| Description | This archive chiefly comprises title deeds from the late 13th to the 20th centuries documenting the growth, development and final disposal of this estate on the outskirts of Derby.
Title deeds for: Elvaston, Thulston, Ambaston D518M/T1-211; Alvaston and Boulton D518M/T212-228; Sawley D518M/T229-250; Spondon & Ockbrook D518M/T251-292; Draycott D518M/T293-438; Repton D518M/T439-452; Long Eaton D518M/T453-497; Breaston D518M/T498-539; Derby D518M/T540-545; Newhall D518M/T546-550; Burton School Trust D518M/T551; Miscellaneous Derbyshire D518M/T552-556A; Nottinghamshire and Surrey D518M/T556B-572.
Estate Papers for Elvaston, Thulston, Ambaston D518M/E1-42; Alvaston and Boulton D518M/E43-45; Sawley D518M/E46-68; Wilsthorpe (Sawley) D518M/E69-78; Breaston D518M/E79-80; Spondon, Ockbrook, Borrowash D518M/E81-87; Draycott D518M/E88-102; Repton D518M/E103-5; Long Eaton D518M/E106-9; Newbold D518M/E110-112; out of county D518M/E113-142; Rentals D518M/E143-146A; Miscellaneous Estate Record D518M/E146B-159
Family Papers: Stanhope (Harrington) D518M/F1-53; Earls of Chesterfield D518M/F54-65; Agard Family D518M/F66-110; Accounts D518M/F111-186; Inventories D518M/F187-481; Other Family Papers D518M/F482-499
Manorial - Sawley Manor D518M/M1-172
Miscellaneous: Sawley Bridge D518M/Z1-2; Crewe Papers D518M/Z310; Curzon Papers D518M/Z11-63 |
| Administrative History | Michael Stanhope, son of John Stanhope of Shelford, Nottinghamshire, acquired former monastic lands including Elvaston at the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. These estates were eventually divided between Sir Michael Stanhope's grandsons, Philip (created Earl of Chesterfield in 1628) who inherited Shelford in Nottinghamshire and Bretby in Derbyshire, and John who inherited Elvaston which remained a family seat until the mid 20th century.
William Stanhope (d1756) was created Baron Harrington in 1730 and subsequently in 1752 Viscount Petersham and Earl of Harrington. The 4th Earl, Charles (1780-1851) commissioned William Barron (fl. 1777), to landscape the garden at Elvaston Castle, an example of a splendid High Victorian garden.
The 8th earl, Charles Augustus (1844-1917) was an enthusiastic amateur engineer. |
| Custodial History | The documents were deposited at the Record Office in 1968 and 1974. |