T Historical

DATE: 1653-2005

LEVEL: Series

Records documenting the history of the Dartington estate and its owners. Most of the papers are those of twentieth century historians, architects, and archaeologists employed by the Trust to investigate the history of Dartington Hall. In addition there is correspondence with architect William Weir who supervised the restoration of the medieval Great Hall; medieval architecture historian John Harvey; and correspondence with other Devon historians, archivists, and researchers dating from 1929.

Most of this series consists of the research records of historian Anthony Emery who was supported by the Trust over the course of seven years spent researching and writing Dartington's history. This work was finally published by the Clarendon Press in 1970. Emery's records include extensive Latin transcripts and translations referencing Dartington.

Records of archaeological excavations at Dartington include those of Colin Platt, in 1962, who directed a team excavating the south lawn at Dartington Hall in association with Emery. Pottery finds from this excavation were transferred to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum at Exeter. Other artefacts, particularly coins found on the estate are included in this archive. Later archaeological work at Dartington is also recorded here. This includes resistivity and other geophysical surveys to 2005, and records of excavations in the Hall Gardens and at old Church of St Mary, Dartington.

Genealogical information concentrates on the Holand and Champernowne families.

Correspondence with Anthony Emery is perhaps most significant. The series includes Emery's research and notes, as well as published articles on the history of Dartington and related medieval buildings, drafts of Emery's 1965 dissertation, 'Dartington Hall: A Family and Architectural History and Survey'; and 4 manuscript boxes containing typed transcriptions and translations of historical records mentioning Dartington and its families. There is also a box of Victor Bonham-Carter's records of his work at Dartington.

Lastly, the series includes original Champernowne family manorial records including an indenture for Harlow Mills, Essex, 1653; a farm account ledger dating from the 1700s; Dartington estate accounts and receipts, 1744-1845; records of tenant farmer distraints and distresses (forced sales) with inventories of tenants' personal and farm property in Dartington, 1810-1835; five indentures for land at Ilsington, Devon, 1705-1774; and a parchment schedule of apportionment of the rent-charge in lieu of tithes in the Parish of Dartington in the county of Devon.

Record series begun by Dartington trustee Leonard Elmhirst who maintained a lifelong interest in the history and archaelogy of Dartington, especially the Great Hall and medieval buildings. To this end he employed historians and researchers to seek out as many manuscripts mentioning Dartington as possible. Beginning in 1929, John Benson was employed to research and compile notes on the history of Dartington especially the life and times of John Holand, Duke of Exeter.

Leonard also employed other researchers including John Scanes, who painstakingly transcribed 3 volumes of 16th century Dartington churchwardens accounts preserved at the Exeter City Library. Other historians employed included Victor Bonham-Carter who was affiliated with Dartington for over 15 years. Leonard Elmhirst supported Dartington history research and publications by Anthony Emery. Medieval architecture scholar John H Harvey also advised the Trust on its history.

Information for Researchers

All papers belonging to The Dartington Hall Trust Archive (with the exclusion of Dartington Hall School pupils individual records) are held at the Devon Record Office. All enquiries relating to research should be made to Devon Records Office, Great Moor House, Bittern Road, Sowton, Exeter, Devon EX2 7NL
+44 (0)1392 384253
+44 (0)1392 384256
devrec@devon.gov.uk
www.devon.gov.uk/record_office

The following requests should be made direct to the Archives & Records at The Dartington Hall Trust as shown below:
Copies of images as seen on The Dartington Hall Trust online catalogue with appropriate reference number (Ref No.)
Permission to publish or quote from any document held in the Dartington Hall Trust Archive
Former pupils of Dartington Hall School wishing to view their records
Archives & Records
The Dartington Hall Trust
Dartington Hall
Totnes TQ9 6EL
01803 847200
yvonne.widger@dartington.org

This information is copyright The Dartington Hall Trust