Finding Aid for the Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington Papers
MS.1973.004
Rebecca Ruud
William Andrews Clark Memorial Library
2012
2520 Cimarron Street
Los Angeles 90018
clark@humnet.ucla.edu
Contributing Institution:
William Andrews Clark Memorial Library
Title: Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington Papers
Identifier/Call Number: MS.1973.004
Physical Description:
0.4 Linear Feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1713-1732
Date (bulk): 1717-1727
Abstract: Accounts, inventories, and receipts of George II and Spencer Compton.
Physical Location: Clark Library
Language of Material: Collection materials in English
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, UCLA. All requests for permission to publish
or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Clark Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf
of the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, UCLA as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply
permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington Papers, MS.1973.004, William Andrews Clark Memorial Library,
University of California, Los Angeles.
Acquisiton note
Purchase, Winifred Myers, 1973.
Processing History
This collection was previously physcially processed and cataloged at the collection level. The collection was reprocessed
and described by Rebecca Ruud in 2012.
Biography
Spencer Compton, earl of Wilmington (1673?-1743) worked from 1715-1727 as the Prince of Wales' Treasurer. In 1713 Compton
joined Parliament as a member from East Grinstead. In 1715 he was unanimously voted Speaker and remained in that position
until 1727. In 1716 he joined the Privy council, was Paymaster General from 1722-1730, and was titled Knight of the Bath
in 1725. When the Prince of Wales took the throne as George II, Compton was encouraged to become the Prime Minister. However,
he declined and Walpole took the position. On January 11, 1728, as a concession, George II titled Compton the Baron Wilmington.
He was further made Lord Privy Seal, Lord President of the Council, Knight of the Garter, and the First Lord of the Treasury.
In 1742 he claimed the position of Prime Minister, but held the title only in name. In 1742, he was again named Speaker of
the House. Compton died on July 1743.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains the household accounts and inventories of George II, while he was Prince of Wales. These accounts,
drawn up by his Treasurer Spencer Compton, earl of Wilmington, contain records from 1714-1727. This collection also contains
Spencer Compton's personal papers, household accounts, and the accounts to Spencer by Richard Andrew and Edward Godfrey.
Arrangement
This collection contains two series. One includes accounts, reports, and inventories relating to the Prince of Wales from
1713-1727. The other series is made up of Spencer Compton, earl of Wilmington's papers.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Accounts -- England -- 18th century
Inventories -- England -- 18th century
Receipts (financial records) -- England -- 18th century
Spencer Compton papers Series 1.
1714-1732
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents note
Includes Compton's accounts, a list of his books, his records of fees and expenses as Speaker, reports, lists of petitioners,
and some correspondence, as well as the accounts of Richard Andrew and Edward Godfrey to Spencer Compton.
Box 1, Folder 1
Personal papers of Spencer Compton
1713-1720
Scope and Contents
Includes: Accounts of Annual Receipts as Speaker 1715-1721; News Woman's bills from Susan Winbirsh for 1725; handwritten library
inventory; accounts related to "Mr Speaker's servants"; inventory of "goods left in the office" by Compton, 1713; Receipts
for "goods left in the lodgings" of Compton at Whitehall, 1716; "Phebe Raby's Contingent Bill from Xmas 1724 to Midsr. 1725";
receipt for book purchases; receipt for laundering and washing from Elizabeth Callowe to Lady Compton, 1720-1722.
Box 1, Folder 2
Accounts of Richard Andrew and Edward Godfrey
1716-1727
Box 1, Folder 3
Miscellaneous items including reports and lists of petitioners
1714-1730
Scope and Contents
Includes: "Case of the Directors as to Exceedings in Dividends" (about 1727); Petition of William Baily, Surveyor for Chester,
Cryer, and Messenger for The Court of Exchequer in Chester, to have his son Joseph Winkles appointed as his successor (1715);
draft judgement Small v. Wing (1730); Copy of the Lords Report concerning the Equivalent (1714); "A True State of His Royall
Highness' Expence under the Management of Mr Treasurer Compton for 4 years" ; Estimate of the Sinking Fund (1727); lists of
petitioners and locations.
Box 1, Folder 4
Records of Fees and Expenses
1714-1732
Scope and Contents
Receipts and accounting reports on various Treasury and Parliament activities; receipt "To Mr Sharrack jeweller" for a diamond
George; accounting files for expenses in Compton's office.
Prince of Wales papers Series 2.
1713-1727
Scope and Contents note
This series includes the accounts of George, Prince of Wales. Including receipts, household expenses, household inventories,
abstracts of the Treasury, and copies of the Prince of Wales' Establishment.
Box 1, Folder 5
Inventories of the plate, toilette, and household items
Scope and Contents
Includes: recommendation from the Duke of Devonshire for Robert Nicholson to be Pewterer to the Prince; inventories of plate
in the possession of the Prince, as well as his plate in the possession of other people
Box 1, Folder 6
Abstracts of the Treasury Accounts
1714-1727
Box 1, Folder 7
The Prince of Wales' establishment
1717 and 1721
Box 1, Folder 8
Accounts of royal household expenses
Scope and Contents
Includes: Household accounts for the Prince, including for wines from Bordeaux, "wax lights" (broken down by white wax and
yellow wax, linens, and laundry.
Box 1, Folder 9-12
Receipts
1717-1727
Scope and Contents
Includes: receipts from Mr. Tench, engrosser to the Prince of Wales; receipts related to the estate of James Calthorpe; receipts
from payment by the Earl of Northampton to "Lady Betty Compton and her sisters," George Compton, Charles Compton, Dougall
McDougall (1726-1727).
