Depicted here in a painting by George Knapton, is William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire who lived from 1698 to 1755, and here is depicted in his role of Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire. It is this Duke who is believed to have purchased the Manor of Blackwell from The Duke of Newcastle, Thomas Pelham Holles.
On 31st August 1743 a document was delivered to Chatsworth, which is titled
” A Particular of His Grace The Duke of Newcastle’s Estate in Derbyshire”
and which lists the values of his properties in “The Manor of Dore in the Parish of Dronfield”, “Edale lying in the Parish of Castleton” and ” The Manor and Farms of Blackwell situate in the west Part of Scarsdale in the County of Derby, about 10 miles north of Derby Town, 6 South of Chesterfield, 4 West of Mansfield, and 2 North East of Alfreton, a Small market town.” The document lists the tenants and rents due from the Duke’s properties, a valuation of Newton Wood and details of tythes due or paid. It also gives information that the Duke and Sir Charles Molyneux of Teversal are joint Proprietors of the manor and that the Duke’s share of the a colliery in the manor was leased to Sir Charles until about 1770. The whole document gives a fascinating glimpse of Blackwell and the times and will be made available on this site in the near future.
Another document from the Chatsworth Archives dated 1759 grants the tenancy of Newton Farm to Elizabeth Adlington, following the death of her husband George who had held the tenancy, more likely to have been agreed with the 4th Duke of Devonshire, also William, shown in this 2nd painting here by Thomas Hudson in 1750s.
The 4th Duke was also responsible for having a map drawn up by S Brailsford, for Blackwell Hilcote and Newton in 1758, which shows all the fields in the parish with fieldnames and details of the freeholder. Copies of the map are on display in each of Blackwell’s Community Centres kindly supplied by Mr Graham Heasman with permission of The Chatsworth Estate.
And did you know….?
The Duke of Newcastle who sold his share of the manor of Blackwell to the Devonshires, was Prime Minister from 1693 to 1762 except for a few months in 1756/ 7 when the 4th Duke of Devonshire took over , returning to the Office of Lord Chancellor on the return of Newcastle..though not related by blood, there were very close family ties….not what you knew but rather who you knew! Same Old , Same Old !