Description: Lady Sophia Catherine Coventry, daughter of George William Coventry, 7th Earl of Coventry and Peggy Pitches. Married Sir Roger Gresley, son of the 7th Baronet on 2 June 1821. They had no surviving children and the baronetcy passed to a kinsman Sir William Gresley.
The Gresley family of Drakelow can trace its origins back to the 12th century when William, son of Nigel of Gresley, appears in a deed of 1129. Drakelow Hall, the family seat, was built in the 16th century for Sir Thomas Gresley - the former residence was probably marked by a moat east of Warren Farm. Sir Thomas's son, George, was one of the first baronets (created 1611).
The Manor of Seale had been purchased from the Gresley family by Gilbert Moorwood in the 17th century, but was restored to the Gresleys by the marriage of Gilbert's daughter to Sir Thomas Gresley.The family seat of the Gresleys was Drakelow Hall in south Derbyshire. (Taken from http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=026-d803&cid=-1#-1)
This image is one of a collection by the famous local antiquarian, Thomas Bateman, of Middleton by Youlgreave. (1821-1861). Bateman organized his collection by inserting them into a 4 volume copy of Lysons Magna Britannia, Derbyshire, creating a fascinating and unique illustrated record of the county. The purchase of the collection for Derbyshire Libraries was made possible by the generous bequest of Miss Frances Webb of Whaley Bridge, well known local historian, who died in December 2006.