Letters from Isaac Gervais, Dean of Tuam

This material is held atThe Devonshire Collection Archives, Chatsworth

  • Reference
    • GB 2495 CS1/387
  • Dates of Creation
    • 29 December 1753- 11 September 1755
  • Physical Description
    • 5 items

Scope and Content

These letters from Isaac Gervais [sometimes Gervase] are written to Antony Abdy, lawyer for the Burlington Estate, Lady Burlington and Sir Robert Wilmott. The letters concern Gervais's positions and his wish to be properly acknowledged for his service to the Burlingtons. He writes of requesting Lady Burlington to write a few kind lines on his behalf to Lord Hartington but being concerned that she believes him to be after a bishopric when he is not and his concern how it will look when he is not recommended by the family under whose patronage he has been for so long. He also provides his assistance to Sir Abdy with a report of information about advowsons, tenancies and parliamentary seats under the influence of the Burlingtons in Ireland (CS1/387/4).

There is also a letter to Sir Robert Wilmot concerning Gervais's loss of a patron at the death of Lord Burlington and his concern that the knowledge he has built up about the estate in which he has resided since 1704 should not be lost. He writes recommending a person be sent to survey the state of things to whom Gervais can relay his knowledge.