Folding paper headed Schedule of Writings & Papers in Lord Lifford's Iron Chest at Covintry [sic]
32 x 20 cms. unfolded
Also MS letter headed "21 Nov. 1767 Lord Hertford recomends to me the Title of Lifford" - signed by the Earl of Hertford
22 x 18 cms.
The first document has a long note signed Jas. Hewitt explaining "There is an Oak Chest belonging to Ld. Lifford in which the keys of the Iron Chest are kept & in which are old Papers & Writings which don't appear to be of the least use." He further explains that Lady Lifford "in her Letter from Chichester of the 30th June 1789 says she has a small part of the Alveston Writings in her hands". An added long note dated Sunday morning 8 July 1807 states that some papers "relating to the Kingsnorton Estate of the late Lord Lifford in the County of Worcester were this morning delivered over by me at Covintry [sic] to Mr. Watts, Attorney at Bath pursuant to an order .. of Mrs Hewitt of Bath..."
2 and a half page list of manuscripts and deeds headed "Lord Lifford's Iron Chest Writings & Papers in this Chest " signed Jas. Hewitt and dated July 1798. The papers appear to be mostly deeds and estate documents.
The letter of Nov. 1767 recommends Lifford "a fine town in Ireland" as the choice of title for the Peerage of Ireland.
Documents relating to James Hewitt, who was born the son of a Coventry draper, and rose through the legal profession to be appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland in 1767. He held this post until his death in 1789 and was appointed Baron Lifford in 1768 and Viscount in 1781.
The signature and note on the List of papers is that of James Hewitt, eldest son of the Lord Chancellor, who inherited the title and became 2nd Viscount Lifford - a clergyman in the Church of Ireland, James the younger became Dean of Armagh.
Significant documents in an unusual story of social mobility in the 18th century; there is also a 4 page printed extract from The Gentleman's Magazine "Origin of the name of Hewett and its variations" by J. F. Napier Hewett, with MS dedication "To Lord Lifford with the author's compliments" (not pictured- creased and slightly torn).