Scope and Content
Settlement between:
(i) William, Earl of Strafford, Viscount of Wentworth, Wentworth Woodhouse and Stainborough, Baron Raby;
(ii) Anna, Countess of Strafford, widow of late Thomas, Earl of Strafford, mother and guardian of (i);
(iii) John, Duke of Argyll and Greenwich and Lady Ann Campbell his 2nd daughter;
(iv) Archibald, Earl Hay and John Lord Gower;
(v) Warburton, Hugh, Lt Col of Regiment of Dragoons commanded by Lord Mark Kerr and Robert Ord of Lincolns Inn;
(vi) William Cavendish, Marquis of Hartington, eldest son and heir apparent of William, Duke of Devonshire, and George Middleton of the Strand (Middx), banker;
(vii) Henry Bathurst of the Inner Temple, and William Rawlinson, Earl of Hendon
Recites the following items:
I. Lease and release of 1 & 2 October 1711 between (1) Henry Johnson of Friston Hall (Suffolk) and Martha Baroness Wentworth of Nettlestead his wife, and William Johnson of Blackwall (Middx) surviving trustee for Henry Johnson; (2) Thomas Earl of Strafford and wife Anna Countess of Strafford; (3) Peter Wentworth of Wakefield (York) and Josiah Burchett of Westminster (Middx); (4) Hugh Smithson of Tottenham (Middx) and William Rawsterne of London, merchant. Recites settlement on marriage of Anna Countess of Strafford (2), the daughter of Henry Johnson. Manors of Toddington, Harlington and Younges and advowsons and rectories of Toddington and Harlington together with other land as devised by will of Philadelphia, Lady Wentworth, widow of Thomas, Lord Wentworth. For the use of Henry Johnson for life then in turn to Martha, any son or daughter of Henry and Martha, Thomas Earl Strafford, Anna Countess of Strafford for life, and their heirs.
II. Will of Thomas, Earl Strafford dated 22 June 1732 leaving:
- annuity of £2000 p.a. to wife Anna Countess of Strafford secured on property in Yorks, Notts and Lincs;
- to Anna Countess of Strafford copyhold messuage and gardens in Twickenham (Middx), with reversion to his son William Lord Wentworth
- another house at Twickenham to revert to his son William Lord Wentworth after the death of his [Earl Strafford’s] mother
- all other lands and property in turn to son William Lord Wentworth , to William’s heirs, to his brother Peter and to Peter’s heirs, to his eldest daughter Lady Ann Wentworth (now Lady Ann Conolly) for life and her male heirs, 2nd daughter Lady Lucy Wentworth for life and her male heirs, 3rd daughter Lady Harriot Wentworth for life and her male heirs on condition they take the surname Wentworth
- after death without issue of himself and death of brother Peter Wentworth without issue property to be divided equally between daughters Ann, Lucy and Harriot as tenants in common, reserving right of son William Wentworth to provide jointures for any future wife for life (excluding Wentworth Castle)
- use of his house at St. James’s Square to Countess of Strafford until son William should come of age or marry, or until she should remarry
- £4000 each to be paid to each of his three daughters Ann, Lucy and Harriot at age 18 or on their marriage, to be increased to £7000 should his wife have a second son
- goods, chattels and personal estate to his son William on reaching age 21
III. Death of Thomas Earl of Strafford on 15 November 1739 leaving William Wentworth his only son and Ann, Lucy and Harriot his only daughters.
IV. Articles of agreement dated 31 December 1740 between (1) William earl of Strafford with consent of Martha Countess of Strafford and Ann Countess of Strafford; and (2) John Duke of Argyle and Greenwich and daughter Lady Ann Campbell. Agreed settlement on intended marriage between William and Lady Ann Campbell in consideration of Lady Ann’s portion of £10,000. Act of Parliament required to bring settlement into effect as William aged under 21.
V. Act of Parliament passed 14 George II enabling William, aged 19, to make settlement on Lady Ann Campbell as agreed in IV.
VI. Bargain and sale dated 24 April 1741 between (1) William Earl of Strafford by consent of Ann Countess of Strafford; (2) Ann Countess of Strafford; and (3) Archibald Earl of Hay and John Lord Gower. Property listed in detail includes:
- Hundred, Manor and advowson of Toddington;
- Manor and Rectory of Harlington;
- Manor of Younges in Westoning;
- Hundred of Clifton;
- other property in Toddington, Harlington, Westoning, Tingrith, Hearne, Chalton, Fancott, Hockliffe, Houghton Regis and Bidwell;
- Manor of Colston Bassett (Notts) with property in Colston Bassett, Kynolton and Cropwell Bishop (Notts);
- Manor of Boughton and Hanreds Manor in Pitsford (Northants);
- property in Boughton, Pitsford, Sywell and Mears Ashby (Northants);
- Manor of Stainborourgh with Wentworth Castle alias Stainborough Hall;
- Manor of Rockley alias Falthwaite (Yorks) and Rockley Hall;
- Manor of Worsbrough and Worsbrough Dale (Yorks);
- property in Stainborough, Newton Piggott, Falthwaite, Darfield, Barnsley, Dodworth, Silkstone, Wakefield, Alverthorpe, Thornes, Stanley, Leeds, Pontefract, Hemsworth, Sandall, Offell, Thorp Arch, Richmond, Swaledale and Harwood (Yorks);
- Manors of Ashby Puerorum and Greetham (Lincs);
- property in Ashby Puerorum, Greetham, Hameringham, Dalby, Winceby, Hagworthingham, Mablethorpe, Humberston, Tetney, Theddlethorpe, Tealby, Wainfleet, Claxby, Huttoft, Laughton, Stamelby, Stainworth and Killingholme (Lincs);
- Manors of Friston Hall, Snape Scotts and Testers, Aldeburgh and Billeford(Suffolk);
- property in Aldeburgh, Hazlewood, Friston, Knodishall, Billeford, Buxlow, Snape, Sternfield (Suffolk);
- property in City of London including Swan with Two Necks Inn in Lad Lane;
- property in Woodnesborough and St. Mary Cray (Kent);
- property in Lambeth (Surrey)
Lists extensive dispositions of various properties to take place on marriage of William Wentworth and Lady Ann Campbell.