Mackenzie (Hardwick) 1361-1931, 119 docs., ref. Mac(H)
John Pendrill Mackenzie married Lucy Adelaide Thornton, the heiress of Hardwick manor, in 1859. The manor had belonged to the Wards of Little Houghton before the Thorntons.
Mainly Hardwick manor deeds.
Mansel (Sulby) 1638-1933, 1216 docs., ref. MS
Elizabeth Henrietta Mansel inherited Sulby Hall from her aunt Lady Elizabeth Villiers. Lady Elizabeth's husband the Hon. Frederick William Child Villiers had bought the estate after George Payne sold up in 1847. Rene Payne, a London banker had built the Hall in 1792 to a design by John Soane. Miss Mansel sold the estate to Thomas Guy Paget in 1912. The Hall was demolished in 1949.
Mainly deeds for estates in Sibbertoft, Welford, Sulby and Nortoft. Some Payne family deeds and legal papers.
(Some Payne estate papers are in the Fisher Sanders archive at the NRO.)
(The Paget family archive is in the Leicestershire Record Office)
Marriott (Newnham) 1541-1949, 663 docs., ref. M(N)
Robert Marriott (d.1843) was a farmer at Newnham. His brother Richard, a draper, established a bank in Northampton which failed in 1810. Robert was succeeded by an only daughter Maria West (d.1879). Richard was succeeded by a son Thomas James Marriott (d.1880) who lived at Perry Hill in south London. His sister Mary married John Percival, from the successful Northampton banking family. Thomas James's son Arthur William (d.1916) inherited the property at Newnham.
Mainly 19th century family papers and correspondence, with political leaflets from Northampton 1796 & 1807, recipes and household bills 1841-1844. Newnham parish records 1816-1827 and papers of Newnham Old School Trust 1930-1947. Letters from the Marriotts of Cotesbatch (Leicestershire), cousins 1832-1843. Papers on properties at Perry Hill (Kent), Priors Hardwick (Warwickshire) and Weymouth (Dorset). Survey and rental of Badby and Newnham 1541/2 and Badby manor customs 1590.
Deeds and papers of related families and for trusteeships and executorships:
Clarke of Temple Balsall and Leek Wootten (Warwickshire), Goodman of Badby and Staverton, Hartop of Ladbrooke (Warwickshire), Newnham and London, Hill of Northampton, Hurley of Newnham, Marriott of Badby, Percival of Northampton, Stables of Northampton, West of Newnham and Williamson of Northampton and Islington.
(Richard Marriott's draper's account books 1782-1794 are in the Northampton Public Library Collection)
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Matheson of Lochalsh - see Vaux (Harrowden)
Mathew (Welford) 1552-1896, 396 docs., ref. M(W)
Named after the depositor of the collection.
Mainly deeds for Welford, Ryton upon Dunsmore (Warwickshire), Pickwell and Leesthorpe and Husbands Bosworth (Leicestershire) and Stratford (Essex). Some 19th century school exercise books of the Gee family.
Maunsell (Thorpe Malsor) 1274-1937, 882 docs., refs. M(TM) & C(TM)
The 'Chibnell' portion of the archive, ref. C(TM) was purchased for the Record Office in 1982.
John Mansel (d.1626), the eldest son of Thomas Mansel of Chicheley (Buckinghamshire), was a successful London lawyer and land speculator who bought the manor of Thorpe Malsor in 1622. In 1728 the estate passed to Thomas Maunsell, the grandson of the first John Mansel's brother who had settled in Ireland. Anne Hill was the second wife of T.C.Maunsell and Caroline Cokayne Medlicott, the daughter of Anne's sister Barbara Cokayne Medlicott married T.P.Maunsell in 1811. The family remain at Thorpe Malsor.
A gentry family with estates in Thorpe Malsor, Rothwell, London, Kislingbury (to 1650) and Eardisley (Herefordshire), (to 1678). Inclosure agreement for Thorpe Malsor 1650/1. Love letters 1599 – 1602. Bills for loading ships 1617 – 1621.Important mid and late 17th century taxation papers for Northants., Poll Tax, Window Tax and J.P.'s warrants. Inventory of 1677, late 17th century newsletters, early 18th century music book.
Many records of related families: Correspondence of Daniel Conny of London 1646, 1658 – 1665. On executorship of Alice Downes of Pytchley 1654 – 1659. Cokayne of Rushton estate papers including steward's account and memo book 1653 – 1674 with rentals and inventories. Hill of Rothwell deeds and papers including 18th century papers on Rothwell horse fair. Pery of Cottingham including Co. Mayo deeds and Elizabeth Pery's letters on her separation and voyage to America 1840. King of Wilbarston deeds 1631 – 1937. Legal papers re. Mrs Barbara Cokayne Medlycott and the Hood and Tibbits families of Barton Seagrave, 19th century.
(There are further papers in the Cokayne collection)
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Maxwell (Farming Woods) 1637 – 1909 (uncatalogued) 21 boxes, uncatalogued
Farming or Fermyn woods was part of the Robinson and later the Fitzpatrick estate (see Robinson of Cranford) until the deaths of the Ladies Gertrude and Anne Fitzpatrick in 1841, the daughters of the last Earl of Upper Ossory. It was inherited by Robert Vernon Smith (d. 1873), a government minister and M.P. for Northamptonshire who had married another illegitimate daughter of the Earl. He was made Lord Lyveden in 1859. The 2nd Lord sold the estate to John Muir Gardiner in 1898. The Maxwells deposited the collection in 1967.
Deeds and 19th/early 20th century estate papers for Farming Woods, Brigstock, Benefield, Lyveden, Sudborough, Pilton, Aldwinkle and Thrapston Hill, with rentals and estate accounts 1898 – 1909.
Includes estate accounts and rentals for the Grafton Underwood estate of the Robinsons and Gowrans 1697 – 1764, a servants wages book 1742 – 1758 and Irish estate correspondence 1742 -1758. Bills for gardens at Ampthill (Bedfordshire) 1760s. Orlingbury Hundred court rolls 1719 – 1741. Papers on estate of the late Sir William Harbord (d.1692). Brigstock constables' account book 1716 – 1745.
(Lord and Lady Ossory's journal of visits to Farming Woods 1770 - 1826 has the reference YZ 4949 and appears in Northants Notes & Queries N.S. vol. III. An inventory of c.1771 has the reference YZ 4964.)
Milton (Haselbech) 1856-1908, 128 docs., part of Fisher Sanders archive, ref. FS 24
Lady Selina Charlotte Jenkinson (d.1883), a daughter of the Earl of Liverpool, married Viscount Milton, the 5th Earl Fitzwilliam's son and heir. Lord Milton died in 1835 before he could inherit the title. Lady Milton went to live at Haselbech Hall in 1856 with her second husband George S. Foljambe. A stepson inherited Haselbech and was recreated Earl of Liverpool. The estate was sold to C.B. Ismay in 1908. See Ismay (Haselbech)
Estate papers including letters from Lady Milton to her agent 1856-1882. Papers on alterations to Hall 1856/7 and on improvements to cottages. A few later papers on the Earl of Liverpool's estate.
Monckton (Fineshade) 1505-1893, 208 docs. and 19 boxes, ref. M(F)
Sir Robert Kirkham bought Fineshade Priory at its dissolution in 1545. It remained with the Kirkhams until Charles Kirkham sold it in 1748 to the trustees of William Payne King. King rebuilt the house and left the estate to his widow who remarried the Hon. Edwin Sandys. The Sandys sold it to the Hon. John Monckton (d.1830), a son of Lord Galway, in 1769. He was a Lieutenant General who had served in India. He married Ann Adams. Fineshade remained with the Moncktons until 1928 when it was sold again to Charles R. d'Anyers Willis. The house was demolished in 1955.
Mainly deeds and legal papers for estates in Fineshade, Duddington and Glaston, Lyddington, Seaton, and Thorpe by Water (all Rutland). Conveyance of the Priory 1545. Tixover (Rutland) inclosure agreement 1723. Accounts and papers for the guardianship of Ann Adams 1740s, 1750s with memo, book of contracts for servants 1765-1772.
Papers of John Bentley Ashley of Ashby St. Ledgers and his wife, and papers of her family the Pococks of London 1739-1763. The Hon. John Monckton was executor.
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Montagu (Boughton) c.1155-1875, 1837 vols. & 893 boxes, ref. Montagu
The Montagu archive is split between the Record Office and Boughton House. Some catalogued items may have been returned to the house.
The Montagus were a Northamptonshire family, who like their neighbours the Brudenells, first rose to prominence through the law. The future Sir Edward Montagu (d.1556) purchased Boughton in 1528 and at the pinnacle of his career was Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. His grandson Edward was made 1st Lord Montagu in 1621 although his brother Henry had greater success and was made Earl of Manchester in 1626. Lord Montagu, a Royalist, died under house arrest in 1644. The 2nd Lord Montagu married a Winwood heiress which later brought the Ditton estate into the family. Ralph, the 3rd Lord (d.1709), served as ambassador to Louis XIV several times between 1666 and 1678. Later, following his support for Monmouth, he was in exile in France. He married two great heiresses, the Dowager Countess of Northumberland who brought him Wriothesley estates in Hampshire and Warwickshire and the Dowager Duchess of Albermarle, who brought him estates in north Lancashire. The Duchess of Albermarle was confined, suffering from delusions that she was the Empress of China. Montagu was absorbed by a passion for French culture and had Boughton and his London House rebuilt in a French manner. He was a lavish collector and patron and ran the Mortlake tapestry manufactory between 1674 and 1691. He was created Duke of Montagu in 1705. John, the 2nd Duke (d.1749) was a Colonel in the Horse Guards, rising to the rank of general. He was Master General of the Ordnance 1742-1749, and first Grand Master of the revived Order of the Bath. He was famous for his love of animals and practical jokes and planted all the avenues of trees that radiate out from Boughton. His only son died young.
His second daughter and principal heiress Lady Mary Montagu married the 4th Earl of Cardigan (see Brudenell of Deene) and the couple were recreated Duke and Duchess of Montagu. They preferred to live at Deene, the Brudenell seat a few miles from Boughton. Their only son also died young so the Montagu estates again passed through an heiress Lady Elizabeth Montagu to her husband Henry the 3rd Duke of Buccleuch and 5th Duke of Queensberry. Boughton remains a home of the current Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry.
The 4th Earl of Cardigan inherited the Duke of Shrewsbury's papers through his father the 3rd Earl who was the Duke's nephew and personal heir. Shrewsbury was Lord High Treasurer in 1714 and had held other high state offices under William III and Queen Anne.
Archives of the Dukes of Montagu with estates in Boughton, Weekley, Warkton, Geddington, Newton Le Willows, Little Oakley, Brigstock, Grafton Underwood (from 1748), Cranford St. Andrew, Barton Seagrave, Kettering, Broughton, Hanging Houghton, Twywell, the Barnwells, Armston, Polebrook, Hemington, Kingsthorpe by Oundle, Luddington, Coppingford and Winwick (both Huntingdonshire). The liberties and hundreds of Huxloe, Navisford and Polebrook and the Honour of Gloucester Fee. Dunchurch, Newbold and Cosford, Newnham Regis, the Lawfords, Thurlaston, Causton, Princethorpe and Toft (Warwickshire), Ditton and Datchett (Buckinghamshire), (from 1688) Beaulieu, Ipley, Culverly, Farrington and Lymington (Hampshire), Ulverston, Dalton in Furness and Clitheroe (Lancashire). The Barnwells were sold to Henry Czarnikow in 1913.
Brigstock court rolls 1287-1348, medieval court rolls for Foxley and Sparham (Norfolk) and Chalvey (Buckinghamshire). Charters for Polebrook and Armston. Survey of Lowick and Aldwinckle chantry estates 1546. Rockingham Forest papers. Stewards' correspondence 1692-1795 (various estates). Estate accounts and rentals: Boughton estate 1690-1912, Barnwell 1700-1917, Warwickshire 1719-1918, Furness 1742-1899 and Ditton 1721-1895. Rent audit minute 1739-1771 (various estates) and cropping books 1821-1841. Atlas of Lancashire estates c.1730. Vouchers from 1719 (various estates). Vouchers for Montagu House, London and house at Richmond 1809-1828. Inventories for Boughton, Ditton Park and London houses 1684-1820.
Family and official correspondence 1570-1765. 1st Lord Montagu's papers on levies and musters, purveyance and recusancy etc. His parliamentary journals 1640-41. Steward's accounts for the 2nd Duke 1772-1742 with servants' wages. Papers of the 2nd Duke at the Ordnance and on settlement of islands of St Lucia and St Vincent 1720-1735. Genealogical papers including letters from John Anstis Garter King of Arms to 2nd Duke 1718-1743. Duke of Montagu's private account books 1753 – 1776. Charles Lamotte's papers as vicar of Warkton 1714 – 1735. Late 17th/18th century deeds and legal papers of Popham family.
Correspondence and papers of the Duke of Shrewsbury 1673-1713 including draft cabinet minutes 1695-96, Admiralty papers 1695-96, his travel journal to France, Geneva, Italy, Germany and The Netherlands 1700-1706 and letters from William III.
Private and official letters of Ralph Winwood (d.1617) as agent in France 1599-1603, ambassador in Holland 1603-1613 and as Secretary of State 1614-1617. (Restrictions on access due to conservation).
Letters to the Duke of Albermarle 1673-1688 including from West Indies and Devon.
Peterborough Abbey sacrist's register 1404. Memoirs of the Duke of Berwick in French.
(A large archive of material remains at Boughton, other estate records and deeds were destroyed by bombing during the Second World War.)
(Steward's accounts 1706-1720 and 1724 are in the Antonie Archive at the Bedfordshire Record Office.)
(The family correspondence, Winwood papers and Shrewsbury papers were calendared by the Historical Manuscripts Commission.)
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Murchison (Hargrave) 1825-1942, c.110 docs ref. Murchison
Sir Charles Kenneth Murchison (d. 1952) purchased Hargrave Hall from the Baker family in 1909. He was the son of Dr. Charles Murchison (d. 1879 ). Sir Charles was a London County Councillor 1907 – 1910, M.P. for East Hull 1918 – 1922 and M.P. for Huntingdonshire 1922 – 1927. He was deputy Chairman of Northants. Quarter Sessions.
The papers, correspondence, scrapbooks and photograph albums of Dr. Charles and Sir Charles Kenneth Murchison. Genealogical papers on the Murchisons. Diary for Hargrave church restoration 1869 – 1871.
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