96 MINTERNE. 



In 1784 Admiral Digby married Eleanor, widow of William 

 Jauncey, Esq., eldest daughter of the Hon. W. Elliott, the 

 Governor of Xew York. This Admiral Robert Digby died at 

 Minterne in 1814. He was at that time Senior Admiral in the 

 navy, which he entered in 1744. 



He was succeeded at Minterne by his nephew, Admiral Sir 

 Henry Digby, son of the Dean of Durham, father of the present 

 Lord Digby by Jane Elizabeth, daughter of the Earl of Leicester 

 and widow of Viscount Andover. Sir Henry was born in 1770 

 and died in 1842. A brass to his memory in Minterne Church 

 records that he commanded H.M.S. "Africa" in the Rattle of 

 Trafalgar, that by his gallantry and daring he obtained the marked 

 approbation of Lord Nelson and the thanks of Parliament. 



Minterne has found its Way into the pages of a modern popular 

 novel. I think our Dorset Field Club owes a thistle to Mr. 

 Shorthouse, the author of " John Inglesant," for having desecrated 

 this beautiful spot with a murder two centuries back. 



I have to thank the Hon. Miss Digby for the loan of a MSS. 

 book kept at Minterne House, from which I have gathered the 

 greater part of the information supplied to you to-day about 

 Minterne and its connection with the Churchills and Digbys. 



In the book I trace the handwriting of the late Lady Digby. 

 Those who had the privilege of her acquaintance must look back 

 upon it as one of the treasures of life. Her sweet spirit still 

 lingers around Minterne, particularly in the picturesque cottages 

 she was so fond of visiting in the days of her health, and in the 

 village Schoolroom, which was, I believe, her design, and which 

 you will pass on the road to Buckland. 



