UK Parliamentary Archives

• Held At: Parliamentary Archives: GB-061
• Catalogue Reference: CHA
• Former Archival Reference: Historical Collection 235
• Ref No: CHA
• Date: 1824-1925
• Level: Fonds
• Extent: 18 files
• Creator Name: Charlton; Edmund Lechmere (1789-[1840s])
• Administrative or Biographical History: In the mid-1830s the new Borough Council of Ludlow, in Herefordshire, wanted control of the trusteeship of the Ludlow Charities, still in the hands of former councillors. They affirmed that the estates from which the charities derived their income had been bequeathed for the good of the Borough; which meant that the money should not be used solely for the charities. Trouble ensued over certain Borough documents which the new Council stated were being refused them. The old Council then appealed to Edmund Lechmere Charlton (MP Ludlow 1835-1837) to act as their counsel in the matter. The new Council petitioned the House of Commons upon the matter of the refusal; Edmund Lechmere Charlton denied this and petitioned for an enquiry (Commons Journal, XCII, p.40). In due course the matter came before the Court of Chancery. At the first hearing there was not time to hear Edmund Charlton's case, but on being asked if a warrant for a second hearing would be issued the Court Master, William Brougham, replied 'yes certainly'. Moreover when Robert Baines, the solicitor representing certain members of the old Council, went to collect this new warrant he was told the case was settled, and was shown the papers in the case, together with a paper listing the new town Council as trustees and endorsed "W.B. settled". Having apprised Edmund Charlton of this, the latter wrote to William Brougham a letter "containing matter scandalous with respect to the said Master and an attempt improperly to influence his conduct in the matter before him". This led the Lord Chancellor to call Edmund Charlton to appear before the Court of Chancery to explain this 'contempt of Court'. Instead Edmund Charlton went "into hiding". Finally a warrant was issued for his commitment to Fleet prison. This was eventually served after some difficulty. (By this time the Borough documents had already been handed over). Edmund Charlton then petitioned the Commons that he should be released from prison by reason of the Privilege of Parliament A Select Committee was appointed to consider and hear evidence, but they concluded that his claim should not be admitted. His discharge was finally authorised on 24 February 1837 after he had been in prison for three weeks, following a petition to the Lord Chancellor.
• Acquisition: Deposited by the British Records Association, 19 January 1977. BRA deposit number 1384. Parliamentary Archives Accession Number 1663.
• Category: Personal/Political Papers
• Description: Papers relating to Edmund Lechmere Charlton and the Ludlow Charities Case.
• Language: English
• System of Arrangement: The collection is contained in one box. The files are individually numbered in pencil.
• Related Material: The Lechmere family papers are held at Worcestershire Record Office. Other papers relating to Ludlow charities can be found at Shropshire Records and Research Centre.
• Access Status: Open

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