Add MS 77219-77221

Althorp Papers. Vols. mcmxix-mcmxxi. Correspondence relating to the administration of the Clifden Estates, mainly concerning lands in Ireland. Henry Agar-Ellis, 3rd Viscount Clifden, was married to Lady Spencer's sister Lilah Seymour but died in 1866 leaving her with two small children. Their son, Henry George Agar-Ellis, 4th Viscount Clifden, was at the time of his father's death only two years old. A trust was therefore set up to administer the estates, which included lands in Ireland and Surrey as well as Holdenby House, Northampton, during the minority. Spencer was appointed one of the trustees. For correspondence with 5th Earl Bessborough, a fellow trustee, see Add. MSS 77101-77105 above. The majority of the early letters, (1873-1878), are by Edward Barlow, solicitor. After Barlow's death in 1879, the administration was taken on by his partner Henry P. Bowling, who in turn was succeeded by Charles Foyer in 1885. Included also are letters from Edmund H. Maude, manager of the Irish estates, F. Leveson-Gower and Lord Bessborough; 1870-1905.