Mrs Staunton, wife of Colonel Staunton.
Thus the consequences of the Civil War were most disastrous to Colonel Staunton. With his health shattered by his privations and troubles, he returned to his home, where he lived quietly until his death on the 1st March, 1656, in the 48th year of his age, leaving a sadly diminished estate to his eldest son, Major. His granddaughter shortly describes the state of affairs:—"He (Colonel Staunton) enclosed that part of Staunton Lordship (wch was a wheatfield) in 1640 wch ye Civil War occasioned him first to mortgage and after to sell to Cartwright not long before his decease first ye enclosure, then Robert Fisher's farm with other lands in Kilvington, all of wch were sold for £3,500." In his will he left the following legacies:—To his daughter Mary £800, Anne £400, Elizabeth £300, and Katherine £300. To his sons William and Ralph he left £200 each. He evidently despaired of the future of his family after the great misfortunes he had suffered, as he instructed his executors to put the two above-named sons out as apprentices, and to apply what remained of their legacies in setting them up in some trade when out of apprenticeship.
At the Restoration Anne Staunton presented the following petition to Charles II. :—
PETITION OF ANNE STAUNTON.
July, 1660.
To the King's most excellent Maty.
The humble petition of Anne Staunton, widow of Col. William Staunton, humbly sheweth
That her deceased husband did faithfully serve yo'r Ma'tie's Royal Father from the time of his setting up the Standard at Nott. during all the times of the War, and at his own Charges and raysed a Regiment of Foot and a Troop of Horse, and fought at Edge Hill, Branford, and in the Garrison of Newark till the place surrendered, and by this means was enforced to expose his house, estate, and family to the cruelty of the enemy, and to contract great debts by composition and other pressures which thereby occasioned the sale of most of his ancient paternal fortunes, and yo'r petitioner's jointure, so that she and her children were left in a deplorable condition.
Yo'r petitioner being thus disabled to support herself and children, she humbly beseecheth yo'r Ma'tie to be graciously pleased to confer upon Ralph Staunton, one of her younger sons, a Scholarship in the Charter House at the next Election.
And she shall ever pray for your Ma'tie's long and prosperous Reign.
Endorsed :
I know all this to be most true.
G. H. Sheldon.
Ralph Staunton became a Scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge, and afterwards Rector of Wilford. He died 25 September, 1694, aged 42, and was buried in St. Mary's Church, Nottingham.
Major Staunton sold the Dovecote Close to Dr. Margetson (who, on the Restoration, became Bishop of Armagh), and later sold Fulwell's Farm and the Butt Close, realising by these transactions about £2,000. With this sum he defrayed his father's debts and legacies, with the exception of his sister Mary's portion. She had married William Sacheverell, of Morley, in Derbyshire, and an arrangement was come to by which Major Staunton transferred to his brother-in-law the property known as the Chequers Close. To quote Annie Charlton again: "Thus ye small remainder of ye Estate broken and encumbered by the then late Warrs was lessened by ye carelessness and extravagance of my uncle Major, who in less than four years expended £1,500 more than his income. He dyed Anno Domini 1660 in ye 28th year of his age. Thus Providence seemed to determine a final period to ye name as well as estate wch happened to my father (Harvey Staunton) who succeeded him to his narrow estate and fortune .... but it pleased God so to bess him that he married Anne ye sole heiress of George Cam, Gentleman, who was worth better than £9,000 to him.
We have few details of Harvey Staunton who led a quiet, retired life at Staunton. During the years 1687 and 1688, he acted as Treasurer to the Earl of Rutland's Hospital, at Bottesford, being succeeded after his death in this office by Sir Robert Markham. Harvey Staunton held land on lease from Trinity College, and the following letter refers to this property.
Letter from Mr. John Laughton directed to Harvey Staunton, Esq., at his house at Staunton in Nottinghamshire—
"Jan. 22nd, 7, 89.
Hond. Cozen,
The sum of £ 83. 10. 0 wch you sent by Rubbins I have received and have given him an acquittance; I went forthwith this morning to dispose of it according to your order, but Dr. Marshall being not at leisure for business of ye like nature (for he was telling of a great sum of money upon accompt of another lease) did appoint me to corne again this afternoon, so that I am prevented in my design of sending you his acquittance by ye carrier this return. However I went to Dr. Patman and have dispatched it, as you'l find by ye enclosed papers. I have also been with our College Register who hath promised to make wt hast he can wth your leases, he having already two others at ye same time to transcribe. But I have computed and find yt you cannot have yours ye next return of ye carrier, for ye Master Dr. North being now at London he must first be sent unto for his consent before it can be sealed and delivered, besides ye counterpart must be sent down to you to be signed, all wch will take up a fortnight's time at least. I shall not omit to let Dr. Marshall know (as modestly as I can) yt you have not been favoured so much as they might have done, and I shall have occasion to discourse wth ye SRS (seniors) again but really I have not the least hope to get any abatement. They were earnest wth me to Dun you for our library, but I rebufft the masters somewhat smartly telling them that ye ancestors yt were in effect our Founders had sufficiently excused all their property, for it was first by their liberality yt we were made capable of future benefactions, and then I told 'em yt your brother Ralph had given so generously yt it might sufficiently have served for you both. Such like talk as this I have had twice or thrice with them. Either to-morrow or Saturday I shall write to you by ye post, having nothing more to informe of at present, only I must take ye boldness to expostulate a little with you before I conclude, for transgressing ye measure of friendship and courtesy for you have sent me 20s. by way of gratuity! Do you think I can receive it without blushing from you? Tho' you perhaps can forget your past kindnesses towards undeserving friends, 'tis not ingenuity or honesty for those yt receive them to do so. Do you imagine either yt I should ye no trouble you have put me to agst such a requitall or think it any retribution ......... degree for so many favours I am yet indebted to you for. Good Cozen hereafter when it is in yr power let ........ have the satisfaction of having also the possibility to show myself yt I am
Your thankful and obliged S'vant and Kinsman,
John Laughton.
Pray recommend me to all relations and friends."
Dr. Staunton in writing an account of the Staunton Family in 1822, states "The family had property in Yorkshire held under lease of Trinity College which Mrs. Staunton and I sold a few years ago by direction of Mrs. Charlton's will. Mrs. Staunton had a seal given by Trinity College to the family which the late Mrs. Charlton wore upon all high days, said 'it was an omen of good luck, and that she was always sure to be lucky when she wore that ring'."
INVENTORY OF HARVEY STAUNTON, 1689.
| A true and p(er)fect inventory of all and singuler the goods Cattells and Chattels, debts and creditts of Harvey Staunton, of Staunton, in the County of Nottingham, Esq., as the (same) was taken and apprised the day of by Thomas Barrett, of Thoroton, in the County afores(ai)d, gen(tleman), Jo. Barrett of the same, gen(tleman), Thomas Fisher, of Haughton, gen(tleman), and Willm. Wright, of Orston, yeom(an). Anno Dom; 1689. | ||||
| Impris | — His purse and apparell | £20 | 0 | 0 |
| In the Hall. | ||||
| Itm— | One lanthorne and some pictures | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| In the great Parler. | ||||
| Itm— | One great table, 18 chares, 18 cushions, one Sett of hangings, one pare of tables | 14 | 6 | 0 |
| In the Study. | ||||
| Itm— | One little table with sev(er)all bookes therein | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| In the little Parler. | ||||
| Itm— | One grate, one fireshovell, two tables, 12 lether chares, one wetherglass | 2 | 15 | 0 |
| In the Pantry. | ||||
| Itm— | One napkin presser, one cubbert and a chare | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| In the Seller. | ||||
| Itm— | Twelve hodgsheads, 12 dozen of bottells with other utencills in the same roome | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| In the Dary. | ||||
| Itm— | One churne, one soe, 3kitts | 0 | 10 | 0 |
|
In the Pa . . . . |
|
|
|
| Itm— | Three kembnells, 3 temes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| In the Brewhouse. | ||||
| Itm— | One cheese press, 4 tubbs, one soe | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| In the wight Cham(ber). | ||||
| Itm— | One clock | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| In the same roome, one fireiron, two little tables, 2 stands, one bedstead, curtens, one feather bed, 3 blanketts, two pillowes, one bolster, ye hangings, 4 chares with other utensells in the same roome | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| In the Clossett. | ||||
| Itm— | One trundle bed, one fether bed, one bolster, 2 blanketts |
3 | 0 | 0 |
| In the malted Chamber. | ||||
| Itm— | One fireiron, one bedstead, curtens and vallence, one fether bed, 4 blankets, one matteris, one bolster, 2 pillowes, one little table, 6 chares, 2 stands, one seeing glass | 6 | 13 | 0 |
| In the horded Chamber. | ||||
| Itm— | One grate, one bedstead, curtens and vallence, one fetherbed, one quilt, 2 blankets, one materis, one bolster, 2 pillowes | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| In the same roome, 2 chests of drawers, one seeing glass, 3 chares | 1 | 6 | 0 | |
| In the Chamber over ye Porch. | ||||
| Itm— | One bedstead, one fetherbed, 2 blane(kets), one case of drawers, 2 chares | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| In the Clossett next to it. | ||||
| Itm— | One table, one trunk with other utensils in the same |
1 | 0 | 0 |
| In the Nursery. | ||||
| Itm— | One bedstead, curtens and vallence, one fetherbed, two trunks |
3 | 0 | 0 |
| In the Gallary Chamber. | ||||
| Itm— | One bed, one bedstead, curtens and vallence, one fetherbed, one trundle bed, one bolster, one cov(er)lid and two blankets |
2 | 0 | 0 |
| In the Men's Chamber. | ||||
| Itm— | One bedstead, curtens and vallence, one rugg, 2 chares, and one stoole | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| In the Garratt. | ||||
| Itm— | One bedstead, two fetherbeds, 4 coverlids, and two blancketts |
2 | 10 | 0 |
| In the Chamber over the Study. | ||||
| Itm— | One bedstead, curtens and vallence, one
fetherbed, one bolster, one pillow, one rugg,
two blancketts, two chares with other utensills in the sd roome |
3 | 0 | 0 |
| In the Chamber over the Parler. | ||||
| Itm — | One bedstead, one fetherbed, two blancketts... | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| In the Kitchen. | ||||
| Itm — | 4 potts, 7 pans | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Itm — | Four dozen of pewter plates | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Itm — | 7 Thirty pewter dishes, one sesterne, 4 stands, reaches, one limbeck, one mill, 2 pewter flaggons | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Itm — | Nyne brass candlesticks and a plate heater | 0 | 16 | 6 |
| Itm — | One warming pan, one jack, one case of pistells and holsters, one table, one stew, one chare | 1 | 10 | 0 |
|
In the Stables. |
|
|
|
| Itm — | Seven mares | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| Itm — | Three yearlings | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Itm — | Four geldings | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Itm — | One broune coult, one grey colt | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Itm — | Four cowes, one bull | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Itm — | In the graunge house, 8 sheep cribs | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Itm — | Plow ........ and other wood | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| In the Graunce Chamber. | ||||
| Itm — | Wheat, mault and pease | 3 | 10 | 0 |
| In the same roome, 2, one strike, two seives, and other utensells in the sd roome | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| In the Stable. | ||||
| Itm — | 4 saddles, 2 sid saddels, 4 bridles | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| In the Yard. | ||||
| Itm — | One boare, 2 hoggs, one sow and 5 piggs ..... | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Itm — | One waggon, 2 cartes and carte geares, one water carte | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Itm — | Two harrowes, three plowes and plow geares, 2 steads... | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Itm — | One framed hovel, 8 fur poles | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Itm — | Wood in the yard | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Itm — | One hovell of pease | 8 | 10 | 0 |
| Itm — | Barley in the barne | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Itm — | One hundred fifty-six (?sheep) | |||
| Itm — | Four young bease | 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Itm — | Hay in the Checkes (?Chequers field) and 8 fence treas | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Itm — | Debts oweing to the testator | 70 | 7 | 10 |
| Itm — | Things forgott and unprized | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Signed — Tho. Barrett. Sume total | £316 | 1 | 0 | |
| John Barrett. | ||||
| Tho. Fisher. | ||||
| William Wright. |
Harvey Staunton died on 23 February, 1688-9, and was the last male heir after an uninterrupted succession of some 600 years. His estates were settled upon his four daughters in equal shares. He had also two sons and two daughters who died in their infancy. Of the surviving daughters Anne married Gilbert second son of Sir Job Charlton, of Ludford, in the County of Hereford, Mary married Richard Brandreth, of Shenston, Staffordshire, Elizabeth married Robert Sacheverel, of Barton, Notts, and Jane married Simon Degge, of Derby.
By a deed dated the 9th and 10th September, 1697, it was agreed that in consideration of a sum of £6,100 the three younger daughters relinquished their interest in the Manor, Estate, and Advowson, of Staunton, in favour of their eldest sister Anne and her husband Gilbert Charlton who thus become sole possessors of the property which they bequeathed to their eldest son Job Staunton Charlton. Their second son Gilbert became Rector of Staunton, and their youngest daughter Annie married Richard Brough, of Thoroton, and the grand-daughter of this match in 1807, inherited the Staunton property under the will of Miss Anne Charlton.
Job Staunton Charlton represented the Borough of Newark in three Parliaments, and in 1758 he was granted a pension of £500 per annum charged upon the Irish revenue. The Freedom of the Borough of Newark was bestowed upon him in 1741, during the course of a contested election.
On his death he left his estate to his four daughters jointly. Anne, the survivor, as above mentioned, bequeathed the property to her second cousin Elizabeth Brough, who had married Rev. John Aspenshaw, L.L.D., on condition that she, her husband and their successors should take the name and bear the arms of Staunton only. This condition was duly carried out on Anne Charlton's death in 1807 when Dr. and Mrs. Staunton came into possession.
Dr. Staunton was a notable pluralist. He was Rector of St. Peter's, Nottingham, from 1797 to 1814 and in 1804 was appointed Vicar of Hinckley and Stoke, Leicestershire. After holding Hinckley for eight years he resigned the living to become Rector of Elton-super-Montem, Notts. He gave up St. Peter's, Nottingham, in the following year; but, while still continuing to hold Elton, he successively presented himself to the livings of Kilvington in 1813 and Staunton-cum-Flawborough in 1828. His account book shows that he never resided at Hinckley, but provided a curate for that parish at a stipend of £50 per annum and another for Stoke at £60 per annum. Apparently he visited the parish twice yearly and gave a dinner at Stoke annually at a cost of about £1. 12. 0. The Hinckley expenses also include the sum of £1.3.0 for twelve pairs of Black Stockings, but it is not stated for whom they were purchased. For a time after becoming Rector of Kilvington, Dr. Staunton conducted services in the Church there, but these finally ceased, when the inhabitants came to Staunton Church only half-a-mile distant. Kilvington Church gradually fell into a ruinous condition and was used as a sheep fold until after Dr. Staunton's death when it was rebuilt by his grandson the Rev. John Gordon.
The following figures will show the income Dr. Staunton derived from his various livings—
| Rectory of St. Peter's, Nottingham, 1797 to 1814. | ||
| Income probably about | £400 | gross. |
| Vicarage of Hinckley with Stoke, 1804 to 1813. | ||
| Gross Income | £603 | |
| Expenditure, including two Curates | 200 | |
| 403 | net. | |
| Rectory of Elton-super-Montem, 1813 to 1851 | 340 | gross. |
| Rectory of Kilvington, 1813 to 1851 | 106 | gross. |
| Rectory of Staunton-cum-Flawborough, 1828 to 1851 | 500 | gross. |
Dr. Staunton was an able man of business and much improved the Staunton Estate by judicious planting of timber. He was Chairman of Quarter Sessions, and in 1844 his friends and neighbours presented him with his full-length portrait, in oils, which now hangs in Staunton Hall. In the year 1814, the Prince Regent visited Belvoir Castle upon the occasion of the christening of the Marquis of Granby, when Dr. Staunton, by virtue of his tenure of Castle Guard, presented the Gold Key of the Staunton Tower to the Prince with an appropriate speech. This was again done in 1833 on the Duke of Gloucester's visit. In 1834, the late Queen Victoria made a short stay at Belvoir Castle and the Rev. William Job Charlton Staunton, son of Dr. Staunton, in his turn carried out the ceremony as did the late Rev. Francis Staunton when King Edward VII, then Prince of Wales, visited the Castle in 1866.
It is probable that when Sir Walter Scott contemplated the writing of the "Heart of Midlothian" he visited Staunton, it being his custom to personally inspect the localities described in his works. He makes the wayward and unhappy Sir George Staunton a leading character, and causes Jeanie Deans the heroine to visit Staunton (called Willingham), an engraving of Staunton Hall and Church being given in the Abbotsford Edition of the Waverley Novels.
Dr. Staunton was succeeded in the property by his three grandsons George William Malger, Henry Charlton, and Francis successively. The last, the Rev. Francis Staunton, who was both squire and rector of Staunton, died in 1888, and the estate is now in the possession of his eldest son.