Hello
Can anyone give me information on anyone who ever worked at Elvaston Castle in Derbyshire for the Stanhope Families (1700-1900) Seated as The Earls Of Harrington.
Perhaps they were family members or you know a little already.
I am interested in the Stanhope's and specialise in their history so any general information on the Family itself would also be useful
Thank you
Not sure if you are still using Rootschat but I am currently looking into Mary Elizabeth Baum (1852-1918), who was the house keeper at Elvaston from at least 1901 and probably until around 1916. I can tell you about her early life in Swithland, Leicestershire and the rest of her family as there are some intriguing stories in there... I am hoping to find out more about her time at Elvaston, and given the position she held and the esteem the family had for her, hope that there may even be photographs.
I believe Mary Elizabeth may have received introductions to her positions in these circles through her sister, Laura Fanny Baum (1844-1892 - known as Fanny) who worked closely with the Danvers-Butler family from a young age. Fanny became Lady's Maid to Letitia Rudyard Ross Freese (Honorable Lady Letitia Butler), whose daughter Lady Fitzwygram paid for Fanny Baum's headstone with Lady Harriet Harrington - remembering her "with affection". Fanny and Lady Fitzwygram were around the same age and lived in the same house growing up so perhaps this affection sprung from confidences as well as long-term proximity to the family, but that is conjecture.
I have yet to visit Mary Elizabeth's headstone (if it is still there) but I hope I may find a similar epitaph.
After Lady Letitia died Mary Elizabeth's sister Fanny went on to work as cook for Wilbraham Taylor, Gentleman Usher to Queen Victoria.
