Conyngham Manuscripts

Manorial documents, deeds and other documents relating to the Conyngham family estates at Bifrons in Patrixbourne and in Minster-in-Thanet

With the depositor's consent the Irish paper have been transferred to the National Library of Ireland at Dublin.

Deposited by Rt. Hon. the Earl of Mount Charles, July 1954

Accession information: Accession 522: M1; M2

The collection was received from a furniture depository and included a large quantity of Irish material also.

This is essentially an accumulation of estate archives, no family papers having been deposited. Major General Henry Conyngham of Slane (co. Meath) married the daughter of Sir John Williams of Minster, Thanet thus creating a connection with Kent of great territorial significance. His son was successively created Baron Conyngham of Mount Charles, 1753, Viscount Conyngham in 1756, and Baron and Earl Conyngham of Mount Charles, 1781, with a special remainder to his nephew and heir Francis Pierpoint Burton. Lord Conyngham married Ellen, daughter of Soloman Merrett of London, merchant, who survived her husband and died in 1816.

On the death of Lord Conyngham in 1781, his last title only of Baron of Mount Charles passed to his nephew and he also took the surname Conyngham. His son, who married Elizabeth Denison, served in the army and became successively Viscount, 1789, Earl, 1797, and Marquess, 1816. Lady Conyngham was a favourite of George IV and her husband was Lord Steward of the Household during his marquessate, Bifrons in Patrixbourne, came to the estate from the Taylor family and became the Kentish centre of Conyngham influence.

In the 20th century the importance of this vast estate stretching between Canterbury and Broadstairs was enhanced by the development of the Kent Coalfield. As lords of the manor of Minster which covered most of Thanet the Conyngham family had considerable foreshore rights from Birchington to Ramsgate and also rights of wreck. Numerous disputes arose over the using of these powers.