Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    Z1265/14/2/3
  • Title
    Letter from Charles Stafford at Bedford to Maria Hanbury
  • Date free text
    3 April 1868
  • Production date
    From: 1868 To: 1868
  • Scope and Content
    “I return the Genealogy you have done me the honour to send until I have more time at my disposal”. “I have had many enquiries sent to me many of which I have been unable to answer. My only immediate predecessors were my father Thomas Stafford formerly of Upper Brook St, Grosvenor Square, London, who was frequently visited by Mr Jerningham, now Lord Stafford [Henry Valentine Stafford-Jerningham, 9th Baron Stafford (1802-1884)], a Roman Catholic, as well as by other men, claimants to the chief Barony, and he was treated (but why I know not) as the proper claimant to the present vacant Barony - I was then a boy - I remember one Stafford Cooke being at our house and being taken from there in full court dress, to be presented at Court by Lord Shaftesbury [probably Cropley Ashley-Cooper, 6th Earl of Shaftesbury], whose carriage conveyed him. His pedigree did not bear the investigation & I heard his attempt was attended with so much expense that it ruined him. He was connected with the Cundys of Pimlico eminent Builders. My father an unambitious man with a very large family was deterred from prosecuting the claim in consequence of the great expense required. His Father was a Thomas Stafford & was warden of the Wheelwrights’ Company of London, a position then of some moment and his Father a Thomas Stafford held high City appointment. The same reasons that operated on my father has prevented me from prosecuting the claim & although I have a little more ambition than he possessed I dare say I should give it no more attention, but at some future period I may be enabled to look well at your genealogy & if I can aid you I shall be very proud”.
  • Level of description
    item
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