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                                                                    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 Nos. 333-76258, 333-76258-01 and 333-76258-02)
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 28, 1999