As part of our shutdown tasks I have been working on an extensive catalogue with the reference 2DE. This catalogue contains estate records of Seaton and Ford Estates, which were the property of the Delaval family. As I have been typing, Sir John Hussey Delaval, whose seat was at Delaval Hall and his family, properties, servants and other people who worked for him have come to life. The time period that these records covered was around 1750s to early 1800s.
John Hussey Delaval (17 March 1728 – 17 May 1808) was the 1st Baron Delaval and is buried in St. Paul’s Chapel, Westminster Abbey. He was a well-known landowner and politician. Threaded throughout these records was his life as a politician serving as a Member of Parliament for Berwick upon Tweed.
The early records that I started with looked into the Seaton and Ford Estates, Northumberland. They show farm accounts, such as labour costs and rents of the many properties of John Hussey Delaval.
2DE begins around 1755, giving me insight into the great importance, extensive and often costly development of Seaton Harbour at Seaton Sluice and its connections to the works at Hartley Collieries, Hartley Bottleworks, salt industry and others. This extensive collection contains evidence about the development and improvement of fire engines for the collieries, machines for raising stones from the harbour amongst others.
Papers and letters in the collection tell of the taking and ransom of one of John Hussey Delaval’s ships ‘The Seaton Sluice’ in 1782. The ship was taken by the Dutch Privateer, Goed Verwagting and was eventually released after taking the Mate, John Hails, was taken hostage. He was held until a payment between the captains of the two ships was made and then he was released.
Other documents from 1797-1799 told of anti-invasion arrangements and the formation of a local volunteer force to protect the coast against privateers. During this time, on 20 June 1796, the French even captured a bottle sloop.
Further into 2DE gives me an idea of what day to day life was like for the Delaval family. The cataloguing is now moving onto the accounts and inventories of the various houses and properties owned or rented by the Delaval family. As well as here in Northumberland, they also had properties in Lincolnshire, Surrey and London. The ordering of furniture makers, masons, and joiners for improvements and maintenance are documented. Bundles of vouchers show listings of personal and household expenses such as wine, fishmongers, china ware, stationery, and parties. One of the most memorable is a locksmith’s bill in 1761 ‘for cutting 3 screws for a waggon that goes without horses ’.
A sad entry 2DE/23/5, includes an account for funeral expenses of John Hussey Delaval’s daughter, Mrs. Sophia Jadis, 1755-1793.
This week I will be continuing to delve into the records of the Delavals once more recording the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, the fortunes and losses of the family and their estates.
Sir John Hussey Delaval
This is fascinating. My husband’s ancestors were the Joblings who owned the Jobling glass factory and colliery in the area. They were also ship owners and they lived at Seaton Lodge. There may also be a link to one of the grandfathers being a house carpenter at Seaton Delavel Hall around 1780 – his name was Joseph Bulmer. Is it possible to obtain copies of some of the records or do I have to visit the archives in person?
I live in Wakefield, West Yorks
Thank you for your message. We do offer a research and copying service so you wouldn’t have to visit the archive in person. We are currently closed and have no access to our collections so are unable to provide copies at the moment. I will however pass your enquiry on to my colleague who deals with this aspect of our service.
My ancestor was Isaac Manchester who worked for John Delaval from about 1755 to his death in 1775. He is variously described as steward and manager of the glassworks. Will your work on the catalogue be adding extra detail to make it possible to find out more about him? I managed to visit a few years ago and found some letters but I suspect there is more. I live in Tewkesbury so it would be easier to be able to identify things online and order them.
Hello, I will pass your enquiry on to my colleague who is listing Delaval material.
My ancestor, Cuthbert Henderson, was also employed at the Hartley Bottleworks in 1778. He is listed as a finisher earning 20s. Are there any further references to him in the collection?
Hello, we contacted the archives prior to lockdown as looking for information about the The Delaval Arms which we own. We note a record 2/DE/5/4/1-59 listed on national archive site as “Mrs.Ann Dawson to have “Delaval Arms” following capture of her husband in the bottle sloop “Hartley” by French privateer (1793)”. We would like to know when we can access this record and search for similar records. Thank you !
Thank you for your enquiry. At the present time staff are still working from home but we hope to open in September and will post information on social media and on our website as soon as it is available.
Having just read the book ‘The Foundling’ by Stacey Halls, I remembered in my research of Sir John Delaval that it was said he was a contributor to the upkeep of the Foundling Hospital in London in the eighteenth century. I wondered if contained in the numerous Delaval Papers archive there is evidence of his donations as I cannot find my original source citation.
Hello, thank you for your enquiry. We will pass it on to members of our team.