Sir John Leveson Gower and his Household

Description:Amongst Sir John’s papers is a Bill of Expenses from Newmarket for April to November 1696 which is featured above. The bill lists expenditure on various items, including provisions for stabling animals.

A payment of over six pounds is listed ‘for horsebread’. In addition, five shillings sixpence was paid out ‘for butter for the Geldings feet’. There was also money required to pay for ‘8 quarters of oates’.

Other items listed include a payment of ten shillings for ‘4 quarts of brandy’ and one pound five shillings which were spent on ‘a frock & a pair of Buckskin breeches’. There are a number of entries for clothing expenses, including a payment of nine shillings sixpence for ‘a pair of stockings’.

Other payments include those for ‘bord’ and for men and boys employed by Sir John, including a payment of five shillings for ‘the man that drawes the water’.

This document, and the wealth of bills, account books and inventories in the Sutherland Papers provide an insight into the wealth and lifestyle of the Leveson-Gower family, telling us how they spent their money.