U.K. - Document - Historical vellum document - 1795

A very large two page antique document with historical interest and provenance, handscribed on vellum and dated 25th March 1795 with wax seal and duty stamps. It records an agreement between "The Right Honourable The Baroness of Greenwich" and "His Excellency The Baron de Alvensleben and is a "Counterpart lease for houses on Hamm Common for 42 years from the date Rent £68.5 per annum". Baron de Alvensleben was Hanover’s minister (diplomatic representative) at the Court of St James’s at this time.​

The Baroness of Greenwich was Caroline Townshend (née Campbell 1717 – 1794) she was a British peeress, the daughter and eldest child of John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, and his wife, the former Jane Warburton. She was a sister of the diarist Lady Mary Coke. On 2 October 1742, she married Francis Scott, Earl of Dalkeith (a son of the 2nd Duke of Buccleuch), and took the courtesy title of Countess of Dalkeith. They became parents of Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch (1746–1812).

The House of Alvensleben is an ancient, German noble family from the Altmark region, whose earliest known member, Wichard de Alvensleve, is first mentioned in 1163 as a ministerialis of the Bishopric of Halberstadt. The family name derives from Alvensleben Castle (today Bebertal, district of Börde in Saxony-Anhalt). They are one of the oldest extant German aristocratic families.


"Sealed and delivered in the presence of John Elliott Charles Henzen."

The document measures 60 x 75cm.

A unique and fascinating historical document.