The Huntingdon Peerage Chapter IX Ferdinando Sixth Earl of Huntingdon. [his father] FERDINANDO, sixth Earl of Huntingdon, heir and successor of [his grandfather] Henry the fifth Earl (age 21), was born at Ashby [Map], January 11th, 1608. In March, 1627, he was returned to serve in Parliament for the county of Leicester, and two years after was joined with his father in the Lieutenancy of the counties of Leicester and Rutland. By indenture, dated May, 1638, he and his brother [his uncle] Henry, in consideration of the sum of 4,50l. granted, to John Earl of Bridgewater (age 29) and Thomas Davies, a moiety of the rectory of Mould, otherwise Mouldesdale, in Flintshire. On the 13th of November, 1641, his father being then still living, he had summons to Parliament amongst the barons of the realm; and in 1643 he succeeded to the family honours. He married [his mother] Lucy, daughter and sole heir to [his grandfather] Sir John Davys (age 38), of Englefield, Berks, Knt. (Premier Serjeant at Law to James the First, and Charles the First, as also Solicitor, and afterwards Attorney General in Ireland, and finally Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench,) by his wife [his grandmother] Lady Eleanor (age 18), youngest daughter of George Lord Audley, Earl of Castlehaven (age 57), and, settling at Donnington Park, had by her four sons; Henry, John, Ferdinando, and Theophilus, born after the decease of his three brothers; and likewise six daughters, Alice, Eleanor, both of whom died young; Elizabeth, married to Sir James Laughan, of Cottesbroke, in Nottinghamshire, Bart, being his second wife, and dying without issue; Lucy, who died unmarried; Mary, espoused to Sir William Joliffe, of Caverswell Castle in Staffordshire, Knt.; and lastly Christiana.

Evelyn's Diary. 24 Jun 1670. Came the Earl (age 19) of Huntington and Countess (age 16), with the Lord Sherard (age 48), to visit us.

Evelyn's Diary. 19 Aug 1671. I dined at the Hamburg Resident's, and, after dinner, went to the christening of Sir Samuel Tuke's (age 56) son, Charles, at Somerset House, by a Popish priest, and many odd ceremonies. The godfathers were the King (age 41), and Lord Arundel of Wardour (age 63), and godmother, the [his mother] Countess of Huntingdon (age 58). [Note. This must refer to the Dowager Countess of Huntingdon wife of [his father] Ferdinando Hastings 6th Earl Huntingdon since his successor Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon (age 20) didn't marry until 1672.].

On 11 Aug 1694 Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon (age 43) wrote to Laurence Cromp of the Herald's Office "I have been this summer, att a considerable charge, to repair and Beautifie a monument to Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon, in Ashby Church".

On 10 Sep 1698 Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon (age 47) wrote to Laurence Cromp of the Herald's Office about his own monument. In the letter he says: "I have now made a perfect agreement, with Mr Gibbons (age 50) the Carver, in Bow Street for the monument which if made according to the modell, I shall like very well; I therefore desire you, to doe me the kindness to Call on him to see in what forwardnesse it is in, and what your judgement is of itt; particularly as to the armes ....". The Earl then talks about the Hastings Crest Bull's Head. The Earl's own monument does not include a Bull's Head so the letter does not appear to be about this. The wall monument does have a Bull's Head as part of the Hastings coat of arms so it could be this monument which the letter is about. However, the wall monument is similar in style to the chest tomb and so would appear to be of the same date. This would leave unresolved the question of why the Earl wrote at such length about the design of the Bull's Head. It also raises the issue of why there are two monuments to the 2nd Earl considering that the family were heavily in debt at the time. (Richard Parker was paid £20, equivalent to £16,600 today, for a similar chest tomb for the 1st Earl of Rutland). Source Church Monuments Society.

On 05 Oct 1698. Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon (age 47) wrote to Grinling Gibbons (age 50): "I desire you to forbear the carving of the arms till you have finished the rest of the monument, and to not go about them till you first aquaint me".

On 31 Jul 1699. Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon (age 48) wrote to Laurence Cromp of the Herald's Office: "I have returned this weeke by the derby Carrier, who will be Saturday at the castle in Smithfield, the box you sent down with the Epitaph, which I desire you to send to Mr. Gibbons, the carver in Bow Street; and overlooke the Cutting of the Letters and Cotes of Armes. I caused the Alterations to bee made in the places, wherr there was mistakes, which arr only Litterall, and are - this amended .... [list of corrections]. You may lett Me Gibbons see this letter is you thinke it necessary.

After 30 May 1701. Hasting's Chapel St Helen's Church Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire [Map]. Monument to Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon (deceased) sculpted by Grinling Gibbons (age 53).

The Huntingdon Peerage Chapter IX Ferdinando Sixth Earl of Huntingdon. Not long after the death of this so much lamented yomig nobleman his afflicted parents were blest by Providence with another son, Theophilus, who inherited the title, and was seventh Earl.