The Graham family of Norton Conyers archive includes the papers of Sir Bellingham Graham, 7th Baronet (1789-1866), plus those of Sir Guy Graham, 9th Baronet (1878-1940) and his wife, Lady Katherine, née Stobart (1887-1966).

The papers of Sir Bellingham comprise letters written to him relating to estate matters and financial affairs. They include one relating to his son, also called Bellingham, who seems to have become embroiled in a potential blackmail scenario by a young lady, whilst engaged to Miss Emily Cottam. What was initially odd about this letter was the fact that Sir Bellingham married a second time, to a Miss Harriet Cottam. In effect, Sir Bellingham introduced his son to the sister of his daughter-in-law. Most confusing!

Sir Guy’s papers mostly relate to the Norton Conyers estate and contain estate vouchers, which are an invoice plus receipt attached together. As well as the usual bills for goods and services, there are agricultural returns, war damage contributions and licences for bearing armorial arms, owning a dog and employing a game keeper and manservant. What is somewhat disconcerting is that the cost of the licence for the manservant is the same as for owning a dog. In later years, this was amended so that you could own two dogs for the cost of employing a manservant.

Lady Katherine’s papers offer a different insight, as they mainly comprise letters received by her four sons: Richard, later 10th Baronet, Alastair, Patrick and Jeremy. The letters from Richard are a fabulous source in understanding the educational process at Eton and Cambridge in the 1930s, including its cost. He seems to have had a most sober time of it, or rather, kept such things hidden from Munty, as Lady Katherine is affectionately known.