Description:The Sutherland Papers include a huge variety of documents relating to life in the Leveson-Gower family's households during the nineteenth century. Papers relating to Harriet Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1806-1868), the second Duchess of Sutherland include bundles of accounts for personal and household expenditure kept by the Duchess herself. In addition, the collection includes accounts for washing, postage, and travel by cab and a series of tradesmen’s accounts for butchers, tea suppliers, grocers and wine merchants.
The Duchess and Her Wardrobe
Amongst the many volumes in the Sutherland Papers is a purple leather-bound book entitled ‘Duchess of Sutherlands Accounts’. The volume includes Duchess Harriet’s receipts and lists payments for her personal expenses.
The accounts reveal significant expenditure on clothing. Duchess Harriet would have had to maintain a very fashionable appearance in her prestigious social role. The volume includes a number of loose receipts for items purchased by Duchess Harriet. One receipt, dated July 27th 1854, is headed ‘To Mrs. Leiter, Court Milliner and Dress Maker’. The receipt for six pounds, sixteen shillings and sixpence was for ‘a Julle Bonnet Cap’ and also ‘a clear Muslim Dress over white Glace’ with ‘Garniture of Blue and Brown ribbons’ and a ‘Crenoline skirt’.
Click on the image on the left to learn more about Duchess Harriet's accounts and vouchers.