Letters from Elizabeth Montagu, (née Wriothesley, formerly Percy) Countess of Montagu to Rachel, Lady Russell (formerly Vaughan, née Wriothesley)

This material is held atThe Devonshire Collection Archives, Chatsworth

  • Reference
    • GB 2495 CS1/15
  • Dates of Creation
    • 5 December 1665 - 23 December 1689
  • Physical Description
    • 6 sheets

Scope and Content

These letters sent from Elizabeth Montagu to her half sister sister Lady Russell, cover the period when Elizabeth and Rachel remarried and became Montagu and Russell. It includes Elizabeth's news of who she has seen and the health of those she comes into contact with as well as updates on her children and reference to Lady Russell's children. There is also mention of a minor dispute about some ground between Mr Russell and Mr Montagu. Her letters include a description of the funeral of Christian, Dowager Countess of Devonshire (CS1/15/4).

Administrative / Biographical History

Wriothesley,Elizabeth 1646 - 1690 [m.(1)(1662) Joceline Percy (1668) Earl of Northumberland; (2)(1671) Ralph Montague, cr.(1680) Earl and (1705) Duke of Montague]

Lady Rachel Vaughan (c1636-1723) Married Francis Vaughan in 1653, widowed in 1667. Born Rachel Wriothesley. She was an avid letter-writer and author.