1st Baron Broughshane

It is said, according to Alexander Davison's Davisons of Knockboy, that this family came originally from County Durham or Northumberland. John Davison, born ca 1565, came to Ulster at the age of about 25, and settled near Broughshane, County Antrim; and in future spelt their name Davison, without the second "d."

There they lived for many generations, and were the ancestors of several generations of Davidsons, living at Knockboy, Broughshane, including,

1. Alexander Davison, of whom presently;

2. Richard Davison (1796-1869), who left Broughshane to reside at The Abbey, Whiteabbey, County Antrim. He represented Belfast in the UK Parliament with Hugh (subsequently 1st Earl) Cairns from 1852-60. 

The elder brother,

ALEXANDER DAVISON (1799-1874), of Knockboy, married Anne Disney (d 1897), and had issue,

RICHARD DAVISON (1846-1929), of Beechfield, Ballymena, County Antrim (formerly of Knockboy), wedded Annie, youngest daughter of John Patrick JP, of Dunminning, County Antrim, and had issue,

SIR WILLIAM HENRY DAVISON KBE JP DL MP (1872-1953), a barrister, who espoused firstly, in 1898, Beatrice Mary, second daughter of Sir Owen Roberts, of Henley Park, Surrey, and Plas Dinas, Carnarvonshire, and had issue,

PATRICK OWEN ALEXANDER, his successor;

William Kensington, DSO, DFC;

Joyce Margaret; Sheila Beatrice.

He married secondly, in 1929, Louisa Mary Constance, daughter of Major Charles Frederick Marriott, 6th Dragoon Guards.

1st Baron Broughshane KBE (Image: Kensington & Chelsea Local Studies)

Sir William was elevated to the peerage, in 1945, in the dignity of BARON BROUGHSHANE, of Kensington, London.

His lordship was succeeded by his elder son,

PATRICK OWEN ALEXANDER, 2nd Baron (1903-95), of Kensington, a barrister, Major, Irish Guards, 1939-42, who married, in 1929, Bettine, only daughter of Sir Arthur Edward Ian Montagu Russell, 6th Baronet, and had issue, an only child,

THE HON ALEXANDER DAVISON (1936-88), who wedded firstly, in 1961, Teresa Clare, daughter of James Guy Bramwell, and had issue, two daughters,

Emma Bettine;

Harriet Laura.

He married secondly, in 1970, Cecilia Ann, daughter of John William Ingrams, and had further issue, a daughter,

Arundell.

The 2nd Baron espoused thirdly, in 1988, Daphne Bridget, daughter of Thomas Walter Jones.

The Hon Alexander Davison predeceased his father in 1988, without male issue.

Following the decease of the 2nd Baron, in 1995, the title expired.

Knockboy, County Antrim (historic OS map of ca 1830)

The Davisons lived at Knowehead, a dwelling in the townland of Knockboy, north-west of Broughshane, County Antrim.

They are first mentioned in the hearth money roll of 1666, and retained the lease of the property until a period between 1808-34.

The present house on the site was built in 1867, and has had numerous owners, perhaps the most notable of whom has been the well-known daffodil breeder, Guy Livingstone Wilson.

Former residences ~ 21 Eaton Square, London; 28 Fisher Street, Sandwich, Kent.