CHURCHILL, Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (1660-1744). Wife of the Duke fo Marlborugh and Favourite of Queen Anne.
Document Signed ("S Marlborough"), acknowledging receipt of ten thousand pounds in repayment of the loan made to the government "for the Service of the Year 1742". Countersigned by her son-in-law Lord Godolphin and Lord Sundon.
The document has been cut down to c. 6 1/2 x 5 3/4 in., with loss of text on both sides. Annotated 1743.
The loan in question would have been similar to modern government bonds, and repayable after a set time with interest. The government of the time may well have been raising money to help support Austria in its defence against Prussia and France.
Sarah Churchill, nearing the end of her life, had by this time seen her political influence dwindle. Her wealth, however, had only accrued, and she left an immense fortune at her death. Her estates alone were valued at £4,000,000, which would be worth about £300,000,000 in modern terms.
The document has been severely cut down, but the general content is clear and the signatures on the verso are good.
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