Grab a cup of tea as I stream live digging through the archives located here at our Manor House of the 9th Countess of Sandwich, Albert Sturges, an American like me who came over during The Gilded Age. Lucky for me, Alberta SAVED everything! Each time I research a new box of her letters, diaries and photos, I will stream live as I write my 25,000 word dissertation.
In the process of my research, I am raising funds ( please refer to my specific goal here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/juliejmontagu ) to restore the muniment (archive) room at our Historic House, Mapperton (www.mapperton.com), purchase digitising solutions, fireproof storage and supplies for rehousing archives and if I’m successful in achieving these goals, allow my research and her letters to made public.
I am currently researching for my Masters dissertation whereby the topic is Alberta Sturges, 9th Countess of Sandwich, who was an American just like me, from Chicago just like me, had 4 children just like me AND and this is the BIG ONE – was a devoted yogi, just like me! That fact in itself was extraordinary during this period as most wives of nobility were interested in social gatherings, Alberta was not. The question now remains, did she REALLY want to marry or did she have her sights set on becoming a nun!
However, Alberta did marry George Montagu (later 9th Earl of Sandwich) on 25th July 1905 during the ‘Gilded Age’. But why? Why didn’t she follow her dreams of life of service to others?
I want to dig deeper and find out why.
Alberta was an American Heiress who was born into a wealthy family, the Sturges family. Her grandfather Solomon Sturges had the foresight and follow-through to build what at the time was the world’s largest grain elevators (Towers A and B) and to parlay money made from this into banking, railroads, and other industries, creating vast fortunes in the process.
Alberta died in 1951 but throughout her life, she archived every letter she received and also asked for letters that she wrote to various family members to be returned to her after they died, in particular, her mother Betty MacLeod, here aunt Josephine MacLeod and her brother Hollister Sturges. She has left me a wonderful gift (and puzzle) with many of the pieces waiting to be put back together.
In the process of my research, I am raising funds ( please refer to my specific goal here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/juliejmontagu ) to restore the muniment (archive) room at our Historic House, Mapperton (www.mapperton.com), purchase digitising solutions, fireproof storage and supplies for rehousing archives and if I’m successful in achieving these goals, allow my research and her letters to made public.
For 1 cup of coffee, you will receive an email THANK YOU from me.
For 3-5 cups of coffee ($15 – $25), you will receive an email THANK YOU from me and a digital ‘I HELPED MAKE IT HAPPEN’ certificate once we reach the ALL the Goals.
For 10 cups of coffee ($50), you will receive an email THANK YOU from me, a digital ‘I HELPED MAKE IT HAPPEN’ certificate once we reach ALL the goals, and a digital copy sent via email of Alberta’s letter referencing her visit to Mapperton in 1905.
For 20 cups of coffee ($100), you will receive an email THANK YOU from me, a digital ‘I HELPED MAKE IT HAPPEN’ certificate once we reach ALL the goals, a digital copy sent via email of Alberta’s letter referencing her visit to Mapperton in 1905 and an American Viscountess notebook and pen sent via Royal Mail.
For 50 or more cups of coffee ($250 and above) you will receive an email THANK YOU from me, a digital ‘I HELPED MAKE IT HAPPEN’ certificate once we reach ALL the goals, a digital copy sent via email of Alberta’s letter referencing her visit to Mapperton in 1905, an American Viscountess notebook and pen sent via Royal Mail and YOUR NAME will be inscribed on a THANK YOU plaque hung in the Muniment Room at Mapperton once the restoration is complete and all digitising solutions, storage and supplies are purchased.
For more information about Alberta and a tour of our archive/muniment room – watch this video: https://youtu.be/z74LoE7MlnM
32 Comments
Happy New Year everyone.
My mother went to dances at the New Ocean hotel when she was a teenager in the early '50s. She lived not far from Swampscott, MA and she said it was quite the place!. Sadly, it burned down in the late '60s.
Cheers from North Carolina
Is your in-law family related to the late Prince William (passed away in a plan crash) whom mother was a Montague?
I think how exciting to dive into history of the family of you husbands .Let's read it .
It's marvellous that all the papers and letters are kept. That someone had the sense of history and family bond that come out from those papers. Alberta looks to be a beautiful lady with much to reveal. Being her follower in history I believe is a great responsibility. As it is, in my opinion, a great responsibility to preserve not only the history but the historical house and land. Go for it.
Sounds like you need a secretary/typist to carry on Alberta’s transcribing job following her death.
In the future, if it ever becomes a book, I would purchase a book with her letters/pictures and such. Fascinating!
Just fascinating. Listening to you is history coming to life.
Just brilliant! Looking forward to the next 💜💜
This video spun me. Sw. Vivekananda's Bhakti Sutras was my first yoga scripture in 1970. I fell in love with yoga practice after this book. Alberta's interest is fascinating! She is ahead of her time. I cant wait to hear more. How courageous Alberta was and what an inspiration you are. Keep up the great work. Much love and blessings for your continued success.
What a lovely episode. One thing that I am interested in, if you are willing to share is how your immediate American family has adjusted to your new life in England. I’m certain that was a transition for everyone. If this information is too private and or personal. I completely understand. I’ve just thought about it over the years of watching your channel. I only moved from Missouri to NYC and it still is an adjustment for my family. With kindness. Deborah
We were touched by a Chicago-born heiress who became a Countess. She live in England but wintered in the U.S. under the conditions of her father’s will. My father was caretaker of her winter estate near Tucson, Arizona, following his service in WW2. It was a fascinating era for these ladies.
Why did they sell Hinchingbrook?
Just discovered this today. Great Project and look forward to further episodes.
I cannot wait for the book 📖 on Alberta ❤
Julie definatly knows how to multi task. I need her fast metabolism. Julie will be doing yoga splits in the air when she is 70 years old. I want to master yoga splits
Julie and her hubby are perfectly made for each other
Watching from Florida
It's like reading Pride and Prejudice for the first time. The language is tuff but you get used to it. Thanks for this.
Julie you must know you are the reason that your mother and father in law are going to live a very long life. You married into the fam and have taken a load off their shoulders along with your spouse. They can enjoy the most beautiful castle in the region. Best daughter in law ever. You do everything with such enthusiasm and in turn make everybody around you happy as well. Of coarse you include them in your work. They now reap the rewards of all their many years of hard work. And they continue to teach you. They can sit back and watch all the goings on. You were born for this. Everything you touch turns to gold. You and your spouse have brought the manor into the 21st century. I can hear your in laws now saying what is she up to now swimming in our pool of alge
Blue Bell owes your fam millions for creating chocolate ice cream
Why are you so surprised about the Coronation invite. Your family is in the inner circle. I'm positive they wud rub elbows all the time
All women sacrafice the very most. You are right to center your paper around Alberta's sacrifice
The research for your dissertation is very interesting. My ears perked up when you mentioned Swampscott, Mass. and the New Ocean House. My grandparents lived in Swampscott on the North shore of Boston and spoke to me about it. The New Ocean House was once a very posh hotel and resort with a private beach. Many famous people stayed there FDR and Winston Churchill. Sadly it burned down in 1969. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_Ocean_House
Alberta loved Mapperton. 🧡
What happened to the hunting lodge? Question re the Stugeous wealth. Did her mother inherit it from Alberta's father? Just wondering how Alberta had weath to be a dollar princess. Fascinating history. Thank you for sharing
Lady Catherine Seymour was born Catherine Parr in 1512, she was the sixth and last wife of Henry VIII. After Henry died in 1547 Catherine married Lord Thomas Seymour of Sudeley.
Julie, do you think there would ever be an opportunity to buy back Henchingbrook?
Oh how wonderful I think it would be. As I watched you and the Earl walk the floors, how attentive you were as he spoke of his early childhood. I could almost see you creating the pictures in your mind's eye, as the Earl reminisced, described each item, decoration furniture, how the rooms were used. for me, many memories can best be described through smell and touch.
1778: Captain James Cook lands at Waimea Bay on the island of Kauaʻi, becoming the first European to make contact with the Hawaiian Islands. Cook names the archipelago the “Sandwich Islands” after the Earl of Sandwich
… perhaps someone could enlighten me, as to how the archives have letters that have been written to someone else …. were copies of letters sent to others, kept by the sender, as a form of dairy record?
Thank you!
My great grandmother was also a Sturgis. She was born in the late 1800's in Ont., Canada