Muckross House

THE HERBERTS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY KERRY, WITH 47,238 ACRES

Since the merging of the elder branch of the family of CLIVE, by the marriage of the heiress of the last Herbert, Earl of Powis, with the son of the celebrated General Lord Clive, the chieftainship of the name seems indubitably to rest with HERBERT of Muckross, in County Kerry. 

Descended from Thomas Herbert, of Kilcow, he went to Ireland under the care and patronage of his relative Lord Herbert of Chirbury and Castleisland, in 1656; which Thomas was the son of Matthew, the son of Sir John, the son of Sir William, the son of Sir Matthew, of Colebrook, only brother of the Earl of Pembroke of the 1st Creation.

These brothers suffered as Yorkists in the wars of the Roses. The heir-general of the Earl of Pembroke married into the family of Somerset, Earl and Marquess of Worcester, and Duke of Beaufort.

From Richard Herbert descended in the younger branches the Lords Herbert of Cherbury, afterwards Earls of Powis, and Herbert, Earl of Torrington, both extinct in the male line; while from a senior, but never ennobled branch, the family of Muckross and Kilcow now remains the existing and legitimate representative of the famous name of HERBERT. The Herberts were granted land in County Kerry during the reign of ELIZABETH I.

THOMAS HERBERT, of Kilcow, High Sheriff of County Kerry, 1659, married Mary, daughter of Edward Kenny, of Cullen, County Cork, and had issue,

EDWARD, his successor;
John, dsp;
ARTHUR.

The eldest son,

EDWARD HERBERT MP (1660-1737), of Muckross, High Sheriff of Kerry, 1693, married, in 1684, Agnes, daughter of Patrick Crosbie, of Tubrid, County Kilkenny, and had issue,

EDWARD, his successor;
John, dsp;
Arthur, dsp;
Elizabeth; Margaret.

The eldest son,

EDWARD HERBERT (1693-1770), of Muckross, High Sheriff of County Kerry, 1708, MP for Ludlow in Shropshire, 1756, married Frances, daughter of Nicholas, 2nd Viscount Kenmare, and had issue,

THOMAS, his successor;
Nicholas (Rev);
Edward, MP.

The eldest son,

THOMAS HERBERT, of Muckross, MP for Ludlow, married firstly, Anne, daughter of John Martin, of Overbury, Worcestershire, and had issue,

HENRY ARTHUR, his heir;
Edward (Rev);
Frances; Catherine; Mary; Emily.

He wedded secondly, Agnes, daughter of the Rev Francis Bland, Vicar of Killarney, and had issue,

Thomas, dsp 1798, buried at Worcester Cathedral;
Francis, killed in a duel at Gibraltar, 1797;
Cherry; Elizabeth.

Mr Herbert died in 1779, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

HENRY ARTHUR HERBERT (1756-1821), who espoused Elizabeth, daughter of Lord George Sackville, and sister to the last Duke of Dorset, and had issue (with a daughter), a son and successor,

CHARLES JOHN HERBERT, of Muckross, High Sheriff of County Kerry, 1818, who married, in 1814, Louisa, daughter of Hugh Middleton, and had issue,

HENRY ARTHUR, his heir;
Charles, dsp;
Louisa; Jane; Maria.

Mr Herbert died in 1836, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

THE RT HON HENRY ARTHUR HERBERT (1815-66), of Muckross, Lord-Lieutenant and MP for County Kerry, High Sheriff of County Kerry, 1836, Colonel, the Kerry Militia, Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1857-8, who married, in 1837, Mary, daughter of James Balfour, by Lady Eleanor his wife, and had issue,

HENRY ARTHUR, his heir;
Charles;
Eleanor; Blanche.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

HENRY ARTHUR HERBERT DL MP (1840-1901), of Muckross, High Sheriff of County Kerry, 1881, MP for Kerry, 1866-80, Major, London Irish Rifles, Captain, Coldstream Guards, who espoused, in 1866, Emily Julia Charlotte, only child of Edward, 2nd Lord Keane, and had issue,

HENRY ARTHUR EDWARD KEANE, his heir;
Kathleen Mary Eleanor.

The only son,

HENRY ARTHUR EDWARD KEANE HERBERT JP (1867-1931), married, in 1893, Charlotte Alice Dorothy Montagu, daughter of Arthur Charles Montagu Gifford, though the marriage was without issue.

Smith indicates that two members of the family received lands in Kerry after the Desmond rebellion, Sir William Herbert receiving over 13,000 acres; while Charles Herbert received over 3,000 acres. 

Over the next three centuries they were to remain amongst the foremost families in County Kerry.

Henry Arthur Herbert was one of the principal lessors of property in the baronies of Dunkerron North and Magunihy, as well as holding some property in the barony of Trughanacmy, at the time of Griffith’s Valuation.

The family fortunes declined systematically in the late 19th century and most of the estate was sold in the 1890s.

MUCKROSS HOUSE, County Kerry, is an irregular-plan, six-bay, two-storey over basement, quadruple-gable-fronted, Elizabethan-Revival style country house with dormer attic, built between 1839-43, designed by William Burn.

It is situated close to the shores of Muckross Lake, amidst the beautiful scenery of Killarney National Park.

The house is a focal point within the park.

It was built for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife, the watercolour artist Mary Balfour Herbert.

This was the fourth house that successive generations of the Herbert family had occupied at Muckross over a period of almost two centuries. 

Originally it was intended to build a more ornate house than that which exists today.

The plans for a larger servants' wing, stable block, orangery and summer-house are believed to have been altered at Mary Herbert's request. 

Today the principal rooms are furnished in period style and portray the elegant lifestyle of the 19th century gentry; while, in the basement, one can imagine the busy bustle of the servants as they went about their daily chores.

During the 1850s, the Herberts undertook extensive garden works in preparation for Queen Victoria’s visit in 1861. 

Later, the Bourne Vincent family continued this gardening tradition.

They purchased the estate from Lord Ardilaun early in the 20th century.

It was at this time that the Sunken Garden, Rock Garden and Stream Garden were developed.

First published in December, 2011.  BIBLIOGRAPHY: MUCKROSS HOUSE WEBSITE

Drumadarragh House

THOMAS DIXON (1770-1849), of Bonamargy, Ballycastle, County Antrim, married Mary McNeill in 1804, and had a son,

THOMAS DIXON (1805-68), of Larne, County Antrim, merchant and shipowner, who wedded, in 1834, Sarah, daughter of Archibald McCambridge, of Mullarts, Cushendall, County Antrim.

The eldest surviving son,

DANIEL DIXON JP DL (1844-1907), of Ballymenoch, Holywood, County Down, and of Ravensdale, County Louth, and of Glenville, Cushendall, County Antrim, was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (Inst) and subsequently joined his father’s business, becoming a partner in 1864.

His brother, Thomas S Dixon, was also a partner.

The firm, Messrs Thomas Dixon & Sons, thrived and expanded into shipping, becoming owners of the Lord Line, which was formed in 1879 and operated services between Belfast, Dublin, Cardiff and Baltimore. They also sailed to Gulf of Mexico and several South American ports.

In 1917 the company went into liquidation and sold its two remaining ships to the Head Line (Ulster SS Co.). The Lord Line ran between Baltimore and Belfast every ten days. Daniel Dixon was a director of the Ulster Steamship Company, which owned the Head Line.

Sir Daniel was also chairman of the Ulster Marine Insurance Company and a director of the Belfast & County Down Railway.

Sir Daniel Dixon, 1st Baronet

It was his association with Belfast Corporation which brought Sir Daniel into public prominence: In 1872 he became a councillor for Dock Ward, in which his firm’s premises were located; and, nine years later, he became an alderman.

He felt strongly that the Belfast tramway system ought not to be private property and saw to it that it was owned and run by the ratepayers.

He was closely involved in the movement to build the City Hall and the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Purdysburn.

In 1892, Dixon became Mayor of Belfast for the first time, and was the first incumbent to receive the title of Lord Mayor by Royal Charter from Queen Victoria.

In the same year he was knighted.

He was re-elected in the following year and occupied the mayoral chair five more times between 1901-06.

In 1902 he was appointed a Privy Counsellor and Sir Daniel was created a baronet the following year, designated of Ballymenock, County Antrim.

• Mayor of Belfast, 1892
• High Sheriff of County Down, 1896
• Lord Mayor of Belfast, 1893, 1901-3, 1905-6 & 1906-7
• MP for North Belfast, 1905-07
  

In politics Sir Daniel was a staunch Conservative and a resolute opponent of Gladstone’s Home Rule proposals.

In 1905 he won the North Belfast by-election for the Unionist Party and successfully defended the seat in the general election of 1906.

Sir Daniel was a member of the Church of Ireland and generously supported the building of Belfast Cathedral.

He erected the “Joseph” window in the Cathedral's south aisle in memory of his brother, Thomas, and his son, Lieutenant Percy Dixon, 3rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, who died at Cairo, 26 August 1902, aged 20.

Dixon’s first wife was a daughter of James Agnew. His second, whom he married in 1870, was a daughter of James Shaw.

They lived at BALLYMENOCH, Holywood, County Down, and worshipped at Holywood Parish Church, where Sir Daniel was a member of the select vestry for 14 years.

It was on the morning of Sunday 10 March 1907 as he was walking from his home to church when he complained of sudden pain and, instead of continuing to church, he made for his son Herbert’s house near by.

There, in spite of the efforts of his sons, Herbert and Daniel, and a nurse, he died of cardiac failure within minutes.

Sir Daniel left £307,151 in his will which equates to about £28 million in today's money.

On his decease, Sir Daniel was survived by his wife, four sons and five daughters.

His eldest son,

THE RT HON  SIR THOMAS JAMES DIXON, 2nd Baronet (1868-1950), JP, Privy Counsellor, of Graymount and Drumadarragh, succeeded in the baronetcy.

Sir Thomas Dixon Bt. (Image:Mid & East Antrim Borough Council)

His other sons were Daniel, Frank and Herbert.

• High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1912
• High Sheriff of County Down, 1913
• NI Senator, 1924
• HM Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast, 1924-50. 

The 2nd Baronet was succeeded in the baronetcy by his younger brother, 

THE RT HON SIR HERBERT DIXON, 3rd Baronet (1880-1950), OBE, PC,

born in Belfast; educated at Harrow and Sandhurst; commissioned into the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and served in the 2nd World War. Sir Herbert was elected Unionist MP for Belfast Pottinger in 1918, becoming representative for East Belfast four years later. He was also sent to Stormont in 1921 as a MP for Belfast East, being appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance; and was finally elected MP for Belfast Bloomfield in 1929. Sir Herbert was appointed OBE in 1919 and appointed privy counsellor of NI in 1923.

Sir Herbert was elevated to the peerage, in 1939, in the dignity of BARON GLENTORAN, of Ballyalloly, County Down.

He served as Government Chief Whip from 1921-42 and as Minister of Agriculture at Stormont, 1941-43.

In 1950 he succeeded his elder brother as 3rd Baronet.

The 1st Baron married, in 1905, Emily Ina Florence, daughter of Arthur, 6th Baron Clanmorris (this family shares a common ancestor with the Earls of Lucan).

He died in 1950, and was succeeded by his son,

DANIEL STEWART THOMAS, 2nd Baron and 4th Baronet (1912-95), KBE,

educated at Eton and Sandhurst; appointed ADC to the General Officer Commanding NI in 1935; Grenadier Guards, 2nd World War; mentioned in dispatches; and in 1950; MP for Belfast Bloomfield at Stormont; Minister of Commerce, a post he held until elected to the NI Senate in 1961. 

He was then minister in, and leader of, the Senate for three years, becoming its last Speaker in 1964. Lord Glentoran was said to have had such a grand demeanour that once, when visiting America, a Texas newspaper carried the headline "Irish Royalty to Visit Texas".

The 4th Baron was appointed KBE in 1973. Lord Glentoran was also HM Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast from 1950-85. In 1933 he married Lady Diana Mary Wellesley (died 1984), daughter of the 3rd Earl Cowley, by whom he had three children.

Coronation Day, 1953, 2nd Lord & Lady Glentoran. Photo Credit : NPG

MAJOR THOMAS ROBIN VALERIAN, 3rd and present Baron and the 5th Dixon Baronet (1935-), CBE.

I have written about him HERE.

DRUMADARRAGH HOUSE, near Doagh, County Antrim, is a two-storey, three-bay, 18th century house with fan-lighted doorway.

Two wings were added ca 1827 of two bays each, in keeping with the centre block, though each has a pediment gable with an oeil-de-boeuf window.

The rear of the house is similar, except for a wing in the same style as the rest of the house which was added in 1903.

The site benefits from mature trees which provide a shelter belt, the chief attribute being a well planted and maintained ornamental garden planted from 1948, both within and outside the walled garden.

Outside there is a wild garden beside a stream and inside there are herbaceous borders, island beds, productive areas, mature trees and an arboretum begun in 1964.

*****

Drumadarragh House was purchased in Thomas Dixon in 1891, though used only as an occasional residence, because the family also owned Graymount in Belfast and RAVENSDALE PARK, County Louth.

Drumadarragh was requisitioned by the army during the 2nd World War; and then reverted to private ownership, by Lord Glentoran.

Drumadarragh House is the seat of the LORD AND LADY GLENTORAN.

First published in 2010.  Glentoran arms: Robin S Taylor/ Wikipedia.

Mount Ievers Court

THE IEVERS' OWNED 1,203 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY CLARE

This family is descended from HENRY IVERS, of Yorkshire, who settled in County Clare in 1643. He was Clerk to the King's Commissioners for settling the quit rents, and afterwards became the Deputy Receiver. Mr Ivers was a magistrate and High Sheriff of that county, in which he held considerable landed property.

Further lucrative positions followed after the Restoration and, in 1680, Thomas Dinely estimated his income at £2,600 a year (about £580,000 in 2019), which allowed him to amass a considerable fortune and some 12,000 acres before his death in 1691.

Henry Ivers, High Sheriff of County Clare, 1673, married Elizabeth, daughter of Captain Stephens, of Ballysheen, and had issue,

Henry;
John;
William;
Thomas;
Robert;
GEORGE, of whom we treat;
Ambrose;
Ellen.

The sixth son,

GEORGE IEVERS, wedded a daughter of Robert Seward, of County Cork, and had issue,

ROBERT, his heir;
George;
Henry.

The eldest son,

ROBERT IEVERS, espoused Mary Parsons, of County Limerick, and died in 1783, having had issue,

Henry;
Richard;
John Henry;
GEORGE, of whom presently;
Mary; Anne; Frances.

Mr Ievers died in 1783, and was succeeded by his youngest son,

GEORGE IEVERS (c1757-1808), married, in 1783, Eleanor, daughter of James Butler, of Castle Crine, County Clare, and had issue,

Robert;
William;
George;
Thomas;
James;
EYRE, of whom hereafter;
Mary; Elizabeth; Jane.

The youngest son,

EYRE IEVERS JP (1797-1860), of Mount Ievers, wedded, in 1842, Mildred, daughter of Maurice Newnan, and had issue,

JAMES BUTLER, his heir;
Eyre;
George Maurice;
William;
Philip Glover;
Mary Shinkwin; Mildred; Elizabeth Anne.

Mr Ievers was succeeded by his eldest son,

JAMES BUTLER IEVERS JP (1844-1915), of Mount Ievers, and Quinville Abbey, County Clare, who espoused firstly, in 1866, Elizabeth Buchanan, second daughter of Robert Blackwell, of The Prairie, County Down, and had issue,

EYRE HERBERT, his heir;
Mildred.

He married secondly, in 1899, Ernesta Carlotta Nina, younger daughter of Deputy Surgeon-General George Whitla.

Mr Ievers was succeeded by his son,

EYRE HERBERT IEVERS JP (1867-1922), of Mount Ievers, and Glenduff Castle, County Limerick, Captain, 5th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers, who wedded, in 1902, Frances Hetty Webb, only daughter of Herbert Webb Gillman, and had issue,

EYRE HERBERT, his heir;
James Henry Gillman, b 1910;
Mildred Vivian; Annie Muriel Elizabeth.

The elder son,

COLONEL EYRE HERBERT IEVERS (1904-89), wedded, in 1934, Moirin, third daughter of the Very Rev Dr Henry John Gillespie, Dean of Killaloe, and had issue,

Nial (1946-64);
Fiona, b 1948.

MOUNT IEVERS COURT, near Sixmilebridge, County Clare, was built in 1738 by Colonel Henry Ievers to the design of John Rothery.

It replaced an older tower house, shown in Dinely’s drawing, which Henry Ievers may actually have built, since a chimney-piece re-used in the house bears the date 1648.

His eldest son was disinherited for marrying “a person of noe fortune” and the estate was inherited by the second son, Colonel Thomas Ivers, MP for County Clare, who changed the family name to Ievers.

Henry’s grandson, another Henry, inherited in 1731.

Within two years he had begun the construction of a new house, Mount Ievers Court, completed in 1738 at a cost of £1,478 7s. 9d. (about £316,000 in today's money), plus the value of two horses, two mules and various other expenses.

The house was built of red brick, which became fashionable for Irish country houses in the 1730s, and has faded to a wonderful rose pink, the plan derives from Inigo Jones’s Chevening in Kent, although the facades are both simpler and more accomplished, diminishing subtly as they rise to the bold cornice.

The Walled Garden (Image: Karen Ievers, 2022)

There are two formal fronts: the south front is of cut limestone, and the north front, originally the entrance front, of brick “exquisitely disciplined by the limestone of coigns, strings and cornice”.

The builder, John Rothery, who hailed from a prominent family of architects and builders in counties Limerick and Cork, died during construction.

The Walled Garden (Image: Karen Ievers, 2022)

In the words of the architectural historian Maurice Craig, “Superlatives have been used about out this house, and with good reason” though he also admits that the building was not in the forefront of fashion since “in style and spirit there is nothing about it which could not be of 1710,” an impression heightened by the combination of heavy glazing bars, small panes and sashes four panes wide.

Set above a high basement the interior is plain but grand, with a profusion of plaster panelling, elaborate cornices, simple compartmented ceilings, unusually generous doors with robust joinery, and a splendidly carved staircase with alternating barley-sugar and fluted balusters.

The topmost floor contains a long, barrel-vaulted gallery which stretches across the full length of the building, a feature of other Rothery houses such as the long-demolished Bowen’s Court, where it was used for dancing and exercise on wet days.

A Naïf painting, used as an overmantel in one ground floor room, shows a faithful reproduction of the present garden front with a splendidly baroque double-curved perron, instead of the present arrangement of steps, all set in an elaborate formal layout that has either largely disappeared or may never have been fully completed.

(Image: Karen Ievers)

The Ievers family’s prominence in local affairs faded over the years and much of the estate was lost in the 19th and 20th centuries before the house was sold to a cousin, Squadron Leader Norman Ievers RAF (1912-93), in 1939.

Returning at the end of the 2nd World War in 1945, after his retirement from the Royal Air Force, Squadron Leader Norman Ievers was able to re-purchase the house from his cousin’s daughter and set about a sympathetic and sensitive restoration with his wife.

Today the house is owned by their son, Norman Eyre Ievers (b 1973), together with his wife and family.

First published in November, 2017.  Select bibliography: Irish Historic Houses Association.

1st Earl of Normanton

THE EARLS OF NORMANTON OWNED 7,625 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY TIPPERARY, 3,294 IN COUNTY KILKENNY, AND 1,003 IN COUNTY LIMERICK

CHARLES AGAR (1639-96), of York, Yorkshire, married Ellis, daughter of Peter Blanchville, of County Kilkenny, and settling at Gowran, in that county, died there, and was succeeded by his son,

JAMES AGAR (1672-1733), of Gowran Castle, MP for Gowran, 1713-15, who wedded firstly, in 1692, Susannah, daughter of John Alexander, but by that lady had no issue to survive youth.

He espoused secondly, Mary, eldest daughter of Sir Henry Wemyss, Knight, of Danesfort, County Kilkenny, and had by her (who died in 1771, aged 106),

HENRY, his heir;
James;
Ellis, created suo jure COUNTESS OF BRANDON;
Mary.

The elder son,

HENRY AGAR, MP for Gowran, 1727, married, in 1733, Anne, only daughter of the Most Rev Welbore Ellis, Lord Bishop of Meath, and had issue,

James, his heir, created VISCOUNT CLIFDEN;
Welbore Ellis;
CHARLES, of whom we treat;
Henry;
Diana.

The third son,

THE MOST REV AND RIGHT HON DR CHARLES AGAR (1736-1809), Lord Archbishop of Dublin, Primate of Ireland and Metropolitan, married, in 1776, Jane, daughter of William Benson, and had issue,

WELBORE ELLIS, his successor;
George Charles;
James (Rev);
Frances Anne.

Dr Agar was of Westminster School, and Christ Church, Oxford; he went as Chaplain with Hugh, 1st Duke, then Earl of Northumberland, KG, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1763, and was promoted to the deanery of Kilmore, consecrated Lord Bishop of Cloyne, 1768, translated thence to the archbishopric of Cashel, 1771, and to the archbishopric of Dublin and primacy of Ireland, 1801.

His Grace was elevated to the peerage, in 1794, in the dignity of Baron Somerton; and advanced to a viscountcy, in 1801, as Viscount Somerton.

He was further advanced to an earldom, in 1806, as EARL OF NORMANTON.

The 1st Earl was interred beside his Countess at Westminster Abbey.

The inscription on His Grace’s great marble monument in the Abbey reads,

Sacred to the memory of Charles Agar, D.D. Earl of Normanton, and Archbishop of Dublin.

He was educated at Westminster School, and was a student of Christ-Church Oxford.

In 1768 he was consecrated Bishop of Cloyne in Ireland; and translated from thence to the Archbishopric of Cashel in 1779.

In 1795 he was created Baron Somerton of Somerton in the county of Kilkenny, and Viscount Somerton in 1800.

In the following year he became Archbishop of Dublin and in 1806 was created Earl of Normanton. 

He departed this life on the 14th of July 1809 aged 72 years and rests near this spot, in the same grave with his uncle the Right Honourable Welbore Ellis, Baron Mendip.

In the course of his episcopal labours not less than seventeen churches and twenty two glebe houses for the residence of his clergy were built under his direction and assistance; and he erected principally at his own expense the cathedral church of Cashel.

As a statesman and a prelate he was an able and zealous supporter of the religion which he professed and taught, and of the country at whose councils he assisted.

His care for the welfare of the church is testified by the numerous Acts of Parliament which he framed for its permanent regulation and support.

The perfect state in which his dioceses were left, and the veneration impressed by his talents and virtues on the hearts of those over whom he presided are far nobler monuments than any which can be erected to his memory.

His Grace’s eldest son,

WELBORE ELLIS, 2nd Earl (1778-1868), of Somerley House, wedded, in 1816, the Lady Diana Herbert, daughter of George, 11th Earl of Pembroke, and had issue,

JAMES CHARLES HERBERT WELBORE ELLIS, his successor;
Herbert Welbore Ellis;
Charles Welbore Herbert;
Mary Jane Diana.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

JAMES CHARLES HERBERT WELBORE ELLIS, 3rd Earl (1818-96), JP DL, of Somerley, who espoused, in 1856, Caroline Susan Augusta, daughter of William, 6th Viscount Barrington, and had issue,

CHARLES GEORGE WELBORE ELLIS, styled Viscount Somerton (1856-94);
SIDNEY JAMES, of whom hereafter;
Henry Augustus Bernard;
Francis William Arthur;
Caroline Elizabeth; Mary Beatrice; Margaret Elizabeth Diana; Mary Adelaide.

His lordship was succeeded by his second son,

SIDNEY JAMES, 4th Earl (1865-1933), of Somerley, who married, in 1894, the Lady Amy Frederica Alice Byng, daughter of Henry, 4th Earl of Strafford, and had issue,

EDWARD JOHN SIDNEY CHRISTIAN WELBORE ELLIS, his successor;
Georgiana Mary Elizabeth; Alexandra Henrietta Alice; Caroline Amy Cora;
Mary Karen; Diana Julia; Amy Louise; Rosemary Beatrice.

His lordship was succeeded by his son,

EDWARD JOHN SIDNEY CHRISTIAN WELBORE ELLIS, 5th Earl (1910-67), of Somerley, who wedded firstly, in 1937, Barbara Mary, daughter of Sir Frederick William Francis George Frankland Bt; and secondly, in 1944, the Lady Fiona Pratt, daughter of John, 4th Marquess Camden, and had issue,

SHAUN JAMES CHRISTIAN WELBORE ELLIS, his successor;
Mark Sidney Andrew.

His lordship was succeeded by his elder son,

SHAUN JAMES CHRISTIAN WELBORE ELLIS, 6th Earl (1945-2019), of Somerley, who espoused firstly, in 1970, Victoria Susan, daughter of J H C Beard, and had issue,

JAMES SHAUN CHRISTIAN WELBORE ELLIS, his successor;
Portia Caroline; Marisa Charlotte.

He married secondly, after 2000, Rosalind Bernice Nott.

His lordship was succeeded by his son,

JAMES SHAUN CHRISTIAN WELBORE ELLIS (1982-), 7th Earl, of Somerley, who married, in 2012, the Lady Lucy Caroline Alexander, daughter of Shane, 2nd Earl Alexander of Tunis, and has issue,

ARTHUR ALEXANDER CHRISTIAN WELBORE ELLIS, styled Viscount Somerton;
Frederick Charles Edward;
Georgiana Rose.

Seat ~ Somerley House, near Ringwood, Hampshire; former London residence ~ 3, Seamore Place, Curzon Street.  
 
First published in December, 2019. 

The Langham Baronets

 This family is descended from WILLIAM, son of Henry de Langham, who held land in Langham, Rutland, during the reign of EDWARD I.

The fourteenth in lineal descent from him was

ALDERMAN SIR JOHN LANGHAM (1584-1671), Knight, Sheriff of London, 1642, who was created a baronet in 1660, designated of Cottesbrooke, Northamptonshire.

The conferral of a baronetcy was as a recompense for his sufferings in the royal cause (having been twice committed to the Tower, with the Lord Mayor and other aldermen, for refusing to publish an act for the abolition of royalty). Sir John, who acquired a large fortune as a turkey merchant, represented the City of London in parliament in 1654, and the borough of Southwark, 1660.

He married Mary, daughter of James Bunce, and was succeeded at his decease by his eldest son,

SIR JAMES LANGHAM, 2nd Baronet (1621-99), who married thrice, but left one daughter only by his first wife Mary, daughter and co-heir of Sir Edward Alston, Knight; namely Mary, wedded to Henry, Earl of Warrington.

Following his decease the title devolved upon his brother,

SIR WILLIAM LANGHAM, 3rd Baronet (c1625-1700), of Walgrave, Sheriff of Northampton, 1672, MP for Northampton, who married thrice, but had issue by his third marriage only (with Martha, daughter of Herbert Hay), a son, his successor,

SIR JOHN LANGHAM, 4th Baronet (c1670-1747), who espoused firstly, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Samwell Bt, of Upton, Northamptonshire, and had, with other children,

JAMES &
JOHN, successive baronets;
William, father of JAMES, 7th Baronet.

Sir John married secondly, Maria, eldest daughter of Sir Richard Temple KB, and widow of the Rev Dr West, and had several children.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JAMES LANGHAM, 5th Baronet (c1696-1749); who died without issue, when the title devolved upon his brother,

SIR JOHN LANGHAM, 6th Baronet (c1698-1766), who transmitted his memory to posterity by placing £6,000 in new South-Sea annuities, in the hands of the Corporation of London, for the purpose of founding a society for the relief of distressed soldiers and sailors, and their families.

Sir John died without issue, when the title devolved upon (the son of his deceased brother, William) his nephew,

SIR JAMES LANGHAM, 7th Baronet (1736-95), High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, 1797, who married firstly, in 1767, Juliana, sister and sole heiress of Thomas Musgrave, of Old Cleve, Somerset, and had, with other issue,

WILLIAM, his successor;

JAMES, 10th Baronet.

Sir James was succeeded by his second son,

SIR WILLIAM LANGHAM, 8th Baronet (1771-1812), High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, 1797, who espoused firstly, 1795, Henrietta Elizabeth Frederica, only daughter and heiress of the Hon Charles Vane, of Mount Ida, Norfolk, and had issue,

WILLIAM HENRY, 9th Baronet;

Henrietta; Charlotte.

He wedded secondly, in 1810, Augusta Priscilla, only daughter of the Hon William Henry Irby, and niece of Lord Boston.

Sir William was succeeded by his only son,

SIR WILLIAM HENRY LANGHAM, 9th Baronet (1796-1812), who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his uncle,

SIR JAMES LANGHAM, 10th Baronet (1776-1833), MP for St Germains, High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, 1816, who married, in 1800, Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Francis Burdett, and sister of Sir Francis Burdett Bt, of Foremark, Derbyshire, by whom he had, with other issue,

JAMES HAY, his successor;

Herbert;

Henrietta.

Sir James was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JAMES HAY LANGHAM, 11th Baronet (1802-93), who wedded, in 1828, Margaret Emma, eldest daughter of 2nd Baron Kenyon, and dsp 1893, and was succeeded by his nephew,

SIR HERBERT HAY LANGHAM, 12th Baronet (1840-1909), JP DL, who espoused, in 1868, Anna Maria Frances, second daughter of 3rd Baron Sandys, and had issue,

HERBERT CHARLES ARTHUR, his successor;

*Cecily (Rockfield Cottage, Portaferry, County Down).

He was succeeded by his only son,

SIR HERBERT CHARLES ARTHUR LANGHAM, 13th Baronet (1870-1951), JP DL, of Cottesbrooke, Northamptonshire, High Sheriff of County Fermanagh, 1930, who wedded, in 1893, Ethel Sarah, eldest daughter of Sir William Emerson-Tennent, 2nd Baronet, of Tempo Manor, County Fermanagh, and had issue,

JOHN CHARLES PATRICK, his successor.

He was succeeded by his only son,

SIR JOHN CHARLES PATRICK LANGHAM, 14th Baronet (1894-1972), JP DL, of Tempo Manor, who married, in 1930, Rosamond Christabel, younger daughter of Arthur Rashleigh, of Holy Well House, Malvern Wells, Worcestershire, and had issue,

JAMES MICHAEL, his successor.

Sir John was succeeded by his only son,

SIR JAMES MICHAEL LANGHAM, 15th Baronet (1932-2002), TD, of Tempo Manor, Captain, North Irish Horse, who married, in 1959, Marion Ellen Audrey Barratt, daughter of Oswald Horner Barratt, and had issue,

JOHN STEPHEN, his successor;

Rupert William;

Lucinda Jane.

Sir James was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JOHN STEPHEN LANGHAM, 16th Baronet (1960-), of Tempo Manor, who married, in 1991, Sarah Jane, daughter of John Denis Greene, and has issue,

TYRONE DENIS JAMES, his successor;

Phœbe Tara; Isabella Hay.

*****

SIR CHARLES LANGHAM, 13th Baronet, sold the ancestral seat, Cottesbrooke Park, in 1911.

He married Ethel Tennent in 1893 and they lived at TEMPO MANOR, which his wife had inherited.

The Langhams acquired the Cottesbrooke estate in around 1635-40. They progressed from very humble beginnings in Guilsborough to becoming Lord Mayor of London, accumulating huge wealth trading with Turkey and the Middle East. In 1660, John Langham was sent to Breda in Holland to petition King Charles II to return to England – he was rewarded with a baronetcy.

Langham Place, London, as the short stretch of new road linking Upper Regent Street with Portland Place was known, took its name from Sir James Langham, 10th Baronet, whom Nash secured in 1813 as client for the biggest house to be erected on the surplus Foley House plots that he had set aside for building on.

Former seats ~ Cottesbrooke Hall, Northamptonshire; Glyndebourne, East Sussex; Southend, Essex.

Former London residence ~ Langham House, Portland Place.

First published in April, 2014.

The Dixon Baronets

THE DIXON BARONETCY, OF BALLYMENOCK, WAS CREATED IN 1903 FOR DANIEL DIXON, LORD MAYOR OF BELFAST

THOMAS DIXON (1770-1849), of Bun-na-Mairge or Bonamargy, near Ballycastle, County Antrim, married, in 1804, Mary McNeill, and had an only son,

THOMAS DIXON (1805-68), of Larne, County Antrim, timber merchant and shipowner, who wedded, in 1834, Sarah, daughter of Daniel McCambridge, and had issue,

Francis McCambridge (c1836-66);
Thomas S;
DANIEL, of whom hereafter;
Alexander McCambridge;
Mary McNeill; Sarah.

Mr Dixon's third son,

THE RT HON DANIEL DIXON JP DL (1844-1907), Lord Mayor of Belfast, 1893, 1901-3, 1905-6, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1896, MP for Belfast North, 1905-7, Privy Counsellor, espoused firstly, in 1867, Eliza, daughter of James Agnew, and had issue,

THOMAS JAMES, his heir.

He married secondly, in 1870, Annie, daughter of James Shaw, and had issue,

Daniel;
Frank;
HERBERT, 1ST BARON GLENTORAN;
Percy;
Evelyn Annie; Kate; Edith Sarah; Louise; Beatrice.

Photo Credit: Belfast Harbour Commissioners

Mr Dixon was created a baronet in 1903, designated of Ballymenock, County Antrim.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

THE RT HON  SIR THOMAS JAMES DIXON (1868-1950), 2nd Baronet, JP, of Graymount and Drumadarragh, who wedded, in 1906, Edith Stewart, daughter of Stewart Clark, though the marriage was without issue.

Sir Thomas, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1912, County Down, 1913, Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast, 1924-50, Privy Counsellor, was succeeded by his brother,

THE RT HON SIR HERBERT DIXON, 3rd Baronet (1880-1950), OBE PC, High Sheriff of County Kildare, 1916, who espoused, in 1905, Emily Ina Florence, daughter of John George Barry, 5th Baron Clanmorris, and had issue,

DANIEL STEWART THOMAS BINGHAM, his successor;
Daphne Maude; Anne Lavinia; Angela Ierne Evelyn; Patricia Clare.

Sir Herbert was elevated to the peerage, in 1939, in the dignity of BARON GLENTORAN, of Ballyalloly, County Down.

His lordship was succeeded by his only son,

DANIEL STEWART THOMAS BINGHAM (1912-95), 2nd Baron and 4th Baronet, KBE, who wedded, in 1933, the Lady Diana Mary Wellesley, daughter of Henry Arthur Mornington, 3rd Earl Cowley, and had issue,

THOMAS ROBIN VALERIAN, his successor;
Peter Herbert;
Clare Rosalind.

His lordship was succeeded by his elder son,

THOMAS ROBIN VALERIAN, 3rd Baron and 5th Baronet (1935-).

First published in August, 2010.

The Davis-Goff Baronets

THE DAVIS-GOFFS OWNED 2,576 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY WEXFORD

THE REV STEPHEN GOFFE or GOUGH, Rector of Bramber, West Sussex, 1603-5, and St Botolph's, 1605-6, married Deborah West, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his heir;
James;
Timothy;
Stephen (Rev);
John (Rev).

The eldest son,

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL WILLIAM GOFFE (c1605-c1679), wedded Frances, daughter of Major-General Edward Whalley, and had issue,

RICHARD, his heir;
Anne; Elizabeth; Frances.

The only son,

RICHARD GOFFE, of Waterford, County Waterford, espoused, in 1681, Hannah, daughter of Jonas Chamberlain, and had issue,

William;
Richard;
Jonas;
JACOB, of whom hereafter;
Mary; Hannah; Elizabeth.

The youngest son,

JACOB GOFF (1695-c1751), of Dublin, married, in 1721, Mary, daughter of John Fade, and had issue,

Joseph;
Fade;
JACOB, of whom we treat;
Hannah; Mary; Sarah; Elizabeth.

The third son,

JACOB GOFF (c1736-c1799), married Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Wilson, and had issue,

Joseph Fade;
WILLIAM;
Anne; Dinah; Elizabeth.

The younger son,

WILLIAM GOFF (1762-1840), of Horetown House, County Wexford, High Sheriff of County Wexford, 1807 and 1811, wedded, in 1784, Rebecca, daughter of Edward Deaves, and had issue,

Jacob William, dsp;
REBECCA, of whom hereafter;
Mary; Sally; Lucy Anne; Arabella; Elizabeth.

Mr Goff's eldest daughter,

MISS REBECCA GOFF, espoused, in 1809, Francis Davis, of Waterford, and had issue,

STRANGMAN;
Henry (1825-63).

Mrs Davis died in 1859, and was succeeded by her elder son,

STRANGMAN DAVIS JP (1810-72), of Horetown House, County Wexford, who married, in 1835, Susan Maxwell, daughter of Arthur Ussher, and had issue,

WILLIAM, his heir;
Ussher;
Charles Edward;
Francis;
Margaretta Ussher; Julia Anna; Rebecca; Lucy Ussher.

Mr Davis added the additional surname of GOFF in 1845, under the terms of his uncle's will.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM DAVIS-GOFF JP DL (1838-1918), of Glenville, County Waterford, High Sheriff of Waterford City, 1869, County Waterford, 1892, who wedded, in 1866, Anna Maria, daughter of Michael Dobbyn Hassard, and had issue,

HERBERT WILLIAM, his heir;
William Ernest.

Mr Davis-Goff was created a baronet in 1905, designated of Glenville, County Waterford.

He was succeeded by his elder son,

SIR HERBERT WILLIAM DAVIS-GOFF, 2nd Baronet (1870-1923), DL, High Sheriff of County Waterford, 1914, Captain, RASC, who espoused, in 1903, Margaret Aimée, daughter of the Rt Hon Sir Charles Stewart Scott GCB GCMG, and had issue,

ERNEST WILLIAM, his successor;
Charles Herbert;
Terence Richard;
Doreen Christian.

Sir Herbert was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR ERNEST WILLIAM GOFF-DAVIS, 3rd Baronet (1904-80), who married, in 1941, Alice Cynthia Sainthill, daughter of Robert Woodhouse, and had issue,

ROBERT WILLIAM, his successor;
Annabel Claire; Julia Christian; Alice Maria.

Sir Ernest was succeeded by his only son,

SIR ROBERT WILLIAM DAVIS-GOFF, 4th and present Baronet (1955-), of Ballinacor, County Wicklow, and Lissen Hall, County Dublin, who wedded, in 1978, Nathalie Sheelagh, daughter of Terence Chadwick, of Lissen Hall, County Dublin, and has issue,

WILLIAM NATHANIEL (b 1980);
Henry Terence Chadwick;
James Sammy Chadwick;
Sarah Chadwick.

Residences ~ Ballinacor Estate, County Wicklow; Lissen Hall, Donabate, County Dublin; Eairy Moar Farm, Glen Helen, Isle of Man.

The Williams-Wynn Baronets

THE WILLIAMS-WYNN BARONETS WERE THE LARGEST LANDOWNERS IN DENBIGHSHIRE, WITH 28,721 ACRES

The WILLIAMS-WYNNS of Wynnstay had for generations enjoyed pre-eminent rank in the principality of Wales, and are second to none among the Cambrian families in territorial possessions and political influence.

THE REV DR HUGH WILLIAMS (1596-1670), of Nantanog, Anglesey, Vicar of Llantrisant, second son of William Williams, of Chwaen-Issa, left by Emma, his wife, daughter and heir of John Dolben, of Cae-Gwynon, Denbighshire, and niece of the Bishop of Bangor, a son,

WILLIAM WILLIAMS (1634-1700), an eminent lawyer, Recorder of Chester, and Speaker of the House of Commons in the reign of CHARLES II, who married, in 1664, Margaret, daughter and co-heiress of Watkin Kyffin, of Glascoed, Denbighshire (by this lady Glascoed was transmitted to her husband's family), and had issue,

WILLIAM, his heir;

John;

Emma.

Mr Williams was created a baronet in 1688, designated of Grey's Inn, Middlesex.

Sir William was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR WILLIAM WILLIAMS, 2nd Baronet (c1665-1740), MP for Denbigh, 1708-10, who wedded firstly, Jane, daughter and heiress of Edward Thelwall, of Plas y Ward, Denbighshire, by Sidney his wife, daughter and heiress of William Wynn, son of Sir John Wynn, 1st Baronet, and had issue,

Robert, died in 1763 without issue;

Richard;

WATKIN, of whom hereafter;

Margaret; Sydney.

He espoused secondly, Catherine, daughter of Mytton Davies, but had no other issue.

Sir William was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR WATKIN WILLIAMS-WYNN, 3rd Baronet (c1692-1749), MP for Denbighshire, 1716-49, who inherited the seat of Wynnstay and other estates of his great-great-grandfather, Sir John Wynn, already mentioned, and assumed, in consequence, the additional surname and arms of WYNN.

He married firstly, Anne, daughter and co-heiress, of Edward Vaughan; though dying without issue during her husband's lifetime, this lady devised to him Llangedwyn and her other estates.

Sir Watkin espoused secondly, in 1748, Frances, daughter of George Shakerley, of Holme, in Cheshire, by whom he left two sons, and was succeeded at his decease (occasioned by a fall from his horse in returning from hunting) by the elder son,

SIR WATKIN WILLIAMS-WYNN, 4th Baronet (1749-89), MP for Shropshire, 1772-74, Denbighshire, 1774-89, who wedded firstly, in 1769, the Lady Henrietta Somerset, fifth daughter of Charles, 4th Duke of Beaufort, who died in a few months afterwards; and secondly, in 1771, Charlotte, daughter of the Rt Hon George Grenville, sister of the Marquess of Buckingham, and had issue,

WATKIN, his successor;

Charles Watkin;

Henry Watkin;

Frances; Henrietta Elizabeth; Charlotte.

Sir Watkin was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR WATKIN WILLIAMS-WYNN, 5th Baronet (1772-1840), MP for Denbighshire, 1794-6, who married, in 1817, the Lady Henrietta Antonia Clive, eldest daughter of Edward, 1st Earl of Powis, and had issue,

WATKIN, his successor;

Herbert Watkin, father of the 9th Baronet;

Henrietta Charlotte.

Sir Watkin was succeeded by his elder son,

SIR WATKIN WILLIAMS-WYNN, 6th Baronet (1820-85), MP for Denbighshire, 1841-85, who wedded, in 1852, Marie Emily, daughter of the Rt Hon Sir Henry Watkin Williams-Wynn KCB, and had issue,

LOUISE ALEXANDRA WILLIAMS-WYNN, who wedded, in 1884, her cousin, SIR HERBERT LLOYD WATKIN WILLIAMS-WYNN, 7th Baronet, and had issue,

WATKIN, his successor;

Gwladys Elin; Constance Mary.

Sir Herbert was succeeded by his only son,

SIR WATKIN WILLIAMS-WYNN, 8th Baronet (1891-1949), JP DL, High Sheriff of Denbighshire, 1948, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, 1949, who married, in 1920, Daisy, daughter of John Johnson Houghton, and had issue,

Watkin (1925-46);

Margaret Helen; Bronwen Mary; Joan.

Sir Watkin died without surviving male issue, when the baronetcy reverted to his cousin,

SIR ROBERT WILLIAM HERBERT WATKIN WILLIAMS-WYNN, 9th Baronet (1862-1951), KCB DSO TD, who wedded, in 1904, Elizabeth Ida, daughter of George William Lowther, and had issue,

OWEN WATKIN, his successor;

Edward Watkin;

Joyce; Margaret.

Sir Robert was succeeded by his elder son,

SIR OWEN WATKIN WILLIAMS-WYNN, 10th Baronet, 

Sir Owen Watkin Williams-Wynn, 10th Baronet (1904–1988);
Sir David Watkin Williams-Wynn, 11th Baronet (1940-2023);

Sir Charles Edward Watkin Williams-Wynn, 12th Baronet (b 1970).

WYNNSTAY HALL, near Wrexham, Denbighshire, formerly the principal seat of the Williams-Wynns, was developed from a 17th century timber-frame structure, only the added stone tower of 1706 now surviving.

The mansion house was enlarged and remodelled in 1736-8 by Francis Smith of Warwick and his son, who also designed the stable block.

A large assembly room was added and James Wyatt carried out some works, but ambitious proposals were never realised.

The building was re-cased in the early 19th century.

Works by CR Cockrell and Benjamin Ferrey were proceeding when fire damaged much of the building in 1858.

Following the fire, Ferrey rebuilt the house in 16th century French Renaissance style with sandstone ashlar and areas of sandstone rubble.

The Williams-Wynns vacated Wynnstay in the mid-20th century in favour of the nearby Plas Belan on the Wynnstay estate.

It was subsequently bought by Lindesfarne College.

When the school closed due to bankruptcy, the building was converted into flats and several private houses.

The Williams-Wynns were one of the greatest landowners in the Principality of Wales.

Former seats ~ Wynnstay, Denbighshire; Llangedwyn Hall, Oswestry; Glan-Llyn, Merionethshire.

Former town house ~ 18 St James's Square.

First published in February, 2021.

1st Earl of Clanwilliam

This family have been for centuries settled in the county and city of Cork, and have been landed proprietors from the earliest mention of the name.

 Charles Smith, in his history of that county, mentions that at Meadstown there was formerly a castle built by the Meades; that they had the patronage of the prebend of Lisleary; and that many of this ancient family were interred at Buttevant Friary.

A descendant of this house was William Miagh, consecrated Lord Bishop of Kildare, 1540, and a privy counsellor to HENRY VIII.

JOHN MIAGH, called in Chancery Bills in Ireland "the great John Miagh," was seised in fee of the fishery weir of Lough Mahon, in the Haven of Cork.

His son,

JOHN MIAGH, was called "the younger," and was succeeded by his son,

WILLIAM MIAGH, who died ante 1488, and was succeeded by his son and heir,

JOHN MIAGH, who was adjudged by a decree or deed of arbitration before Maurice Roche, Mayor of Cork, and others, in 1488, the weir in the Harbour of Cork, as heir of his father and grandfather.

He was succeeded by his son and heir,

WILLIAM MEAGH, who is recorded in a Chancery Bill to have been succeeded by his son and heir,

JOHN MEAGH, MIAGH, OR MEADE, elected MP for Cork City, 1559, and again, 1585.

He was Recorder of Cork, the Queen's Attorney for Munster, and was appointed, 1570, Second Justice of the Province of Munster..

He died about 1589, and was succeeded by his son,

JOHN MEADE, of Ballintubber and of the City of Cork; who, in 1611, made a Deed of Settlement of his estates.

He died in 1629, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

WILLIAM MEADE, of Ballintubber, Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army, aged 17 at his father's death.

His wardship was granted, in 1632, to Thomas Maule, of Dublin.

He wedded Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Robert Travers, Kt, and had, with three daughters, four sons,

JOHN, his heir;
Patrick, Brigadier-General;
Robert;
Dominick;
Jocelyn (Ven), Archdeacon of Cloyne.

Colonel Meade, who raised a troop of horse for the service of CHARLES II, died in 1666, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JOHN MEADE, Knight (1642-1707), of Ballintubber, Attorney-General to JAMES, DUKE OF YORK, who was created a baronet in 1703, designated of Ballintubber, County Cork.

He espoused Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Pierce, 2nd Viscount Ikerrin, and had issue,

William and
James, both died young;
PIERCE;
RICHARD, successive baronets;
Helen; Catherine; Mary; Jane.

Sir John was succeeded by his elder son,

SIR PIERCE MEADE, 2nd Baronet (1693-1711), who died unmarried and in minority, and was succeeded by his brother,

SIR RICHARD MEADE, 3rd Baronet (1697-1744), who married, in 1736, Catherine, second daughter of Henry Prittie, grandfather of Henry, 1st Baron Dunalley, and had an only son,

SIR JOHN MEADE, 4th Baronet (1744-1800), born a few days before his father's death, in 1744, who wedded, in 1765, Theodosia, only daughter and heir of Robert Hawkins Magill, of Gill Hall, County Down, and had issue,

RICHARD, his successor;
Robert, General in the army;
John, Lieutenant-General in the army;
Pierce (Ven), Archdeacon of Dromore;
Edward, killed in Egypt;
Anne; Catherine; Theodosia Sarah Frances; Melicina Adelaide; Rose Maria Arabella Sarah.

Theodosia, Countess of Clanwilliam (Image: Ulster Museum)

Sir John was elevated to the peerage, in 1766, in the dignities of Viscount Clanwilliam (arms at top) and Baron Gillford. 

His lordship was further advanced to an earldom, in 1776, as EARL OF CLANWILLIAM.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

RICHARD, 2nd Earl (1766-1805), who married firstly, in 1793, Caroline, Countess of Thun, daughter of Maria Wilhelmine von Thun und Hohenstein, and had issue,

RICHARD, his successor;
Caroline; Selina.

He wedded secondly, Margaret Irene, daughter of John Sarney, and widow of John Harcourt, of Ankerwycke, and of Molyneux, 1st Baron Shuldham, and died two months later.

His lordship was succeeded by his son,

RICHARD, 3rd Earl (1795-1879), GCH, who married, in 1830, the Lady Elizabeth Herbert, daughter of George, 11th Earl of Pembroke, and had issue,

RICHARD JAMES, his successor;
Robert Henry;
Sidney;
Herbert George Philip;
Selina Catherine.

3rd Earl of Clanwilliam (Image: the National Trust, Uppark)

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

RICHARD JAMES, 4th Earl (1832-1907), GCB KCMG, of Gill Hall, County Down, Admiral of the Fleet, who espoused, in 1867, Elizabeth Henrietta, daughter of Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy, and had issue,

Richard Charles, Lord Gillford (1868-1905);
ARTHUR VESEY, 5th Earl;
Herbert, Admiral in the Royal Navy;
Edward Brabazon;
Katharine; Beatrice; Adelaide Jane; Elizabeth Selina Georgiana.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

ARTHUR VESEY, 5th Earl (1873-1953), MC DL, of Montalto, County Down, who married, in 1909, Muriel Mary Temple, daughter of Russell Maule Stephenson, and had issue,

JOHN CHARLES EDMUND CARSON, his successor;
Mary Anne Selina; Elizabeth Louise Margaret.

His lordship was succeeded by his only son,

JOHN CHARLES EDMUND CARSON, 6th Earl (1914-89), of Montalto, Lord-Lieutenant of County Down, 1975-9.

• Richard Charles Francis Christian Meade, 3rd Earl (1795–1879);

• Richard James Meade, 4th Earl (1832–1907);

• Arthur Vesey Meade, 5th Earl (1873–1953);

• John Charles Edmund Carson Meade, 6th Earl (1914–89);

• John Herbert Meade, 7th Earl (1919–2009);

• Patrick James Meade, 8th Earl (b 1960).

The heir apparent is the present holder's son, John Maximilian Meade, styled Lord Gillford.

*****

I recall seeing the 6th Earl, of Montalto, County Down, at a scout conference in the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, County Down.

Montalto estate had been acquired by the 5th Earl in 1910.

It was sold by the 6th Earl when he retired in 1979 and became part of a business partnership who replanted the demesne in 1986-89.

The house has been in private hands again since 1995.

Clanwilliam arms courtesy of European Heraldry.   First published in February, 2011.