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Overview

Biographical Note

Scope and Content

Arrangement

Preferred Citation

Restrictions on Access

Restrictions on Use

Related Material

Subject Terms

Container List [ + ]

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Guide to the Countess of Huntingdon Papers

Prepared by Kristen Turner and Mark C. Shenise, Associate Archivists

United Methodist Archives and History Center
General Commission on Archives and History, Madison, New Jersey
(Published for Drew University Methodist Library)

8/24/2004


Overview of Records

Record Creator: Huntingdon, Selina Hastings, Countess of, 1707-1791
Title: Countess of Huntingdon Papers
Dates: 1731- 1826
Abstract: Selina Hastings Huntingdon, the Countess of Huntingdon (1707-1791), was a leader among the Calvinistic Methodists, and a prominent figure in the evangelical revival in England during the 18th century. In 1728, she married Theophilus Hastings, the 9th Earl of Huntingdon. The Countess was a member of the Fetter Lane Society and an active supporter of John Wesley. In 1768 she became associated with George Whitefield and supported his efforts, particularly the construction of a college in the colonies, until his death in 1770. She died in 1791. The Countess of Huntingdon Papers contains a collection of 226 documents.
Extent: 0.9 cubic feet
Resource ID: drew.ms.1522



Biographical Note

Selina Hastings Huntingdon, the Countess of Huntingdon (1707-1791), was a leader among the Calvinistic Methodists,and a prominent figure in the evangelical revival in England during the 18th century. In 1728 she married Theophilus Hastings, the ninth Earl of Huntingdon. They had seven children.

The Countess was a member of the Fetter Lane Society and an active supporter of John Wesley. She was also interested in the work of itinerant ministers and supported mission activities in the New World as well as in England. After the death of her husband in 1746, she devoted herself to revival work, opened a home for evangelistic services in London, and was instrumental in the construction of several chapels. In 1768 she became associated with George Whitefield and supported his efforts, particularly the construction of a college in the colonies, until his death in 1770. In 1768 she founded a college at Trevecka which trained ministers. This institution was moved to Chester in 1792 and to Cambridge in 1904.

Selina Hastings Huntingdon was instrumental in forging new religious roles of women in England. She held prayer meetings for women and encouraged the lay participation of women. A member of the upper class in England, the Countess worked to convert and uplift women, not only in her class, but in poorer classes as well.


Scope Note

The Countess of Huntingdon Papers contains a collection of 226 documents. Much of the correspondence in the first series, Family Correspondence (131 documents), deals mainly with family and spiritual matters. This series contains both incoming and outgoing letters. The bulk of the correspondence centers around Selina's husband and oldest son. There are, however, a number of letters that are from her other children and extended family. The second series, General Correspondence (95 documents), continues correspondence and a few business documents which discuss religion, spirituality, business, legal affairs, friendship and daily mundane occurrences. Included in this series are ten letters to and from the family solicitor, Eardley Wilmot. Wilmot may actually be Sir John Eardley Wilmot who eventually became the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. Six letters are from George Whitefield, Twenty-three letters are from Anna Joanna Grinfield, and twelve letters are from Charles Wesley. The rest of the documents, which are primarily letters, are from several other individuals who corresponded with the Countess.


Arrangement

Materials have been arranged in the following manner.

Series: Family Correspondence
subseries: Hastings, Francis (Son), 10th Earl of Huntingdon, 1729-1789
subseries: Hastings, Theophilus (Husband), 9th Earl of Huntingdon, 1696-1746
subseries: Relatives
Series: General Correspondence

Preferred Citation

When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Countess of Huntingdon Papers, United Methodist Church Archives - GCAH, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.


Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding this collection. Copyright still owned by Drew. Permissions to publish must be directed to Drew.


Restrictions on Use

Detailed use restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the General Commission on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be limited in certain instances. Before using any material for publication from this collection a formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.


Related Material

The Archives of Chestnut College, Cambridge University, contains approximately 3,500 letters written to the Countess of Huntingdon by leading Methodists and others between 1760 and 1791. Her correspondents were from both sides of the Atlantic and included George Washington, John Wesley, Charles Wesley, Henry Laurens, and students and staff at Trevecka College.

Subject Terms

Additonal Creators - Personal
Barlow, Ann
Degge, Mary
Ford, Gilbert
Gallatin, L.
Graves, T.
Grinfield, Anna Joanna
Hartford, C.
Hartley, Thomas
Hastings, Henry
Hastings, Lady Ann
Hastings, Lord
Hastings, Selina.
Heron, Henry
Hicks, John
Hodges, Sarah
Hotham, Melusina
Huntingdon, Lord
Ingham, Margaret
Killmory, Mary
Knight, Joel
Lindsey, Theophilus
Mundy, A.
Rawdon, Elizabeth Hastings
Sellon, William
Skrine, Catherine
Stonehouse, George
Wesley, Charles, 1707-1788
Wheler, Catherine Maria
Wilmot, Eardley
Robe, James
Whitefield, George
Subject Names - Personal
Hastings, Theophilus, Earl of Huntingdon (1696-1745).
Hastings, Francis, Earl of Huntingdon (1729-1789)
Subject Names - Corporate
Wesleyan Methodist Church
Subject Topics
Calvinistic Methodists
Methodism History 18th century.
Women
Subject Geographic
England
Genre
Correspondence
Receipts


Container List


Series: Family Correspondence
Sub-series: Hastings, Francis (Son), 10th Earl of Huntingdon, 1729-1789
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2132-3-1: 65 Outgoing: December 5, 1739 1739
2132-3-1: 66 Outgoing: July 5, 1740 1740
2132-3-1: 67 Outgoing: July 28, 1740 1740
2132-3-1: 68 Outgoing: December 4, 1740 1740
2132-3-1: 69 Outgoing: March 1, 1741 1741
2132-3-1: 70 Outgoing: March 24, 1741 1741
2132-3-1: 71 Outgoing: June 23, 1741 1741
2132-3-1: 72 Outgoing: November 11, 1741 1741
2132-3-1: 73 Outgoing: December, 1741 1741
2132-3-1: 74 Outgoing: April 26, 1742 1742
2132-3-1: 75 Outgoing: July 5, 1742 1742
2132-3-1: 76 Incoming: May 1, 1755 1755
2132-3-1: 77 Outgoing: July 21, 1755 1755
2132-3-1: 78 Outgoing: June 26, 1756 1756
2132-3-1: 79 Outgoing: June 29, 1756 1756
2132-3-1: 80 Outgoing: September 14, 1756 1756
2132-3-1: 81 Outgoing: November 13, 1756 1756
2132-3-1: 82 Outgoing: June 2, 1757 1757
2132-3-1: 83 Outgoing: June 4, 1757 1757
2132-3-1: 84 Outgoing: October 23, 1768 1768
2132-3-1: 85 Outgoing: January 5, 1769 1769
2132-3-1: 86 Outgoing: Saturday 29, 1769 1769
2132-3-1: 87 Outgoing: May 21, 1770 1770
2132-3-1: 88 Outgoing: September 10, 1775 1775
2132-3-1: 89 Outgoing: September 28, 1775 1775
2132-3-1: 90 Outgoing: October 5, 1775 1775
2132-3-1: 91 Outgoing: June 11, 1776 1776
2132-3-1: 92 Outgoing: February 19, 1789 1789
2132-3-1: 93 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 94 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 95 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 96 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 97 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 98 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 99 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 100 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 101 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 102 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 103 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 104 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 105 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 106 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 107 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 108 Incoming: From Hastings, George (Brother) to Hastings. Francis, December 24 Undated
Sub-series: Hastings, Theophilus (Husband), 9th Earl of Huntingdon, 1696-1746
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2132-3-1: 1 Outgoing: February 14, 1731 1731
2132-3-1: 2 Outgoing: February 16, 1731 1731
2132-3-1: 3 Outgoing: February 19, 1731 1731
2132-3-1: 4 Outgoing: February 23, 1731 1731
2132-3-1: 5 Outgoing: February 25, 1731 1731
2132-3-1: 6 Outgoing: February 28, 1731 1731
2132-3-1: 7 Outgoing: March 8, 1731 1731
2132-3-1: 8 Outgoing: March 15, 1731 1731
2132-3-1: 9 Outgoing: March 18, 1731 1731
2132-3-1: 10 Outgoing: March 22, 1731 1731
2132-3-1: 11 Outgoing: March 30, 1731 1731
2132-3-1: 12 Outgoing: March 27, 1732 1732
2132-3-1: 13 Outgoing: April 4, 1732 1732
2132-3-1: 14 Outgoing: April 5, 1732 1732
2132-3-1: 15 Outgoing: April 8, 1732 1732
2132-3-1: 16 Outgoing: April 10, 1732 1732
2132-3-1: 17 Outgoing: April 12, 1732 1732
2132-3-1: 18 Outgoing: April 17, 1732 1732
2132-3-1: 19 Outgoing: April? 29, 1732 1732
2132-3-1: 20 Outgoing: August? 29, 1734 1734
2132-3-1: 21 Outgoing: September 6, 1734 1734
2132-3-1: 22 Outgoing: March 3, 1739 1739
2132-3-1: 23 Outgoing: April 28, 1740 1740
2132-3-1: 24 Outgoing: May 5, 1740 1740
2132-3-1: 25 Outgoing: May 7, 1740 1740
2132-3-1: 26 Outgoing: May 12, 1740 1740
2132-3-1: 27 Outgoing: May 14, 1740 1740
2132-3-1: 28 Outgoing: May 19, 1740 1740
2132-3-1: 29 Outgoing: May 24, 1740 1740
2132-3-1: 30 Outgoing: May 25, 1740 1740
2132-3-1: 31 Outgoing: January 9, 1741 1741
2132-3-1: 32 Outgoing: [January] 14, 1741 1741
2132-3-1: 33 Outgoing: February 7, 1741 1741
2132-3-1: 34 Outgoing: December 22, 1741 1741
2132-3-1: 35 Outgoing: [December] 24, 1741 1741
2132-3-1: 36 Outgoing: December 26, 1741 1741
2132-3-1: 37 Outgoing: December 31, 1741 1741
2132-3-1: 38 Outgoing: [January 1, 1742] 1742
2132-3-1: 39 Outgoing: January 2, 174[2] 1742
2132-3-1: 40 Outgoing: March 24, 1742 1742
2132-3-1: 41 Outgoing: May 8, 1743 1743
2132-3-1: 42 Outgoing: May 19, 1744 1744
2132-3-1: 43 Outgoing: December 8, 1744 1744
2132-3-1: 44 Outgoing: August 19, 1745 1745
2132-3-1: 45 Outgoing: August 9, 1746 1746
2132-3-1: 46 Outgoing: August 12, 1746 1746
2132-3-1: 47 Outgoing: October 4, 1746 1746
2132-3-1: 48 Outgoing: October 6, 1746 1746
2132-3-1: 49 Outgoing: October 8, 1746 1746
2132-3-1: 50 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 51 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 52 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 53 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 54 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 55 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 56 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 57 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 58 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 59 Outgoing: (Fragment) Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 60 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 61 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 62 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 63 Outgoing: Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 64 Outgoing: Undated Undated
Sub-series: Relatives
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2132-3-1: 109 Incoming: Hastings, Ann (Sister-in-law), May 6, 1755 1755
2132-3-1: 110 Incoming: Hastings, Ann (Sister-in-law), June 3, 1755 1755
2132-3-1: 111 Incoming: Hastings, Ann (Sister-in-law), Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 112 Incoming: Hastings, Ann (Sister-in-law), Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 113 Incoming: Hastings, Henry (Son), Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 114 Incoming: Hastings, Henry (Son), Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 115 Incoming: Hastings, Henry (Son), Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 116 Incoming: Hastings, Henry (Son), Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 117 Incoming: Hastings, Henry (Son), Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 118 Incoming: Hastings, Henry (Son), Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 119 Incoming: Hastings, Selina (Daughter), Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 120 Incoming: Hastings, Selina (Daughter), July 8 Undated
2132-3-1: 121 Incoming: Ingham, Margaret (Sister-in-law), July 12, 1755 1755
2132-3-1: 122 Incoming: Ingham, Margaret (Sister-in-law), July 26 Undated
2132-3-1: 123 Incoming: Killmory, Mary (Sister), July 2, 1755 1755
2132-3-1: 124 Incoming: Rawdon, Elizabeth Hastings (Daughter), August 2, 1755 1755
2132-3-1: 125 Incoming: Rawdon, Elizabeth Hastings (Daughter), Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 126 Incoming: Rawdon, Elizabeth Hastings (Daughter), Undated Undated
2132-3-1: 127 Incoming: Wheler, Catherine Maria (Niece), June 19, 1755 1755
2132-3-1: 128 Incoming: Wheler, Catherine Maria (Niece) and Ford, Gilbert, June 21, 1755 1755
2132-3-1: 129 Incoming: Wheler, Catherine Maria (Niece), June 29, 1755 1755
2132-3-1: 130 Incoming: Wheler, Catherine Maria (Niece), July 29, 1755 1755
2132-3-1: 131 Incoming: Wheler, Catherine Maria (Niece), July 15 Undated

Series: General Correspondence
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2132-3-2: 1 Outgoing: Adams, Mrs., July 6, 1779 1779
2132-3-2: 2 Outgoing: Anonymous (Fragment), Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 3 Incoming: Anonymous (Fragment), Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 4 Incoming: Anonymous List(Fragment), Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 5 Incoming: Barlow, Ann, May 24, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 6 Incoming: Barlow, Ann, July 3, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 7 Incoming: Barlow, Ann, June 18 Undated
2132-3-2: 8 Outgoing: Carpenter, Mr., August 27, 1785 1785
2132-3-2: 9 Incoming: Degge, Mary, July 16, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 10 Incoming: Dickerson, Mr., Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 11 Incoming: Flemings, Mr., June 28, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 12 Incoming: Flemings, Mr., Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 13 Incoming: Ford, Gilbert, July 3, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 14 Incoming: Ford, Gilbert, July 6, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 15 Incoming: Ford, Gilbert, July 24, [1755?] Undated
2132-3-2: 16 Incoming: Gallatin, L., May 5, 1752 1752
2132-3-2: 17 Incoming: Graves, T., June 3, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 18 Outgoing: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, June 21, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 19 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 20 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 21 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 22 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 23 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 24 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, January 12 Undated
2132-3-2: 25 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, January 2 Undated
2132-3-2: 26 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, July 3 Undated
2132-3-2: 27 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, July 21 Undated
2132-3-2: 28 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 29 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 30 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 31 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, August 16 Undated
2132-3-2: 32 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 33 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 34 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 35 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, Tuesday 22 Undated
2132-3-2: 36 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, [Fragment] Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 37 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 38 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 39 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, [Fragment] Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 40 Incoming: Grinfield, Anna Joanna, [Fragment] Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 41 Incoming: Hartford, C., February 5, 1748 1748
2132-3-2: 42 Incoming: Hartley, Thomas, May 20, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 43 Incoming: Hartley, Thomas, May 24, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 44 Incoming: Hartley, Thomas, July 10, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 45 Incoming: Heron, Henry, July 22, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 46 Outgoing: Hicks, John, [Receipt] March 13, 1765 1765
2132-3-2: 47 Incoming: Hodges, Sarah, December 8, 1753 1753
2132-3-2: 48 Incoming: Hotham, Melusina, June 2, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 49 Incoming: Knight, Joel, [Fascimile] March 14, 1788 1788
2132-3-2: 50 Incoming: Lindsey, Theophilus, July 14, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 51 Incoming: Lindsey, Theophilus, July 26, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 52 Incoming: Lindsey, Theophilus, July 28, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 53 Incoming: Lindsey, Theophilus, August 15, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 54 Incoming: Lindsey, Theophilus, [Fragment] Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 55 Incoming: To Mammatt, Edward from Manners, Robert, June 10, 1826 1826
2132-3-2: 56 Incoming: Mundy, A. Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 57 Incoming: Reader, Reverend, June 18, 1781 1781
2132-3-2: 58 Incoming: Robe, James, October 18, 1748 1748
2132-3-2: 59 Outgoing: Sellon, William, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 60 Incoming: Skrine, Catherine, May 15, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 61 Incoming: Skrine, Catherine, July 15, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 62 Incoming: Skrine, Catherine, August 11, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 63 Outgoing: Stidins, Sherr? Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 64 Incoming: Stonehouse, George, June 28, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 65 Incoming: Wesley, Charles, May 22, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 66 Incoming: Wesley, Charles, May 30, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 67 Incoming: Wesley, Charles, June 9, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 68 Incoming: Wesley, Charles, June 25, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 69 Incoming: Wesley, Charles, July 26, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 70 Incoming: Wesley, Charles, January 28, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 71 Incoming: Wesley, Charles, April 23, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 72 Incoming: Wesley, Charles, May 26, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 73 Incoming: Wesley, Charles, June 11, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 74 Incoming: Wesley, Charles, June 28, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 75 Incoming: Wesley, Charles, July 12, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 76 Incoming: Wesley, Charles, July 28, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 77 Incoming: Whitefield, George, May 27, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 78 Incoming: Whitefield, George, June 26, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 79 Incoming: Whitefield, George, July 11, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 80 Incoming: Whitefield, George, August 16, 1755 1755
2132-3-2: 81 Incoming: Whitefield, George, May 10, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 82 Incoming: Whitefield, George, May 14?, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 83 Incoming: Hotham, Lady Gertrude, May 24, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 84 Incoming: Hotham, Lady Gertrude, July 6, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 85 Incoming: Hotham, Lady Gertrude, July 19, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 86 Outgoing: Wilmot, Eardley, October 18, 1748 1748
2132-3-2: 87 Outgoing: Wilmot, Eardley, [February?] 17, 1750 1750
2132-3-2: 88 Outgoing: Wilmot, Eardley, June 10, 1750 1750
2132-3-2: 89 Outgoing: Wilmot, Eardley, November 30, 1750 1750
2132-3-2: 90 Outgoing: Wilmot, Eardley, October 12, 1750 1750
2132-3-2: 91 Outgoing: Wilmot, Eardley, January 1, 1751 1751
2132-3-2: 92 Incoming: Wilmot, Eardley, June 2, 1753 1753
2132-3-2: 93 Outgoing: Wilmot, Eardley, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 94 Outgoing: Wilmot, Eardley, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 95 Outgoing: Wilmot, Eardley, Undated Undated
2132-3-2: 96 Original Guide to Correspondence Undated