Anne (St. John) Lee Wilmot, Countess of Rochester papers

Collection

Identifier: D.29

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Papers consist of 16 letters written by the Countess of Rochester to her grandson Edward Henry Lee, 1st Earl of Lichfield, five letters to his wife Lady Charlotte (Fitzroy) Lee, Countess of Lichfield, and one to his mother Elizabeth (Pope) Lee Bertie, Countess of Lindsey. Also in the collection is a letter to the Countess from James Bertie, 1st Earl of Abingdon, and a letter to her from a "Cosen Bowyer".

The letters deal mainly with the disputed will of the Countess' granddaughter, the poetess Anne (Lee) Wharton who died in 1685. In her letters to the Earl of Lichfield, Countess Rochester urges him to join with the Earl of Abingdon to contest Anne's will and keep the inheritance from the hands of her husband, Thomas Wharton, 1st Marquis Wharton.

The Papers shed light not only on these particular events, but on seventeenth century family life in general: the inter-family relationships and intrigues, as well as the complex arrangements made for the disposal of family property.

Creator

Wilmot, Anne, Countess of Rochester, 1614-1696 (Person)

Dates

Creation: 1685-1686

Language of Materials

English

Extent

1 box(es) (24 items)

Access

The Anne (St. John) Lee Wilmot, Countess of Rochester Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books, Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Anne (St. John) Lee Wilmot, Countess of Rochester Papers, D.29, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester