Catalogue description Family Letters of Sir William Henry Clinton of Cockenhatch in Barkway, 1831

These letters, though several are undated, were apparently all written during a fortnight's stay in London, November - December 1831. The writer was very interested in politics, and knew a number of men in governmental circles, from whom he gleaned news in this period of upheaval during the Reform Bill crisis. His letters are full of this news and comment, at an extremely disquieting time for a tory such as he. They also contain family news, domestic arrangements, lists of letters sent and received, and accounts of visits made

Clinton, Sir, William Henry, of Cockenhatch in Barkway, Hertfordshire

[Accession 821]

Purchased in 1959

General Sir William Henry Clinton (1769-1846) had a distinguished military career, and was a Member of Parliament in the Duke of Newcastle's interest from 1806 until he retired to his country seat at Cockenhatch, near Royston, in 1829. His wife, to whom these letters are addressed, was Dorothea Louisa, the youngest daughter of John Holroyd, first Earl of Sheffield

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