas (d.1753) was made Earl of Pomfret in 1721. He was Master of the Horse to Queen Caroline and Governor of Guernsey. The Countess of Pomfret was a dominant personality in society and early enthusiast of the 'Gothick' revival. George, the 2nd Earl (d.1785) was notoriously extravagant, spending the fortune he acquired through his marriage to an Essex heiress Anna Maria Draycott. On the death of the 5th Earl in 1857 the estates passed to a nephew Sir Thomas Hesketh, 6th Baronet, of Rufford in Lancashire. In 1935 the 8th Baronet, Sir Thomas was created Lord Hesketh. Lord Hesketh sold the estate in 2005.
Archives of the Earls of Pomfret with estates in Easton Neston, Towcester, Far Cotton, Tiffield, Pattishall, Cold Higham, Bugbrooke, Shutlanger, Stoke Bruerne and Paulerspury, Twinstead and Lamarsh (Essex), Casterton (Rutland), Oxford, Horsepath (Oxfordshire), Little Compton (Gloucestershire) and Grosvenor Square, London.
A fine collection of medieval charters for Easton Neston, Hulcote, Towcester, Wood Burcot and Caldicote. Towcester court rolls 1660-1844 and Towcester Hundred court rolls 1699-1756. Bugbrooke open field regulations 1648. Rentals of 1570, 1694-1778 (with gaps), 1849, 1851, estate accounts 1802-1834, rentals & estate accounts 1856-1916. Mid 19th century papers on estate building work and some later plans, estate report 1872. Papers on turnpike, railways and minerals, and on lead mine at Grinton (Yorkshire) 1890-1913. Family letters 1729-1799 including ones from the 1st Earl's 'Grand Tour' and from Lady Juliana Penn. Papers on litigation between Lord and Lady Pomfret, late 18th/early 19th century and some early 19th century personal receipts. Accounts of Sir Thomas George Fermor Hesketh's world cruise 1879-1881, papers of 1st Lord Hesketh as an MP 1920s, early 20th century inventories.
(Correspondence and diaries of Henrietta Countess of Pomfret and her daughter Lady Charlotte Finch are in the Finch of Burley on the Hill archive in the Leicestershire Record Office.)
Papers of George Baker, county historian, including documents collected and copied by him. Amongst these are papers relating to Great Weldon 1402-1574 [probably from the Finch Hatton archive], papers on taxation 1640-1643, John Maunsell's minute book for the Commission of Inquiry into recusant estates 1657, papers of John Palmer, Archdeacon of Northampton on nonconformity and Compton Census 1669-1679 and the Town Clerk of Northampton's precedent book 1718-1740. William Taylor's correspondence and papers with and on John Bridges and the publication of his county history 1718-1743.
(Further Baker papers are in the Bodleian Library. Volumes of pedigrees with colour coats of arms transferred from Northamptonshire Libraries.)
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Finch Hatton (Kirby) c.1250-1953, 4993 docs. & 5 boxes, ref. FH
Principally the archive of the Hattons of Kirby Hall but with significant Finch family documents. The main collection was purchased for the Record Office in 2003 having been on deposit since 1930.
The Hattons lived at Holdenby originally. Sir Christopher Hatton (d.1591) was a favourite of Elizabeth I and her Lord Chancellor. He built a palace at Holdenby but nearly bankrupted his family. His cousin, another Christopher, who succeeded in 1597, sold it to the King and settled at Kirby Hall, a mansion Sir Christopher had bought from the Staffords of Blatherwycke. Hatton entertained James I several times at Kirby and was also knighted. He died in 1619 and was succeeded by his son Christopher, who became the third Sir Christopher, and also played host to the King at Kirby. He was Controller of the King's Household and was made Lord Hatton in 1643. Hatton was an antiquarian and friend of Sir William Dugdale. He exiled himself to France during the first years of the Commonwealth leaving Lady Hatton to run the estates. Between 1662 and 1665 he was Governor of Guernsey. His son Christopher succeeded as 2nd Lord Hatton in 1670. He took over his father's Governorship and was in Guernsey between 1670 and 1680. His wife and mother were both killed when a gunpowder magazine blew up in 1672 and Hatton narrowly escaped with his life. He was made Viscount Hatton in 1683. Hatton's main interest at Kirby was the gardens. Unfortunately his son William Seton, the 2nd Viscount and his brother the 3rd Viscount neglected Kirby. The title became extinct on the death of the 3rd Viscount in 1762 and the estates passed to the Hon. Edward Finch, a nephew, who was a younger son of the Earl of Nottingham and Winchilsea. He took the additional name of Hatton.
The Finches came from Eastwell in south Kent and had been granted the Earldom of Winchilsea in 1628. A younger son became Speaker of the Commons and his son, a Lord Chancellor, was made Earl of Nottingham in 1681. Daniel the 2nd Earl of Nottingham (d.1730) bought an estate at Burley on the Hill (Rutland) and married as his second wife Anne Hatton. Lord Nottingham was a Secretary of State under William III and Queen Anne. He inherited the senior Winchilsea title in 1729 and became the 7th Earl. Anne, the wife of the 5th Earl of Winchilsea was a celebrated poetess and is recognised today as one of the first women poets of importance. The 8th Earl of Winchilsea (d.1769) was First Lord of the Admiralty. On his death the Kent estates went to Edward Finch Hatton of Kirby. Edward's grandson George Finch Hatton inherited the earldoms of Winchilsea and Nottingham on the death of the 9th Earl in 1826. The Finch Hatton's ended up living at Eastwell rather than Kirby and the house was abandoned. It eventually became a ruin and is now in the care of English Heritage. The family had severe financial difficulties at the end of the 19th century. The 11th Earl (d.1887) was a bankrupt and the 12th Earl had to sell Eastwell in 1892.
Internationally important collection of political, literary, antiquarian and heraldic papers, principally collected by the 1st Lord Hatton, some by William Dugdale.
1st Lord Hatton's 'Book of Seals' containing 529 facsimiles of medieval charters, many of now lost originals, including a depiction of the earliest known seal of an English noble (before 1097), the first grant of the title of Lord Great Chamberlain to Aubrey de Vere 1133 and details of an honorial court c.1120-1140. Volume of paintings showing the ceremonial surrounding the creation of Knights of the Bath after John Writhe. Copies of John Leland's Itinerary and Collectanea and of the Cartae Baronum 1166. Copy of the Pipewell Abbey chronicle and register and cartulary of St Mary's Abbey, York 13th century.
Record of state events and funerals of the nobility in late15th/16th century. John Norden's 'Speculum Britanniae' 1595. Report on the rebellion in Ireland 1599. A life of Edward II attributed to Elizabeth Cary. Copy of Richard Edes' 'Iter Boreale' of 1584, poetry by William Strachey on the Earl of Somerset's marriage, 'Ricardus Tertius' by Thomas Legge. Posthumous 'meditations' of Dr. John Fell, Bishop of Oxford. Henry VII's regulations for the Palace of Westminster. Inventories of Lord Hatton's books and papers.
A volume of the Lord Chancellor's state papers 1580-1591 mainly relating to his county Lieutenancy, the militia and the Armada defence with later papers to 1614. Proceedings of the trial of Mary Queen of Scots. 16th century Northants. licensing records. Parliamentary journals 1592/3, 1597/8, 1601, 1620/1, 1623/4, 1628/9, 1640, 1642. Papers of the Governorship of Guernsey, 17th century including reference books copying documents back to 1203, studies and diagrams of fortifications and correspondence.
Extensive 17th century material for estates in Kirby, Gretton, Holdenby, Kettering, the Bramptons, the Weldons, Benefield Lawn, Deenethorpe, Brigstock, Elkington, Sulby, Wilbarston, Wellingborough, Moulton Park, Long Stanton (Cambridgeshire) and Hatton House in London. With 1580-1587 survey and atlas of the Northants. estates by Ralph Treswell. Gretton court rolls 1592-1761 and Little Weldon court rolls 1593-1765. Papers on the Lord Chancellor's debts prepared for his successor. Inventories of [Kirby], Clay Hall (Essex), Westminster house 1619-1622. Letters about the estate during the Civil War and mid 17th century bills. Sermons both copied and composed by the Rev. Peter Hausted 1630s/40s. Personal correspondence 1666-1705 including letters from Lord Grey de Ruthin (of Easton Maudit) in Paris and letters from Thomas Walker describing events in London and at Court leading up to the 'Glorious Revolution' in 1688. Account book of Lord Hatton as a trustee for Lord Grey 1675-1685. Household accounts 1645-1648, 1704-1706 and 17th century recipes. Papers on the gardens at Kirby, 1658-1660 and 1680s. Papers on the alms houses at Great Billing 1623-1857. Kirby rentals 1919-1951 and estate correspondence 1918-1926. 20th century papers on the Weldon quarries.
Seyton and Haslewood family papers including: Maidwell court rolls 1360-1452, 1574-1584 and account rolls 1290-1421, Kelmarsh court rolls 1276-1452 and account rolls 1418-1429 and Draughton court rolls 1361-1452 and account rolls 1417-1420. Deeds and papers for the Marmion estates in Lincolnshire, mainly at Helpringham and Keysby, including Keysby court rolls 1419-1441. Deeds for properties in Northampton including The Peacock 1456-1548, in London in St. Botolph's for the Dychand family 1515-1530 and for Moulton rectory 1545-1602. Papers on sequestration of Haslewood estates and Haslewood inventories 1681-1683.
(The 1st Viscount Hatton married Elizabeth Haslewood.)
Holt and Tresham papers including: Brampton Ash court rolls 1399-1448 and account rolls 1414-1442, building expenses 1433/4, Rothwell court rolls 1390-1420 and account rolls 1424-1434, Gayton court rolls 1394-1428 and account rolls 1421-1429, Islip account rolls 1379-1427, [East] Carlton account rolls 1428-1448, Church Brampton account roll 1426-1427 and 1451 survey of the Holt estates.
Fanshawe papers on customs under Charles II from the Office of the King's Remembrancer.
Deeds, estate and legal papers of Sir Matthew Jenison of Newark (Nottinghamshire) 1672-1743 and later papers of the Gordon family including Sir Jenison Gordon's bills 1821. Financial papers of George Mortimer of London 1596-1624. Official and financial papers of Francis Dee, Bishop of Peterborough 1634-1636.
(The 2nd Sir Christopher married Alice Fanshawe. Sir Jenison William Gordon married Harriet Finch Hatton.)
Early 18th century poetry by Anne Finch. Letter books of the 2nd Earl of Nottingham as Secretary of State 1702-1704 including on the Methuen Treaty with Portugal in 1704. Papers on the Union with Scotland 1701-1703. Trustees' accounts for the daughters of the late Marquess of Halifax 1710 – 1716. Papers on wrecks and wine off Wye 1699-1720. Letters of the 8th Earl of Winchilsea and his accounts 1717 – 1740. The Hon. Edward Finch Hatton's account book 1762-1770. His accounts for executorship of the Hon. Charles Feilding 1745-1763 and Feilding's own accounts 1737-1745. Edward Finch Hatton's log book for H.M.S. Seahorse 1807-1808. 10th Earl of Winchilsea's correspondence 1820s, 1830s including against Catholic emancipation and on The Orange Society. Correspondence on investments in the late 19th century Australia and in the Great Horseless Carriage Co.. Correspondence about 'The Cable' newsletter established by the 12th Earl 1899. 18th/19th century maps of Kent estates in Wye, Eastwell, Westwell, Boughton Aluph, Kennington and Hincksel. Deeds for Boughton Aluph, Kennington and Wye 1693-1825. Papers on Wye Grammar School and College and on Thornhill School (all Kent).
These catalogues are available on the National Access to Archives website, see related links below.
(Medieval charters and further papers of the 1st Viscount Hatton are in the British Library.)
(Further Finch archives are in the Finch of Burley on the Hill archive in the Leicestershire Record Office)
(The Lord Chancellor's Lieutenancy papers were published by the Northants. Record Society as volume 27 in 1975, edited by Jeremy Goring and Joan Wake.)
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Fitzpatrick (Farming Woods) – See Maxwell (Farming Woods) and Robinson (Cranford)
Fitzwilliam (Milton) c.1180-1940, 9975 docs. & around 400 boxes, ref. F(M)
Archives of the Earls Fitzwilliam, the Marquesses of Rockingham and the Lords Godolphin.
Sir William Fitzwilliam, a London merchant, purchased the manors of Milton and Marholm in 1502. His grandson, the third Sir William, was Vice Treasurer of Ireland 1571-1575 and then Lord Deputy of Ireland 1588-1594. He was also Keeper of Fotheringhay Castle at the time of the Queen of Scots's trial and execution. The Lord Deputy is likely to have begun the present mansion at Milton. The fifth Sir William (d.1644) was made Lord Fitzwilliam in 1620. William, the 3rd Lord, was created Earl Fitzwilliam in 1716. The 2nd Earl's daughter Anne married Francis 2nd Lord Godolphin (d.1785).
William the 3rd Earl (d.1756) made the defining marriage of the family with Lady Anne Watson Wentworth the sister and heiress of the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham. The family had large estates centred on Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire and at Higham Ferrers and the Harrowdens in Northamptonshire. The 2nd Marquess was Prime Minister 1765-1766 and 1782. They were another branch of the Watsons of Rockingham. The Hon. Thomas Watson (d.1723 ) was the third son of the 2nd Lord Rockingham who had married Lady Anne Wentworth, the heiress to the Earl of Strafford's estates in Yorkshire. He took the name Watson Wentworth on inheriting his mother's estates shortly after he had purchased the Harrowden estate from Lord Banbury in 1693. Watson Wentworth built Great Harrowden Hall between 1716 and 1719. His son Thomas (d.1750), who had become 6th Lord Rockingham, was made Marquess of Rockingham in 1746.
The 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam was awarded an English earldom in 1746, the original grant being an Irish title. William, the 4th Earl (d.1833) was an important Whig politician who was briefly Viceroy of Ireland. Charles the 5th Earl (d.1857) inherited the Marquess of Rockingham's estates in 1782. Like his father he was an outspoken politician and supporter of reform and was joint editor of Edmund Burke's correspondence. Lord Milton, his eldest son, had died in 1835 leaving a widow who lived at Haselbech (see Milton of Haselbech). Wentworth Woodhouse went to his second son who succeeded as 6th Earl whilst Milton was left to his third son the Hon. George Wentworth Fitzwilliam (d.1874). It passed to his son George Charles Wentworth-Fitzwilliam (d.1935) and then to his son William Thomas who succeeded as 10th Earl in 1952. William, Viscount Milton, the eldest son of the 6th Earl, went on an intrepid expedition across Canada with Walter B. Cheadle in 1863. On the death of the 10th Earl in 1979 the title became extinct.
The Fitzwilliam estates were divided into several groups. The original Milton estate included Marholm, Castor and Ailsworth, Etton and Woodcroft, Maxey and Deeping Gate, Northborough, Helpston, Lolham, Longthorpe, Upton and Walton, Peakirk, many properties in Peterborough and Alwalton, Farcett, Orton Waterville and Fletton (Huntingdonshire).
Lutton and Papley and Great Gidding and Morborne (Huntingdonshire) were purchased from the Watsons of Rockingham in 1827. Wansford and Stibbington (Huntingdonshire) were purchased from the Duke of Bedford in 1904.
The Harrowden Hall estate included the Harrowdens, Higham Ferrers, Irthlingborough, Rushden, Finedon, Hargrave and Orlingbury and Covington, Bythorn and Great Catworth (Huntingdonshire).
Harrowden was sold to Lord Vaux in 1895.
The Norfolk estate inherited through the Cremer family included Setchey and North Runcton, West Winch, Gaywood, South Lynn and Seech, Tilney and Islington and Clenchwharton.
The Lincolnshire estate included North Kyme, Billinghay, Walcot, Dogdyke, Chapel Hill and Harts Grounds.
The Nottinghamshire estate was focused on Eaton and Ordsall.
Yorkshire properties were mainly at Humbleton and Meux.
The original country estate of the Fitzwilliams was at Gaynes Park with properties in Theydon Garnon (Essex).
Extensive estates in the West Riding of Yorkshire from the Watson-Wentworths based at Wentworth Woodhouse. The main archive of estate records is at Sheffield City Library.
Fine collection of medieval charters for Castor and Ailsworth, Etton and Woodcroft, Helpston, Marholm, Maxey, Northborough, Setchey (Norfolk), Eaton (Nottinghamshire), Deeping (Lincolnshire) and elsewhere. Medieval manor court rolls, account rolls and rentals including for the Peterborough manors from 1304. Peterborough Abbey bailiffs' accounts. 17th century inventories in 'rolls', for Milton 1618, 1643 and 1659, and others including Robert Perry of London 1637, Nicholas Stringer 1637, George Williamson 1645, George Cremer 1656. (See also misc. vols. & papers series below).
Main series of rentals and estate accounts begins in 1729. (For others see miscellaneous volumes and papers series). Tenancy agreements 1853-1940.
Harrowden estate rentals and accounts 1745-1814, vouchers from 1735, inventories of Hall 1723, 1782 ref. F(WW).
Very large collection of 18th/19th century vouchers. Halkin St., London accounts 1820s (in X 1803).
Papers of Sir William Fitzwilliam as Lord Deputy in Ireland, late l6th century ref. F(M) Irish & F(M)C
Political papers and speeches of Sir Walter Mildmay, late l6th century. Sir William Fitzwilliam (d.1618) was his secretary, ref. F(M) Political.
Extensive private, official and estate correspondence from c.1514-1930 ref. F(M)C, (not catalogued after 1706), family letters seem to cease mid 19th century. Including letters from Henry VIII 1530-32 and Sir William Paget's letter book 1547-1549, a minister under Henry VIII. Cremer letters, late 17th century. Norfolk and Milton estate letters, letters about Lord Fitzwilliam in France 1661-1663. Interesting correspondence between steward Francis Guybon and 1st Earl 1683-1709. London Newsletters 1690s.Letters from Charles W/. Wentworth Fitzwilliam in America 1850-1854. Late 15th century letters from William Paston (roll 370).
An important collection of architectural plans of Milton, mainly 18th/19th century. Includes 1643 plan of mansion and garden, 1675 gateway, 1690 mason's agreement, 1693 account for carpentry, 1720 elevation of stables, 1725 new wing by Robert Wright, 1726 designs for new mansion (never built) by James Gibbs?, 1749–1754 designs for new mansion (never built) and extension of existing house, some by Henry Flitcroft. Accounts for extension 1750-1751 and estimate by contractor, 18th century plans for a London house.
'Miscellaneous volumes' collection includes rentals, surveys, estate accounts, court books and printed works. Fine pictorial survey of Maxey 1714. With late 16th/early 17th century household accounts, also 1690s and 1775-1826, kitchen accounts 1584-1591, servants wages 1628-1638 and 1772-1826. Cellar books 1773-1780 and inventories 1622, 1635 and 1728. Estate and household accounts for Setchey (Norfolk), 17th/early 18th century. Building accounts for Dogsthorpe 1579-1601 and Milton 1750/51. The 1st Earl's notebooks or almanaks. Travel journals, Low Countries and France 1663, voyage to East Indies 1672-1674, France, Italy, Bavaria, early/mid 19th century, the Rev. Stotherd Abdy in Berkshire 1770. Personal account books and bank books of the 4th and 5th Earls 1772-1855. Nassaburgh Hundred Subsidy assessments, 1580s, 1590s, Parliamentary journals 1640/41, Peterborough charity accounts 1740s, 1790s, election accounts for Lord Burford at Hull 1790, Higham Ferrers 1812-1831. Lucy Hutchinson's book of advice to her daughter 1731.
'Miscellaneous papers' series, ref. F(M)M, includes 17th century papers of the Cremer family and Norfolk estate with inventories 1645 and 1658. 17th century bonds and papers of Anthony Williamson of Tilney (Norfolk). Papers on Little Urswick school (Lancashire). 17th/18th century leases, memos. of sale, manor court papers for Northants estates. 17th-19th century inventories including Dogsthorpe 1601-10, Setchey (Norfolk) 1672, Edward Claypole 1748. Fitzwilliam genealogical papers, 16th century and 1820s. Papers on aulnage and subsidy of New Draperies 1595-1604. Peterborough and Nassaburgh Hundred Subsidy papers 1597-1610. Rate for plague in Peterborough 1665. Papers and voters lists for Peterborough elections 1666, 1727/8, 1747/8. Papers for building work, at Milton 1633, stables at Milton 1690/1 and 1725/6, gallery at Wentworth c.1800, Grosvenor Square house 1812/13. List of servants at Wentworth 1798 and rules. Some papers of 5th Earl including notes on servant Richard Massey 1849. Bailiff's accounts for Dale Abbey (Derbyshire) 1544-46. Some papers of the Stringers of Sutton upon Lound (Nottinghamshire). Housekeeping accounts of Anthony Moulsworth 1589. Roll of trained men 1605. Uncatalogued papers of Fitzwilliam Hunt 1880-1938 (X225-226) including accounts 1880-1888. Peterborough Quarter Sessions rolls 1700-1710.
Papers of Edmund Burke, ref. F(M)B, secretary to the Marquess of Rockingham as Prime Minister, and political theorist, (d. 1797).
Papers of Anne, Lady Godolphin and her husband Francis the 2nd Lord Godolphin ref. F(M)G. The family had estates at Baylies and Quainton (Buckinghamshire) and around Helston (Cornwall). Personal and estate correspondence 1740-1802, including letters from Charles Lyttelton Bishop of Carlisle and references for servants. Late 18th century household accounts and bills, including work on London house. Plans of the house in St. James's Place 1766. Papers on dispute with Helston borough 1768-1783. Lord Godolphin's account book 1743-1785 and testamentary papers. Nominations for Eton and King's College Cambridge 1765-1784.
The catalogues for the charters and rolls, miscellaneous volumes, the Burke papers and the Godolphin papers are all available on the National Access to Archives website, see related links below.
('The Correspondence of Lord Fitzwilliam of Milton and Francis Guybon his Steward 1697-1709' edited by D.R. Hainsworth and Cherry Walker is volume 36 of the Northants. Record Society series, 1990.)
(Swan mark rolls remain in private custody.)
(Sheffield City Library has further correspondence of the 4th and 5th Earl.)
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Foll (Culworth) 1611-1777, 63 docs., ref. F(C)
Culworth deeds and inclosure agreement 1611.
Freke Evans (Laxton) - The archives of the Lords Carbery with estates in Laxton, Bulwick and Ireland are in private custody or in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. The Northamptonshire Record Office has photocopies of correspondence with Humphrey Repton 1806-1809, his plans of Laxton Hall (Maps 5052-5063) and estate accounts 1803 and 1809-1814.
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