1


                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the 
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-      ) of Litchfield Financial 
Corporation for the registration of Trust Preferred Securities, and to the 
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January 30, 1999, with 
respect to the consolidated financial statements of Litchfield Financial 
Corporation incorporated by reference in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the 
year ended December 31, 1998, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.




                                       /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
April 12, 1999