House of Acheson

The founder of this noble family in Ulster,

ARCHIBALD ACHESON (1583-1634), descended from a good family in Scotland, was seated at Gosford, Haddingtonshire, previous to his settlement in the Province, where we find him in 1610.

In the following year he had passed patent for a large proportion of land in County Armagh, and at the same time his younger brother,

HENRY ACHESON, passed patent for a smaller proportion in the said county, which lands he afterwards assigned to Sir Archibald.

He returned to Scotland and there died unmarried.

Sir Archibald was "so steady and zealous a friend" of the protestant interest in Ulster that seven years after he obtained this grant (according to the survey made by Nicholas Pynnar) he had 203 men upon his estate capable of bearing arms.

In 1612, he obtained another grant from JAMES I of a small proportion of land in County Cavan containing 1,000 acres.

Mr Acheson was created a baronet in 1628, designated of Market Hill, County Armagh.

In 1630, he obtained, in conjunction with Piers and Walter Crosbie, a territory in Nova Scotia, Canada, named Bonovia [sic].

Sir Archibald was Solicitor-General, Senator of Justice, and many years Secretary of State for Scotland; which latter office he continued to fill until his decease in 1634.

He died at Letterkenny, County Donegal, at his nephew's house, Sir William Semple, Knight.

Sir Archibald was succeeded in the title and estates by his eldest son,

SIR PATRICK, 2nd Baronet (1609-38), at whose decease without issue, the title devolved upon his half-brother,

SIR GEORGE, 3rd Baronet (1629-85), who was succeeded by his only son,

SIR NICHOLAS, 4th Baronet (c1655-1701), MP for County Armagh, 1695, who was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ARTHUR, 5th Baronet (1688-1749), who wedded Anne, daughter of the Rt Hon Philip Savage, Chancellor of the Exchequer in Ireland, by whom he had issue, five sons and two daughters.

Sir Arthur was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR ARCHIBALD, 6th Baronet (1718-90), who was elevated to the peerage, in 1776, in the dignity of Baron Gosford, of Market Hill, County Armagh; and advanced to a viscountcy, 1785, as Viscount Gosford.

His lordship married, in 1740, Mary, youngest daughter of John Richardson, of Rich Hill, County Armagh, and had issue,

ARTHUR, his successor;
Anna Maria; Nicolas; Julia Henrietta; Lucinda; Mary.

Sir Archibald was succeeded by his eldest son,

ARTHUR, 2nd Viscount (c1742-1807); who was created, in 1806, EARL OF GOSFORD.

His lordship espoused, in 1774, Millicent, daughter of Lieutenant-General Edward Pole, and had issue,

ARCHIBALD, his successor;
Edward, CB, Lieutenant-Colonel in the army;
Olivia, m Brigadier R B Sparrow, of Brampton Park;
Mary, m Lieutenant-General Lord William Bentinck, GCB;
Millicent, m Rev J H Barber MA.

He was succeeded by his only son,

ARCHIBALD, 2nd Earl (1776-1849), GCB, PC.

• Archibald Acheson, 3rd Earl (1806-64)
• Archibald Acheson, 4th Earl (1841–1922)
• Archibald Charles Montagu Brabazon Acheson, 5th Earl (1877–1954)
• Archibald Alexander John Stanley Acheson, 6th Earl (1911-66)
• Charles David Alexander John Sparrow Acheson, 7th Earl (b 1942).

The heir presumptive is the present holder's first cousin Nicholas Hope Carter Acheson (b 1947).

He is the eldest son of the Hon Patrick Bernard Victor Montagu Acheson (1915–2005), second son of the 5th Earl.

GOSFORD FOREST PARK, near Markethill, County Armagh, is one of the most beautiful demesnes in Northern Ireland.

There are woodland and forest walks; the walled garden; and a caravan and camping site within the park.

Gosford Castle is said to be the largest private mansion house in Northern Ireland.

The estate was sold to the NI Government shortly after the 2nd world war. 

The castle was restored between 2006-8 and has been divided into a number of apartments.

The Gosford Papers are deposited at PRONI.

First published in January, 2012.