| Description | A brief survey by Derbyshire Record Office staff in 2016 identified a number of items which are not mentioned in the 2012 box-list. They include:
Settlement made on the marriage of Edward Nicholas Hurt; Unidentified loose title deed dated 20 feb 1649; Settlement, 29 Nov 1825; Bundle labelled "Sir Richard Arkwright High Sheriff 1787"; Blue notebook labelled "Rental of the estates of the Lords of the manor of Matlock… 1799"; Small brown volume containing accounts with different members of the Simpson family, 1793-1829; Various loose illustrations particularly of machinery (printed); Large blue folder containing bundle labelled "Willersley mainly upholstered bills"; Page from "The Sketch" dated 17 Apr 1912; Bundle wrapped in purple paper labelled "From JJ Banks & Son…" containing papers re executorship of Edward & SA Levett; Bundle in white folder, blue string labelled "Listed as misc papers"; Harrod's box containing folded printed maps; Bundle containing one volume and many loose papers - ?all relating to Alfred Arkwright deceased; Rolled copy of letter/s from Richard Arkwright 1792; Bundle marked "No 4 Articles of Assignment 5 May 1790" re Cromford Canal; Small green notebook in blue wallet containing family history notes; Old wrapping (empty) labelled "Sir Richard Arkwright Burgess of various Scotch Boroughs 1784"; Large blue volume, ?Susan Burney's Book of Sketches; Volume, titled in pencil "Our Boys", of family photographs and annual record of family events and occurrences probably compiled from Frederick Charles Arkwright 1884-1910; Box of various papers and notebooks, labelled "Letters 1913-1914"; Bundle labelled "No 5 Rocester Articles of Copartnership…"; Bundle labelled "Probate copy of will of Adam Wolley"; Additional unidentified plans and document bundles
Additional box: includes 20th correspondence and other papers; 1927 sale of goods of Willersley Castle catalogues; Willersley Diary account book 1886-1927; marriage settlements; Meerbrook Sough correspondence; printed items re business interests such as Meerbrook Sough and Cromford Canal; 200 Cromford and High Peak Railway share certificates; other
Additional box: Grant of Arms, Family Pedigrees, Militia;- Sir Richard Arkwright [five items];- List of Arkwright Societies 1844…;- Samuel Simpson…;- Sundry Family Correspondence 1797-1825 from Eton, College, etc.;- Sir Richard Arkwright as Sheriff; also includes folder of original and copy letters; Sale room sheets 1924; Sale catalogues 1924, 1927; glass plate of Willersley Castle (wrapped in newspaper); argument and judgement in case of Arkwright v Evans 1880; other
Additional box: includes Willersley inventory 1923; large envelope re Cromford almshouses and other Arkwright charities; Simpson executorship papers; "list of documents in cellar staff room"; correspondence re Arkwright papers, other lists; bundle re Cromford mines; OS Acreage Book; Willersley Estate, Farm, Household and Garden Accounts, 1920s; Inventory of Plate; various account books including annual statements 1840s, small payments of Alfred Arkwright; Samuel Ogdon, butcher of Wirksworth; volume re family history; other loose papers
Additional box: Arkwright family material, including letters from the Duke of Devonshire to Sir Richard Arkwright; letters from Sir Richard Arkwright to his daughter; material relating to Augustus Peter Arkwright's naval career, including his 1854 Baltic medal; probate documents relating to various Arkwright family members, including Frederic Charles Arkwright, Frances Arkwright, James Charles Arkwright.
Also various maps, plans and drawings, including:
- Small booklet of drawings labelled 'A Rough Sketch etc' and on back 'Plan of a house by Mr Rawlinson'. Inside front cover is a note from G Rawlinson headed 'Observations on the rough sketches'. The five sketches are: plan of a bridge over the Derwent; a ground floor plan; 2nd floor plan; Front side next the Plantation &c; and 'Front view [Trecino] the Hotel Buildings. The first sketch is torn. [The five sketches are intended as potential improvements to Richard Arkwright's Estate at Matlock Bath and include a recommendation for a new bridge over the Derwent.]
- Elevation of an unidentified building by Thomas Gardner. Undated.
- Plan shewing proposed new terrace and flower garden Willersley Castle. Undated. Line drawing with colour wash. In need of repair and cleaning.
- Willersley Castle plan marked in pencil Principal Storey and described on the reverse as 'Plans etc of the Castle - Mr Arkwright'. The plan has been heavily annotated in pencil indicating additional building to the rear and other amendments. Undated.
- Plan of Willersley Castle labelled in pencil Attic Storey, showing some alterations. Undated.
- Ink and pink colour wash; a Plan of the Cellars. Thos. Gardner Archt. Undated.
- Ink and wash plan described as 'A Plan of the Basement Storey of a Mansion House intended for Richard Arkwright Esq at Cromford in Derbyshire' Thos. Gardner Archt. On the reverse marked 'Plan of a house not built'. Undated.
- Ink and pink wash plan described as 'A Plan of the Principal Storey of a Mansion House intended for Richard Arkwright Esq at Cromford in Derbyshire' Thos. Gardner Archt. Undated.
- Ink and pink wash plan inscribed 'A Plan of the Bed Chamber Storey' Thos. Gardner Archt. Undated.
- Ink plan damaged and professionally repaired, ground floor of Willersley Castle with service connections added. Unsigned. Undated.
- Three plans pinned together; 'Plan of garret floor', 'Plan of chamber floor', 'Plan of principal floor', ink and wash each labelled T Gardner, one with sketched overlay indicating alterations to existing buildings or to earlier proposals for Willersley Castle. Undated.
- Ink plan bearing on the reverse on a later label 'Plan of the House at Willersley when finished'.
- Ink and wash drawings described on the reverse as Lodge Gateway and on the drawing as Design for the Lodge Gateway - T Gardner Archt. Undated. One drawing showing ?metal gates, with overlay of simpler timber gates.
- Ink sketches - Plans of lodges - with note from Mr Rawlinson dated February 8 1828. Note makes it is clear that the sketches relate to a proposed Lodge at the western end of Church Walk.
- Drawing of elevation and plan of a proposed Lodge with turrets at two corners. Undated and unsigned
- Drawing of elevation and plan of a proposed Lodge two rectangular rooms, Gothic style on each side of entrance drive
- Drawing of elevation and plan of a proposed Lodge two rooms each six-sided on either side of entrance drive. [There are watermarks on two of these three drawings of lodges which may indicate dates of c. 1815 and the 1820s]
- Elevations and details of cornices, mullions etc described as 'Details of Lodge. R Arkwright Esquire. August 8 1829'. Watermark 1822. On the reverse inscribed 'Plans of Lodges 1829'.
- Grey card sleeve marked 'Plans of Lodges. Sleeve large enough to have held all the preceding Lodge plans.
- Ink drawing 'Moulding Full Size' details of proposed chimneys, On the reverse 'Plans of Lodges' in the same hand as on previous drawings.
- Ink and wash drawings, two sets of plans and elevations 'Designs for a Lodge to Willersley Castle the seat of R Arkwright Esq August 19 1828' in pencil No. 1.
- Ink and wash, elevation, section and plan 'Designs for a Lodge to Willersley Castle the seat of R Arkwright Esq' August 8th 1829 and with sketch of man with horse.
- Ink and wash, elevation and plan 'Designs for a Lodge to Willersley Castle the seat of R Arkwright Esq' August 27 1828 No. 3. Watermark 1823.
- 'No. 4 Design for the Cromford entrance to the grounds of Willersley Castle the seat of R Arkwright Esq. August 25th 1828' Watercolour plan and elevation.
- Cardboard sleeve 'Plans of Small Houses'. Drawings pinned together: (i) ground floor plan; (ii) 'Plan of Mr Mason's intended house. A neat small house.' [This would appear to be an elevation and plan of the Mill Manager's house at Cromford Mill]; (iii) 'Plan of a farm house' elevation and floor plan; (iv) elevation and ground floor plan of two storey house; (v) 'Farm house' plan and elevation; (vi) 'Farm house' plan and elevation; [Plan of a house by W Kidd lately Thot to be built'] (vii) printed images of elevations of two houses, Gothic style (one a thatched cottage). A third house also a farm house described as "Grey card sleeve marked Plans of Furniture"
- Ink and watercolour design for drapes. Undated. Unsigned.
- Ink drawings of three chairs, side view. Undated. Unsigned.
- Clip of 6 drawings ink and colour wash pinned together, dated June 1791 and signed R W. They are as follows:-
- Hall at Cromford Sir Richard Arkwright.
- Music Room at Cromford Sir Richd Arkwright.
- Hall at Cromford Sir Richd Arkwright.
- Eating Parlor at Cromford Sir Richd Arkwright.
- Drawing Room at Cromford Sir Richd Arkwright.
- 'A view of Matlock Bath in Derby Shire'. Drawn and engraved by Jno. Boydell and published by J Boydell engraver 1749. Rather dirty and some foxing.
- 'A view in Crumford near Matlock Bath in Derby Shire'. Drawn and engraved by Jno. Boydell and published by J Boydell engraver 1749. Reasonable condition.
- 'Matlock High Tor etc. The River Derwent runs at the bottom of this vast Rock whose perpendicular height above the water is 354 feet.' Drawn by Thos Smith, engraved by J Mason.
- 'Willersley Farm Belonging Edwin Lascelles Esqr. by Wm Brailsford 1759' Hand coloured estate map
- Colour reproduction of Joseph Wright of Derby portrait of three children of Richard Arkwright with a goat [1791] published by Henry Graves undated. Signed L Busiere below print on right hand side. Stamped GP Printsellers Association. Some foxing.
- Colour reproduction of Joseph Wright of Derby portrait of Richard and Mary Arkwright and daughter published by Henry Graves; undated. Stamped GP Printsellers Association. Some foxing otherwise reasonable condition.
- Colour reproduction of Joseph Wright of Derby portrait of three eldest children of Richard Arkwright with a kite. Published by Henry Graves. Stamped RVC Printsellers Association. Signed L Busiere below print on right hand side. Some foxing.
- A further copy as above.
- Sheet of card with newspaper clippings pasted on to it including an engraving of Cromford Hall Derbyshire drawn by Malcolm. It is likely that the written description of Cromford Hall was published with it and this is dated 1793. Other items include a note inspired by Malcolm's description of Cromford Hall which includes a poem; an account of a meeting chaired by Sir Richard Arkwright in 1788 of the bill holders and creditors of Livesey & Co; a note of Sir Richard's purchase of a house in the Adelphi 1788; an extract from a poem of 1793 and an account of Sir Richard's procession as High Sheriff in 1787. There is also part of an envelope addressed to the Reverend D Lamb post marked 13 March 1830.
- Engraving of Willersley Castle drawn by J P Neale and published in 1818. W H Reid.
- Studio portrait of child in sailor suit standing by chair draped with Union Jack. Undated. Unidentified.
- Studio portrait of child in a sailor suit (probably the same child as above) holding a model boat. Undated and unidentified.
- Print of studio portrait of a mother and daughter with roses. Edward Hughes is written beneath. Print of work by Edward Robert Hughes?
- Engraving of Jedediah Strutt from the painting by Joseph Wright of Derby and published by Stephen Glover. No date. Plate dedicated to William Strutt Esq of St Helen's House, Derby by Glover.
- Engraving of Joseph Wright portrait of Sir Richard Arkwright.
- Engraving of Sutton Hall the seat of Richard Arkwright Esq published January 21 1827. Hand coloured. Drawn by F W L Stockdale. No. 49 of R Ackerman's Repository of Arts &c.
- Engraving of Joseph Wright of Derby portrait of Richard and Mary Arkwright and daughter. Some foxing. Undated.
- As above. Very foxed. Swan Electric Engraving Co.
- Two engravings of Willersley Castle mounted on a sheet of paper. One published 1804 the other undated but both published in the Beauties of England and Wales.
- Engraving of Willersley Castle published 1818 by W H Reid. Drawn by J P Neale engraved by Miss E Byrne. Some foxing.
- Three engravings mounted on a single page:
- Willersley Castle published by H Moore November 1830
- Matlock Church published by H Moore November 1830
- Willersley Castle. T Allom and S Lacey. The print has been trimmed removing the date.
- Two prints pasted on paper: an engraving of the Joseph Wright of Derby portrait of Sir Richard Arkwright including a reproduction of his signature and ;a coloured engraving of Sutton Hall the seat of Richard Arkwright Esq.
- Paper to which has been pasted newspaper cuttings:
- Obituary of Richard Arkwright Esq. 1843.
- June 1853 cutting recording that a portrait of Sir Richard Arkwright has been presented to the Manchester Exchange.
- A cutting recording a dangerous riot at Leicester occasioned by the introduction of Sir Rich. Arkwright's Spinning Jenny. 1787.
- Undated extract recording some details of Sir Richard Arkwright's will.
- Two items pasted to a sheet of paper: an engraving of Cromford House Derbyshire published March 1799 [Vol. IV Pl. [172], engraved and published by J Walker from a drawing by Mrs A Noel; and an extract ['Cromford House Numb. LXXXVI Plate CLXXII'] from an unidentified publication describing the house. It includes an anonymous poem extolling the virtues of the new building.
- Page depicting Willersley Castle and Matlock Church drawn, engraved and published by H Moore Derby Nov 1830. Considerable foxing.
- Two engravings of Joseph Wright portrait of Sir Richard Arkwright engraved by T Wright and by [James] Posselwhite, pasted to a sheet of paper.
Also newspaper extracts:-
- 1796 statement that Sir Richard Arkwright had increased his property by £20,000.00 p.a. through the invention of the Spinning Jenny.
- 1792 Sir Richard's statue is to be erected in the centre of a square in Manchester - Grosvenor Square.
- 1792 notice of an alarming fire in the capital mansion at Cromford lately built by Sir Richard Arkwright.
- Pasted to a sheet of paper an engraving of Matlock Vale published May 25 1785. Drawn by T Smith, S Middiman publisher and engraver.
- Engraving of Willersley Castle undated for the Beauties of England and Wales.
- A further copy poor condition.
- An engraving of Willersley Castle 1807 for the Beauties of England and Wales.
- An engraving of Willersley Castle by H Moore for the Beauties of England and Wales. Trimmed and mounted on card.
- Single page containing cuttings and engravings pasted to it:-
- Willersley Castle 1818 drawn by J Neale, engraved by Miss E Byrne and published by W H Reid plus written account of it and of Sir Richard's career.
- A further engraving of Willersley Castle 1807 for the Beauties of England and Wales. The newspaper cuttings are as follows:
- An undated statement that Mr F C Arkwright of Willersley Castle has now joined the list of Tory landowners in favour of a minimum wage for farm labourers.
- 1811 the marriage of Charles fifth son of Richard Arkwright Esquire of Willersley to Mary fifth daughter of Edward Sacheverell Wilmot Sitwell.
- Reference to the marriages of Frederic and subsequently F C Arkwright undated.
- Richard Arkwright Esquire of Cromford has given to 27 of his principal workmen 17 fine mulch cows - 1783.
- Black and white engraving of the Joseph Wright of Derby portrait of three of Richard Arkwright's children with a goat. Swan Electric Engraving Co. Some foxing.
Proof copy of studio portrait of F C Arkwright with signature below Frederic C Arkwright. Drawn by C W Walton. Published by Walton & Co. 103 Shaftesbury Avenue W London. Some foxing.
Four OS maps: scale 6" to the mile (foxed)
Sheet XXXIV SW black & white published 1885
Sheet XXXIV NW black & white published 1884 (reprinted 1884)
Sheet XXXIV NE black & white published 1884(reprinted 1884)
Sheet XXXIV SE black & white published 1884(reprinted 1884)
Nine OS maps: scale 25" to the mile. All bound around the edges with green tape.
Derbyshire XXXIV.2 black & white, published 1899 (revised 1893)
Derbyshire XXXIV.3 colour, published 1880
Derbyshire XXXIV.6 colour, published 1880
Derbyshire XXXIV.7 black & white, published 1899 (revised 1898)
Derbyshire XXXIV.10 colour, published 1880
Derbyshire XXXIV.11 black & white, published 1899 (revised 1898)
Derbyshire XXXIV.14 colour, published 1880
Derbyshire XXXIV.15 colour, published 1880
Derbyshire XXXIV.16 colour, published 1880
Two identical white silk banners: rectangular with crimson fringes, painted on both sides with the coat of arms of Sir Richard Arkwright and the motto 'Multa tuli fecique' below. Painted on both sides so that the motto reads correctly when viewed from either side. Some staining and paint abraded in places, but basically intact. [1787] |
| Custodial History | This material was donated to the Arkwright Society in 1993 in accordance with the wishes of the late Colonel Peter Arkwright OBE (1913-1987). Colonel Arkwright, the elder son of Richard Alleyne Arkwright (1884-1965), was the last direct male descendant of Sir Richard Arkwright to be born at Willersley Castle.
The eight original documents relating to Richard Arkwright’s patents of 1769 and 1775 (part of D7573/DRO/18) only came to light after Colonel Peter Arkwright’s death when the roof of his family home, Willersey House, Gloucestershire (address: Broadway, Worcestershire), was being cleared prior to being vacated and sold by his family. The items were later placed on loan to the Arkwright Society by the family. |