Cliveden 1849-1868
Cliveden in Buckinghamshire was owned by the second Duke of Sutherland, George Granville Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1786-1861) and his wife Harriet, Duchess of Sutherland (1806-1868) for almost twenty ...
The History of Lilleshall
The image above shows an extract from George Plaxton’s A History of Lilleshall.
Clergyman and antiquary George Plaxton was a beneficiary and close associate of the Leveson–Gower family during the ...
Abstract of the Cash Account of the National and Sunday Schools in Lilleshall, 1827
The image above shows the Abstract of the cash account for the ‘National and Sunday Schools’ and also ‘the Clothing Club’ in the parish of Lilleshall, made in 1827.
The document tells us that the ...
Sir John Leveson-Gower, a Sporting Fellow: Fox Hunting and Horse Racing in the Early Eighteenth Century
Many of Sir John’s personal papers refer to his leisure activities. Letters and bills of expenses suggest that Sir John was a keen sportsman, involved in fox hunting, cock fighting and horse racing.
Sir ...
Sir John Leveson-Gower at Home: Building a Library at Trentham
Amongst Sir John’s personal papers is a document entitled ‘An Estimate for the workmanship of the Carcase of a building design’d for a Library and Servants Room for the Right Honourable Lord Gower at ...
Sir John Leveson-Gower, Estate Owner: Problems with Tenants and Deer on Lilleshall Park
Sir John’s papers include letters which he received directly from tenants on his estates in Staffordshire and Shropshire, often sent when they felt they had been unfairly treated.
A letter dated May ...
Sir John Leveson-Gower and the Navigation of the Waterways: The Disadvantages of the Canals
Sir John Leveson-Gower was a prominent social and political figure in the House of Lords. Notable amongst his papers are two letters relating to Parliamentary Bills concerning the development of navigable ...
Sir John Leveson-Gower, Estate Owner: Problems with a Drunken Tenant
Sir John’s responsibilities as an estate owner extended beyond the management of land and overseeing of leases. As Sir John’s letters from agents George Cookes and George Plaxton suggest, the financial ...
Report on Work at Trentham Hall, 1839
Amongst papers relating to the remodeling of Trentham Hall in the 1830s is a ‘Report of Works’ which were being undertaken at the Hall. Dating 14th May 1839’, the report tells us about each room in the ...
Monuments of the First Duke of Sutherland in Trentham and Lilleshall, 1833
Following the death of the first Duke of Sutherland in 1833, monuments of the Duke were erected in Trentham and Lilleshall. The minutes featured above are from a meeting held at the Trentham Inn on 30th ...
Life on the Trentham Estate: Much Ado About Nothing
Amongst correspondence relating to life on the Trentham Estate is an intriguing letter sent to Lord Gower by a man named Richard Walklate. Richard’s letter tells us about his personal history and customs ...
Life on the Trentham Estate: Family Poverty in Trentham
Richard Watkin wrote to Lord Gower at the end of the eighteenth century concerning cottages which his family had owned in Trentham. Richard’s letter tells us that his father had absconded from Trentham ...
Life on the Trentham Estate: Trentham Sunday School
In May 1803 Mr. J. Blunt wrote to the Leveson-Gower family about establishing Sunday schools in the Parish of Trentham. Blunt’s letter provides intriguing social comment on religious ignorance and religious ...
Life on the Trentham Estate: Trentham Parish Church
Papers relating to life on the Trentham Estate include a ‘Proposal’ made by Freeholders and Parishioners from Trentham concerning ‘the Bells’ at Trentham Parish Church.
The Freeholders and Parishioners ...
Life on the Trentham Estate: The Stables at Trentham Hall, 1778
Papers relating to life at Trentham Hall include many documents telling us about the architectural design and layout of the Hall and its outbuildings during the late eighteenth century. The document above ...
Life on the Trentham Estate: The Steward’s Room at Trentham Hall
In 1779 renovations were made to the Steward’s accommodation at Trentham Hall. The document featured above outlines proposals for a new Steward’s room at the Hall, complaining that the present room was ...
Life on the Trentham Estate: Plate at Trentham Hall, 1793-1799
In 1793 agents at the Estate Office at Trentham Hall produced an inventory of plate at the Hall. The document, shown above, is annotated with writing which indicates that the inventory was correct in ...
Life on the Trentham Estate: Farming, 1804
In March 1804 Mr. Owen compiled a scheme for ‘Cultivating the Demesne Land at Trentham Hall'. The document featured above describes the agricultural lands which surrounded Trentham Hall and the proposals ...