Description:The Sutherland Papers include many letters which were written to the third Duke whilst he was away at school. Known as ‘Stafford’, the letters from his parents and sisters demonstrate the closeness of the Sutherland family. Their frequent communication, often poignant and amusing, tells us much about Sutherland family life in the nineteenth century.
One letter written to Stafford by his sister Elizabeth alludes to their father, George Granville Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1786-1861), the second Duke of Sutherland’s, interest in art. Elizabeth writes ‘we are sitting in Papa’s room, he is looking at the catalogue of the pictures of Bridgewater House, & he says that when he writes one of his, he will expect all the family to help him’.
Elizabeth’s letter reflects the family’s royal connections. She informs Stafford that ‘Mama is gone to the Play, with the Queen & Prince Albert in state. He is a very agreeable, clever person.’ Her letter also refers to the headmaster of Norwood School who was coming to dinner with the family. Elizabeth praises the work of the school, telling Stafford that ‘more than 1000 children who would but for this school be in extreme wretchedness or in the workhouse are taught what is necessary to make them good & happy, & a trade’.
Elizabeth concludes her letter by referring to a ‘mark’ which Stafford made on his letter to her, asking her not to forget him. She writes ‘I do not require to be told “Forget me not”’, before reminding him that his sister Constance ‘thinks of you often & loves you very much’.
Click on the images on the left to read more family letters.