Louisa Jane (née Russell), Duchess of Abercorn
1880s
She still looks regal after fourteen children. It's fitting that she is the great great great grandmother of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Louisa was the sixth child and second daughter of John Russell, sixth Duke of Bedford and his wife, Lady Georgiana Gordon. Lady Louisa and James Hamilton were married at Gordon Castle (her grandfather's estate) on October 25, 1832.
As I mentioned, Louisa and James had fourteen children and they had fascinating lives as well.
Lady Louisa Jane Montagu Douglas Scott
William Henry Walter Montagu Douglas Scott
Their third child, Louisa Jane (Jr.?) was Mistress of the Robes for Queen Victoria and Queen Alexandria in addition to being Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry. She was married to William Henry Walter Montagu Douglas Scott and eventually became the grandmother of Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester and great great grandmother of Sarah, Duchess of York.
After three daughters, Louisa and James welcomed a son (named James) in 1838. James (the second) was well educated and eventually held his masters degree from Oxford. He was a very busy man, holding the titles of "Lord of the Bedchamber" and "Groom of the Stole" to the Prince of Wales, embarking on at least two diplomatic missions, becoming Lord Lieutenant of County Donegal, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, Chairman of the British South Africa Company, Knight of the Garter and father to nine children.
Louisa's daughter Albertha Frances Anne married George Spencer-Churchill in 1859. He divorced her in 1883, shortly after he inherited the title of Duke of Marborough upon the death of his father. Albertha's lovely mother-in-law described her as "stupid, pious and dull." I think Louisa should have smacked the tactless Lady Frances Anne. (Evidently she didn't like son Randolph's wife either. Never mind that Randolph and Jennie were the parents of Winston Churchill.)
Daughter Maud Evelyn married Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marquess of Landowne and was the vice-regal consort of Canada from 1883 to 1888 and vicereine of India from 1888 to 1894. The Marchioness was a british courtier, Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Alexandra and Extra Lady from 1910 until 1925. During the first World War, Maud set up the Officer's Family Fund and she and Henry gave up their home to be used as it's headquarters.
Lansdowne Home, 1800s
Frederick Spencer Hamilton was the sixth son of Louisa and James. Frederick was the editor of the Pall Mall magazine for four years. The Pall Mall was a monthly literary magazine that included poetry, short stories, serialized fiction and commentaries. While serving as an aide-de-camp ito the Governor General of Canada in 1887, Frederick was the first person to introduce skiing to Canada. He never married and never had children.
Louisa and James had nine other children, two of which died young (Ronald was eighteen and Cosmo was a day old.) Lord Ernest was an author, Lord Claud served in Benjamin Disraeli's first ministry.
Lady Katherine died at the age of 36 after having four children with her husband, the fourth Earl of Mount Edgcumbe.
Lady Harriet married the second Earl of Lichfield and had nine children, and Lady Beatrix married the second Earl of Durham. They had thirteen children, including a set of twins. Beatrix died at the age of 35, three days after the birth of her son, Francis.
No comments:
Post a Comment