Finding Aid for the Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington Papers MS.1973.004

Finding aid prepared by Rebecca Ruud
William Andrews Clark Memorial Library
2520 Cimarron Street
Los Angeles, CA, 90018
(323) 731-8529
rfenning@humnet.ucla.edu
2012


Title: Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington Papers
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1717-1727
Date (inclusive): 1713-1732
Collection number: MS.1973.004
Creator: Compton, Spencer, Earl of Wilmington, 1673?-1743
Contributing Institution: William Andrews Clark Memorial Library
Abstract: Accounts, inventories, and receipts of George II and Spencer Compton.
Physical Location: Clark Library
Extent: 0.4 Linear feet (1 box)
Language of Materials: 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 physically 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.

Indexing terms

George II, King of Great Britain, 1683-1760 -- Archives
Accounts--England--18th century
Inventories--England--18th century
Receipts (financial records)--England--18th century


 

Series 1.  Spencer Compton papers 1714-1732

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

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

Box 1, Folder 4

Records of Fees and Expenses 1714-1732

 

Series 2.  Prince of Wales papers 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

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

Box 1, Folder 9-12

Receipts 1717-1727