Letters from Lady Anne Powlett (née Vaughan), Duchess of Bolton to Dorothy Boyle (née Savile) Countess of Burlington

In these letters to Lady Dorothy Savile, Lady Anne Powlett writes of her nephew [Scroop Egerton, 4th Earl of Bridgewater]'s love for Dorothy Savile and his determination to marry her or be told more firmly otherwise by Lord Nottingam [Dorothy's grandfather]. Lady Anne attempts to persuade Dorothy Savile that her nephew's love is genuine and not owed to her fortune as suggested by Lady Mary [Dorothy's sister] and that he has £10,000 a year. She adds that if it is a higher title that Lady Dorothy requires, that he will soon be made a Duke and that she is sure they would be very happy together. She sends her wishes to Lady Mary. She later writes that Lord Bridgewater still has had no answer from Lord Nottingham and asks Dorothy Savile whether she is averse to the idea of marrying Lord Bridgewater and if so why, so that she can make sure Lord Bridgewater troubles them no longer with his proposal. She asks Dorothy Savile to keep her writing a secret as it is only done in friendship and for her eyes.

Lady Anne Vaughan was the daughter of John Vaughan, 3rd Earl of Carbery and Lady Anne Saville.1 She married Lt.-Gen. Sir Charles Powlett, 3rd Duke of Bolton, son of Charles Powlett, 2nd Duke of Bolton and Frances Ramsden, on 21 July 1713. She and Lt.-Gen. Sir Charles Powlett, 3rd Duke of Bolton were separated. She died on 20 September 1751, without issue. Her will was proven (by probate) in June 1752. Her married name became Powlett. After her marriage, Lady Anne Vaughan was styled as Duchess of Bolton on 21 January 1721/22.