Copies of the diaries of William Gould (1739-fl 1795), land agent of William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland, 2002

The collection contains copies of the diaries of William Gould. They provide a rare insight into the working life of an 18th-century land agent, responsible for many aspects of the administration of two substantial midlands estates. There is particular interest in the details provided about the lives and estates business of the Cavendish family (Dukes of Devonshire) and the Cavendish-Bentinck family (Dukes of Portland) at the end of the 18th century. In addition to their personal wealth and status, the two families wielded enormous local influence through their extensive landholding and their political interests. As their land agent, Gould had a close knowledge of their interests and activities.

The diaries also describe Gould in his domestic and social context, providing evidence of contemporary family life, local connections and social occupations.

The diaries complement the University's existing extensive holdings about the Cavendish-Bentinck Dukes of Portland, both within the main Portland (Welbeck) estate papers and in the Portland (London) collection, which includes correspondence of Gould.

The microfilms show that the four surviving diaries have vellum covers and contain the bookplate 'Ex Libris Geoffrey Briggs'. An earlier volume from April 1780 seems to have been lost. Gould wrote up the diary entries retrospectively from rough drafts.

The microfilms are accompanied by a two-volume typescript edition (2002) of William Gould's diaries covering 1783-1795, by M.J. Hanson (MS 736/5);

William Gould was born at Pilsbury, Derbyshire in 1739. His father was the tenant of a farm belonging to the Duke of Devonshire and William later succeeded to this tenancy. He became agent of the Duke of Portland's Welbeck estate in April 1780 and was directly responsible to John Heaton, auditor for William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck 3rd Duke of Portland and the agent to William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire. From 1784, Gould also undertook duties for the Duke of Devonshire. He remained the Duke of Portland's land agent until 1795.

William and Elizabeth Gould had at least three children. Joseph, the eldest, was agent to the 5th and 6th Dukes of Devonshire. His brother William became a hosier in Nottingham. A daughter, Mary, died in 1877.

No archival arrangement has been necessary.

ACCESS: Accessible to all registered readers.

LANGUAGE: English

• This description is the only finding aid available for the collection. Copyright on the description belongs to the University of Nottingham.

REPROGRAPHIC: Reprographic copies can be supplied for educational use and private study purposes only, depending on access status and the condition of the documents.

COPYRIGHT: Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Keeper of Manuscripts and Special Collections (email mss-library@nottingham.ac.uk).

The four original diaries, which are still in private hands, were microfilmed by the Department in September 2002, to enable access to their contents at the University and at neighbouring record offices. Draft extracts and supplementary research materials were transferred at the same time.

• The University of Nottingham; Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections: Political and estate papers of the Dukes of Portland of Welbeck Abbey, Nottinghamshire. Reference: Pw
• The Portland (London) Collection, being Legal, Financial and Estate Papers of the Dukes of Portland, 1304-1940. Reference: Pl