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Reference Number705:73 BA14450/295/15 (1-5)
Hierarchy Browser Number350/7/12/1/7
TitleLetters from George William Coventry, Viscount Deerhurst and 7th Earl of Coventry
DescriptionLetters sent by his father, the 7th Earl of Coventry, who was blinded in a hunting accident. The letters are written in another hand, believed to be that of his wife Lady Margaret 'Peggy' Pitches, Countess of Coventry.
Item 705:73 BA14450/295/15 (1) gives an account of the birth of an illegitimate child to Lady M. [Mary Beauclerk, Viscountess Deerhurst, later Countess of Coventry, second wife of George William, 8th Earl of Coventry], which was smuggled out of the house. Talks of Mrs Loran and Dr C. being locked in the room with Lady Mary, and Mrs Loran taking the baby out of the house in a parcel or basket to a house in Golden Square. The scene was observed by Robert and Mrs W. [Williams]. Will do all that can be done.
Item 705:73 BA14450/295/15 (2) talks of the feelings of the servants [after the birth of an illegitimate baby to Lady Mary]. States that out of the two possible houses 'to which the parcel [baby] was taken I can trace from an undeniable circumstance that it was to Mr Arnet's [a] surgeon in Golden Sqre [Square]'.
Item 705:73 BA14450/295/15 (3) believes Mrs Loran and Dr C. being locked in the room 'are I conceive sufficient evidence of mysterious delivery', but that 'it is within possibility that she may only have a previous indisposition and the child not as yet born'. It is clear that the Coventry family are not involved in the affair and that Lady Mary is attempting to conceal the matter from them.
Item 705:73 BA14450/295/15 (4) talks of Jenner [a solicitor?] being ready to take the evidence of Robert and Mrs Williams. Will endeavour to obtain the evidence of the kitchen maid who followed Mrs Loran, as she returned without the parcel. Owing to Robert's failure to fulfill his commission [to follow the parcel] 'our best endeavours may fail in ascertaining the particulars as to the child being still born, whether male or female, or what eventually may become of it'. Condemns Dr C. for aiding and abetting Lady Mary in her inequity, and of depriving an offspring of its rights. Mentions articles of separation and legal advice received on the matter.
Item 705:73 BA14450/295/15 (5) talks of the importance of George William expressing his acute sense of injury and indignation sustained, and of the need to 'remove little Mary [Mary Augusta, daughter of 8th Earl of Coventry and Lady Mary] from such a scene of prostitution'. Asks that in the absence of Morland he will attend to his neglected interests [in reference to the running of the Croome estate] and order Jones to collect the ruins of the late hurricane'. Talks of the articles of separation, and 'the joy it would afford if possible to accomplish a complete separation from so abandoned a character'.
Date10 Mar 1818-19 Mar 1818
Physical DescriptionItems have been affected by damp, fragile. Require conservation.
CategoryCorrespondence
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