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Papers of the Rich family

 Collection
Identifier: R53443

Scope and Content

This collection contains the call numbers X.d.451 (1-231).

The Papers of the Rich Family contain family and estate papers of the Rich family of Mulbarton, Norfolk, and of Roos Hall and Ashman's Hall, Suffolk, principally of: Sir Edwin Rich (1594-1675); Sir Charles Rich (ca. 1619-1677); Sir Robert Rich (1648-1699); as well as of: Sir Edwin Rich (d. 1640); Richard Rich (1597-1676); Lady Elizabeth Rich (ca. 1623-1694); Lady Mary Rich (d. 1714); Civel Rich (d. 1716); Sir Robert Rich (1685-1768); and Charles Rich (ca. 1731-1808). The papers primarily consist of correspondence, manorial records and deeds, as well as wills, inventories, and other legal documents. Also, the papers of Sir Robert Rich (1648-1699) include a few of his official papers as M.P. for Dunwich, Suffolk, as a Lord of the Admiralty, as vice-Admiral for Suffolk and also his journal to St. Helena. Some of the papers document the families activities as merchants especially the knitting industry.

The manorial records and deeds are for Mulbarton and other places in Norfolk, for Roos Hall (Rosehall) near Beccles, Suffolk, for Stondon, Essex, for houses in Durham house yard, Hatton House and Hatton Garden and elsewhere in London and in Middlesex.

The legal documents include: a negative photostat of the will and probate of Sir John Suckling, 1626 and 1627, at Somerset House; the will and probate of Lady Elizabeth Rich, 1691 and 1694; inventories of the goods of Richard Rich, 1676 and Lady Elizabeth Rich, 1694; draft of an agreement between Charles Rich, hosier, and a frame work knitter of stockings, John Wells, 1672.

The papers of Sir Robert Rich include a few of his official papers as M.P. for Dunwich, Suffolk, 1689-1699, as one of the Lords of the Admiralty, 1691-1699, and as vice-Admiral for Suffolk, 1692-1699; his journal, undated, Feb. 5-July 20, 16[9]3; correspondence, 1688-1700; and the report by Richard Gibson of Sir Richard Munden's errors in Sir Richard's journal to St. Helena [in 1673], Aug. 7, 1683.

There is also one deed, that appears to have no connection to the Rich family, for Clunbury, Shropshire, 1639 at the end of the collection.

Dates

  • Majority of material found within Bulk, 1649-1715
  • 1485-ca. 1820

Creator

Availability

Collection is open for research.

Biographical note

The Rich family to whom these papers belonged came from East Anglia and a branch of the same family from which the Earls of Warwick were descended.

Sir Edwin Rich (d. 1640)
Of Mulbarton, Norfolk, was a younger brother of Robert, the first Earl of Warwick.
Sir Edwin Rich (1594-1675)
Married the widow of Sir John Suckling and so added the manor of Roos Hall (Rosehall) and Ashman's Hall, in Suffolk to the family properties in Norfolk.
Sir Charles Rich (ca. 1619-1677)
Sir Edwin Rich's (1594-1675) brother and heir. Sir Charles was a merchant of London who made a considerable fortune.
Lady Elizabeth Rich (ca. 1623-1694)
Daughter of John Cholmeley, of Kirkby, Underwood, Lincolnshire, and Elizabeth Pilkington. Married Sir Charles Rich on November 28, 1641. After the death of Sir Charles she married John Berners.
Sir Robert Rich (1648-1699)
Descendant of an earlier branch of the Rich family. Son of Colonel Nathaniel Rich of Stondon, Essex and Sir Charles's son-in-law. He was an M.P. for Dunwich in Suffolk, one of the Lords of the Admiralty and vice-Admiral for Suffolk in William III's reign.
Lady Mary Rich (d. 1714)
Was the daughter of Sir Charles Rich (ca. 1619-1677). She married Sir Robert Rich (1648-1699), a distant relative, on February 17, 1675/6.
Sir Robert Rich (1685-1768)
Was the second son of Sir Robert Rich (1648-1699) and Lady Mary Rich (d. 1714) He was an army officer.

Extent

231.0 items

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Contains family and estate papers of the Rich family of Mulbarton, Norfolk, and of Roos Hall and Ashman's Hall, Suffolk, principally of: Sir Edwin Rich (1594-1675); Sir Charles Rich (ca. 1619-1677); Sir Robert Rich (1648-1699); as well as of: Sir Edwin Rich (d. 1640); Richard Rich (1597-1676); Lady Elizabeth Rich (ca. 1623-1694); Lady Mary Rich (d. 1714); Civel Rich (d. 1716); Sir Robert Rich (1685-1768); and Charles Rich (ca. 1731-1808). The papers primarily consist of correspondence, manorial records and deeds, as well as wills, inventories, and other legal documents. Also, the papers of Sir Robert Rich (1648-1699) include a few of his official papers as M.P. for Dunwich, Suffolk, as a Lord of the Admiralty, as vice-Admiral for Suffolk and also his journal to St. Helena. Some of the papers document the families activities as merchants especially the knitting industry.

Arrangement

Arranged into 11 series by family member, with a miscellaneous deed with no apparent connection to the family in Series 11. These series are sometimes further divided into subseries such as: manorial records, title deeds and estate papers, legal and business papers, official papers, correspondence, and miscellaneous documents.

Within the series or subseries the correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent while other documents are arranged chronologically.

If a person's name as given in the document has later changed, the later version is also added. Place names have been modernized; only if the manuscript spelling differs noticeably from the modern version is it supplied within round brackets.

The documents arrived at the Folger in no obvious order and were arranged by Folger staff.

Provenance

There are some deeds, estate and family papers, and a compotus roll of 1485-1486, but the greater part of the collection comprises those papers acquired by Sir Robert while in office and the letters, mostly letters that he received from other officials, office seekers, naval officers and his family. Probably a small fraction of the papers that must once have existed.

Acquisition Information

The collection of Rich family papers was acquired in 1965 by the Folger Shakespeare Library in two parts. One group of papers came from Richard Gilbertson, a bookseller in Crediton, Devon, and another group at the Christie Sale on December 9, 1965 of manuscripts belonging to J.C. Rowan-Robinson, Esq.

Location of Originals

Folger MS X.d.451 (133) was kept by the owner (Gilbertson) and a photostat of the original was provided.

Folger MS X.d.451 (11) negative photostat, unknown location of original.

Other Formats

We are in the process of updating links in this finding aid. Until all links have been updated, please go to Papers of the Rich family, 1485-ca. 1820 (bulk 1649-1715) to view digital images of select items.

Also available on microfilm Film Fo. 4417.1 (reduction ratio 15:1, 79 feet).

Also X.d.451 (43-48; 117-214) are available on microfilm Film Fo. 3720 (reduction ratio 14:1, 17 feet); Sir Robert Rich's Journal, X.d.451 (95), is available on microfilm Film Fo. 84.4 (reduction ratio 8:1, 5 feet); and a Letter from a lady to Lady Mary Rich, X.d.451 (223), is available on microfilm Film Fo. 4422.8 (reduction ratio 13:1, 5 feet).

Portions of the papers are also available as digital images in LUNA https://luna.folger.edu/luna/servlet/s/9s29ad

Related Materials

Former owner Gilbertson's notes on the papers suggest that he disposed of some of the Rich papers in his possession before offering them to the Folger. A few of these closely describe the manuscripts in the Rowan-Robinson group from the Christies sale that it seems fairly certain that, except for a short time, the two groups were part of the larger collection in Mr. Gilbertson's bookshop. The whereabouts of the others that Mr. Gilbertson disposed of is unknown.

Processing Information

Processed by Folger Shakespeare Library staff.

List of Names

Aldred, John, fl. 1694-1727
X.d.451 (117) X.d.451 (214)
Anglesey, Arthur Annesley, Earl of, 1614-1686
X.d.451 (90)
Athlone, Godard van Reede, Earl of, 1644-1703
X.d.451 (212)
Balderston, George
X.d.451 (58)
Beane, W
X.d.451 (118)
Benbow, John, 1653-1702
X.d.451 (119-120)
Berners, Elizabeth (Cholmeley) Rich, ca.1623-1694
X.d.451 (41-48) X.d.451 (76-78) X.d.451 (59-66) X.d.451 (79-80) X.d.451 (215)
Berners, John
X.d.451 (53-80)
Bonner, Robert
X.d.451 (224)
Bradey, John
X.d.451 (135)
Brownrig, Ralph, bp. of Exeter, 1592-1659
X.d.451 (17)
Burrell, John, d. 1691
X.d.451 (39)
Carrington, Henry, ca.1725-1811?
X.d.451 (226)
Castleton, Sir John, 1644-1705
X.d.451 (121)
Catelyn, Sir Neville, 1633-1702
X.d.451 (122)
Civel, Elizabeth (Rich), d. 1712
X.d.451 (32) X.d.451 (123-124) X.d.451 (209)
Civel, Margaret
X.d.451 (125)
Civel, Peter, d. 1697
X.d.451 (32) X.d.451 (76-78) X.d.451 (67-75) X.d.451 (79) X.d.451 (50)
Clifford, Charles Boyle, baron, 1639-1694
X.d.451 (80)
Crawley, Thomas, d. 1701
X.d.451 (113)
Devonshire, William Cavendish, duke of, 1641-1707
X.d.451 (80)
Digges, -
X.d.451 (79)
Douglas, Andrew, d. 1725
X.d.451 (126)
Drake, Francis, d. 1729
X.d.451 (127)
Dummer, Edmund, d. 1713
X.d.451 (100)
Eade, John
X.d.451 (128)
Enfield, Middle Parish
X.d.451 (29)
Everett, George
X.d.451 (104)
Falkland, Anthony Cary, viscount, 1656-1694
X.d.451 (116)
Flemming, Sir Oliver
X.d.451 (36)
Foster, Edmund, fl. 1695
X.d.451 (129) X.d.451 (213)
Foulis, Thomas, fl. 1688-1702
X.d.451 (130)
Gibson, Richard, b. 1635
X.d.451 (91)
Grainge, Ra
X.d.451 (131)
Greenway, Robert
X.d.451 (47-48)
Halstead, Robert
X.d.451 (132)
Harvey, Thomas, fl. 1697-1701
X.d.451 (133)
Hatton, Christopher Hatton, viscount, 1632-1706
X.d.451 (23d) X.d.451 (23e) X.d.451 (23g) X.d.451 (23i) X.d.451 (23j)
Hedges, Sir Charles, d. 1714
X.d.451 (88) X.d.451 (134) X.d.451 (137)
Hodges, Sir William, 1645?-1714
X.d.451 (137)
Hollinshed, William
X.d.451 (135)
Horsey, Richard, d. 1734
X.d.451 (136)
Houblon, Sir John, d. 1712
X.d.451 (137)
Howard, Sir Robert, 1626-1698
X.d.451 (90)
Howard, Sir Robert, fl. 1616-1639
X.d.451 (231)
Launy, James
X.d.451 (138)
Leake, Sir Andrew, d. 1704
X.d.451 (123b)
Lee, Sir Thomas, 1635-1691
X.d.451 (93)
Leman, M
X.d.451 (139)
Lingham, Richard, d. 1663
X.d.451 (231)
Lock, Elizabeth
X.d.451 (140)
Lorkin, John
X.d.451 (55-56)
Lowther, Sir John, 1642-1706
X.d.451 (116)
Mansel, Bussy, 1623-1699
X.d.451 (21)
Mansel, Sir Edward, fl. 1650?-1680?
X.d.451 (21)
Martin, John
X.d.451 (141)
Massam, Elizabeth (Rich) Ward
X.d.451 (228)
Montagu, Edward, 1635-1665
X.d.451 (25)
Montagu, Ralph Montagu, duke of, 1638-1709
X.d.451 (26-27)
Moore, Christopher, d. 1696
X.d.451 (200-201)
Moore, Sir George, ca.1636-1678
X.d.451 (79)
Munden, Sir Richard, 1640-1680
X.d.451 (91)
Neale, Thomas, ca. 1651-1704
X.d.451 (142)
Nelson, Charles Rich
X.d.451 (229-230)
Nicholls, John
X.d.451 (143)
Orford, Edward Russell, Earl of, 1652-1727
X.d.451 (98)
Pacy, Samuel, fl. 1680-1698
X.d.451 (144-146)
Pacy, William
X.d.451 (147)
Palmer, -
X.d.451 (17)
Papillon, Thomas, 1623-1702
X.d.451 (148)
Perry, John, 1670-1732
X.d.451 (108)
Pilkington, Edward
X.d.451 (45)
Pilkington, Henry
X.d.451 (43)
Pilkington, Jane
X.d.451 (46)
Pilkington, Robert
X.d.451 (24)
Pilkington, Thomas
X.d.451 (44)
Player, Sir Thomas, d. 1686
X.d.451 (40)
Postle, John
X.d.451 (149)
Preistman, Henry, d. 1712
X.d.451 (116)
Rebow, Sir Isaac, ca.1646-1726
X.d.451 (84) X.d.451 (150)
Rich, Charles, ca.1731-1808
X.d.451 (226-227)
Rich, Charles, fl. 1820
X.d.451 (229)
Rich, Civel, d. 1716
X.d.451 (220-222) X.d.451 (225)
Rich, Cope, 1635-1676
X.d.451 (51)
Rich, Edward Aaron, b. 1691
X.d.451 (226)
Rich, Elizabeth (Kerr)
X.d.451 (166)
Rich, Henry
X.d.451 (167)
Rich, Mary (Rich), lady, d. 1714
X.d.451 (215-223)
Rich, Mary (Rudd)
X.d.451 (168-169)
Rich, Nathaniel
X.d.451 (52) X.d.451 (179-186)
Rich, Nathaniel
X.d.451 (187)
Rich, Nathaniel, d. 1701
X.d.451 (57) X.d.451 (52) X.d.451 (170-178)
Rich, Richard, 1597-1676
X.d.451 (19) X.d.451 (30-31) X.d.451 (34)
Rich, Robert
X.d.451 (190-192)
Rich, Sir Charles, ca, 1680-1706
X.d.451 (151-165)
Rich, Sir Charles, ca.1619-1677
X.d.451 (20-40) X.d.451 (53-78)
Rich, Sir Edwin, 1594-1675
X.d.451 (2-18) X.d.451 (20) X.d.451 (29-34) X.d.451 (219)
Rich, Sir Edwin, d. 1640
X.d.451 (1)
Rich, Sir Robert, 1648-1699
X.d.451 (22) X.d.451 (23i) X.d.451 (23j) X.d.451 (49-214)
Rich, Sir Robert, 1685-1768
X.d.451 (188-189) X.d.451 (224)
Rich, William, b. 1693
X.d.451 (226)
Rooke, Sir George, 1650-1709
X.d.451 (105-107)
Rous, Sir John, ca.1608-1670
X.d.451 (14)
Roydhouse, Joseph, d. 1709
X.d.451 (193)
Salisbury, James Cecil, Earl of, ca.1646-1683
X.d.451 (23a)
Salisbury, William Cecil, Earl of, 1591-1668
X.d.451 (7)
Sallowes, Abraham
X.d.451 (194)
Shaw, John
X.d.451 (33)
Sheffeild, John
X.d.451 (49)
Shephard, Simon
X.d.451 (195)
Slater, Katherine
X.d.451 (51)
Smith, Ann
X.d.451 (35)
Solley, Benjamin, 1640-1714
X.d.451 (213)
Sotherne, James, fl. 1677-1695
X.d.451 (116)
Stevens, Robert, d. 1704
X.d.451 (196)
Suckling, Robert, d. 1690
X.d.451 (12)
Suckling, Sir John, 1569-1627
X.d.451 (10-11)
Sweden, Sovereigns, etc. 1660-1697 (Charles XI)
X.d.451 (103)
Syred, John
X.d.451 (135)
Trinity house, London
X.d.451 (89)
Trumbull, Sir William, 1639-1716
X.d.451 (134)
Vincent, Samuel, fl. 1675
X.d.451 (8-9)
Ward, Sir Patience, 1629-1696
X.d.451 (54)
Weddell, William, d. 1730
X.d.451 (214)
Wells, John
X.d.451 (28)
Wheler, Sir Francis, 1656?-1694
X.d.451 (102)
White, Benjamin
X.d.451 (197)
White, Elizabeth (Rich)
X.d.451 (216)
White, Jer
X.d.451 (198)
White, Richard, d. 1700
X.d.451 (137) X.d.451 (216) X.d.451 (199-209)
William III, King of England, 1650-1702
X.d.451 (216-217)
Winchilsea, Charles Finch, Earl of, 1672-1712
X.d.451 (212)
Yarmouth, Robert Paston, Earl of, 1631-1683
X.d.451 (13) X.d.451 (15-16)
Young, Richard
X.d.451 (210)
Title
Guide to the Papers of the Rich Family, 1485-ca. 1820 (bulk 1649-1715) Folger MS X.d.451 (1-231) Folger MS X.d.451 (1-231)
Status
Unverified Full Draft
Author
Finding aid prepared by Folger staff, 2002; revised in October 2010 by Alison E. Bridger, and in February 2012 by Jesse Lambertson.
Date
2002
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is written in: English, Latin script.

Revision Statements

  • October 2010: Converted from EAD 1.0 to EAD 2002 in 2010; imported into AT in 2010 and revised in October 2010.

Repository Details

Part of the Folger Shakespeare Library Repository

Contact:
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