This group of material is made up of letters, memoranda, receipts, wills, warrants, bond papers and certificates created and kept by William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire mostly from the period of his life during which he was the 3rd Duke (1729-1755).
These letters are largely written to Lord Hartington, the 3rd Duke's son and heir and provide insight into the 3rd Duke's involvement with political affairs, family affairs and estate matters. The letters from the Duke of Devonshire to his son Lord Hartington, who he addresses "Dear Sir", are largely written from Chatsworth and London.
He also writes letters to: Mr Gisborne (CS1/163/24); the Primate and Brabazon Ponsonby, Earl of Bessborough on 25 March 1755 (CS1.163/48, CS1/163/49), Lord William Manners, the Duke of Newcastle, Mr Conway, Henry Fox
The main themes dealt with in these letters and papers are as follows:
Jacobite Rebellion: September - December 1745
The Jacobite Rebellion is first announced to Lord Hartington by his father at the beginning of September 1745, when he writes to request Hartington leave Londesborough in order to assist him in the defence against the uprising, throughout these letters he sends request to Hartington concerning quashing the rebellion. In his letters he provides information about the marches of the rebels from the Highlands down to Edinburgh, Carlisle, Manchester and Derbyshire. He writes of the movement of movements of the loyalists and rebel armies and the French threat of invasion from the South to assist the rebels in the North. He also writes in detail about the raising of militias and the King's intervention required for county lieutenants to raise troops. Warrants for powers to raise militias and seize arms are included in this material. He also writes about accounts and letters he's received from various parties concerning the rebels. There is also mention of rewards and promises of pardon from the government to accomplices who reveal rogue rebels.
Family matters
Family-related topics included in these letters include: the Duchess of Devonshire's objection to the marriage between her son Lord Hartington and Lady Charlotte Boyle; the settlement and Act of Parliament required between the 3rd Duke and Lord and Lady Burlington relating to the proposed marriage of son Lord Hartington and Lady Charlotte Boyle; details surrounding the jointure for Lady Charlotte Boyle and Sir William Abdy's remarks about the settlement; logistics of family members travelling to meet each other including Lady Rachel Cavendish (later Walpole), Caroline, Lady Duncannon and Lady Hartington; references to his family at Chiswick; references to his grandchildren, particularly in relation to their health and their inoculation against smallpox; the death of Mrs Elkins and some things of value belonging to Lord Hartington in her custody.
Vacancies, recommendations and appointments to official posts
Many of the letters refer to recommendation the 3rd Duke has received or vacant posts he knows of, including: the Dean of Canterbury and the Bishop of Winchester; the Duke of Marlborough requesting his vote to be a governor of the Charter House; the Archbishop of York; the appointment; a letter of recommendation for Major Burton to succeed Colonel Hall; a recommendation of Dr Stewart for a vacancy that may come up for Irish clergy; a recommendation for Mr Caz via Lord Ravensworth who wishes to be a lieutenant; a recommendation for Dr Phillips who also wishes to be considered for the long list of chaplains.
Political affairs
These letters include reference to: general elections with particular focus on seats in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire; election of aldermen for Derby; unrest in Derby as reported by Thomas Gisborne and Alexander Barker; a squabble amongst the Lord Justices of Derby; French politics; debates and petitions in the Houses of Parliament; the Duke of Newcastle's administration; his objection to foreign subsidies; his meetings with the Duke of Newcastle, Henry Fox and Conway.
By far the largest political topic in these letters is the administration of Ireland under Lord Hartington (from 1755). The 3rd Duke offers his advice and input especially regarding Lord Hartington's wish to back the general public consensus to remove the current Primate from Government in order to calm unrest. The letters follow Lord Hartington's initial intentions and then the progression of his governance as the Duke of Newcastle and the Ponsonbys become obstructive in the outright removal of the Primate and Lord Hartington's support of the Speaker. In the letters one can sense the way in which the 3rd Duke is torn in his own loyalties to the George Stone the Primate, Brabazon Ponsonby, Lord Bessborough, the Duke of Newcastle and his administration but also wishes to acknowledge and support his own son's position as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The letters capture his wish to support his son in navigating the bureaucracy of government in order to achieve his aims for Irish peace, without being mistreated by the Duke of Newcastle et al himself.
Estates
These letters give an impression that the 3rd Duke was an engaged owner of Chatsworth, he often adds details of the plants growing at Chatsworth and the progress of the harvest to his son, Lord Hartington.
The letters also include reference to the affair with Portaway mine and the partners where the barmaster Tipington was to be dismissed or investigated on account of tithing smithum. The letters also mention the involvement of Mr Heathcote in the mineral courts and the lead affairs to be discussed with the Duke of Rutland. There is also reference to Parson Pegge's estate and details of the inheritance of the Park Hall Estate after the death of Mr Pool.
Entertainment and pastimes
These letters include mention of the 3rd Duke's pastimes including: attending Chesterfield and Newmarket races; owning horses; hunting and shooting at Chatsworth; dinner parties; visiting other aristocracy around the country, including references to Londesborough; dancing at balls and playing "whisk" [whist].
The Weather
The 3rd Duke often writes about the weather and how this mostly affects the delivery of post (especially across the Irish Sea), hunting and travelling on the roads. He also mentions a great flood at Chatsworth and Chesterfield (September 1755).
There are also references to various people known to the 3rd Duke being ill, dying, having offspring and getting married.
Also included in this group are:
- Bonds for annuity payable to Thomas Wynne, Lord Londonderry, Littleton Poyntz Meynell, John Pocock, George Selwyn, James Nelthorpe set up by the Marquess of Hartington (future 3rd Duke), 1720-1729;
- Records of monetary transactions between the 3rd Duke and the South Sea Company, L.P. Mayrell, Littleton Poyntz Meynell, Samuel Lowe, William Abercrombie, George Freeman, Thomas Bladen, James Nelthorpe and Abraham,Theodore and Henry Janssen,1726-43;
- Letters from Henry Jernegan, Lord Wilmington, J, Snow and Robert Walpole relating to the 3rd Duke of Devonshire's installation as Lord Steward, June- August 1733;
- Wills of William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire, October 1731-September 1748;
- The Duke of Devonshire's notes of the, 25 September 1745;
- Address from the Lords Justices of Ireland, acknowledging the appointment of the Earl of Chesterfield as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and the work of the 3rd Duke of Devonshire in this post as his predecessor, January 1745;
- Warrant for the seizure of arms in the County of Derby, addressed to the Duke of Devonshire, related to the threat of the Jacobite rising in Scotland, September 1745;
- Memorandum concerning the disposition of the estate of Lord James Cavendish, post-1747;
- Memorandum on "Sir R W's paper" by William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire, Aug 1754.