Baron Farnham facts for kids
The title of Baron Farnham is a special noble rank in Ireland. It's like being a lord, and it means the person holds a high position in society. The title comes from a place called Farnham in County Cavan. This title was first created in 1756 for a man named John Maxwell. He used to represent Cavan Borough in the old Irish House of Commons, which was like the parliament for Ireland back then.
John Maxwell's son, who became the second Baron, was given even higher titles: Viscount Farnham in 1760 and Earl of Farnham in 1763. These were also Irish noble titles. However, he didn't have any children, so when he died in 1779, these higher titles ended.
His brother then became the third Baron. He was also given the titles of Viscount Farnham (in 1781) and Earl of Farnham (in 1785) again. His son, the second Earl, was a special member of the House of Lords (part of the British Parliament) from 1816 to 1823, known as an Irish Representative Peer. But like the first Earl, he also had no children. So, when he passed away in 1823, the titles of viscount and earl ended once more.
The barony then went to his first cousin, who became the fifth Baron. This Lord Farnham also served as a Member of Parliament for County Cavan and was an Irish Representative Peer in the House of Lords from 1825 to 1838. His nephew, the seventh Baron, also represented County Cavan and was an Irish Representative Peer. Sadly, Lord Farnham and his wife died in a train accident in 1868.
After that, the title passed to his younger brother, the eighth Baron, and then to another brother, the ninth Baron. This ninth Baron also inherited another old family title, the Maxwell baronetcy of Calderwood, in 1885. The title then went to his nephew, the tenth Baron, who was a Lord Lieutenant of County Cavan (a representative of the monarch). The current holder of the title, as of 2014, is the thirteenth Baron, who lives in Oxfordshire, Great Britain.
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The Maxwell Baronets of Calderwood
The Maxwell baronetcy of Calderwood is another old noble title, created in Scotland in 1627. A baronet is a bit like a knight, but the title can be passed down through the family. The first baronet was Sir James Maxwell. Over time, this title also passed through different family members. Eventually, in 1885, the ninth Baron Farnham (who we mentioned earlier) also became the eleventh Baronet of Calderwood, bringing these two family titles together.
Farnham's Legacy in Cavan
The Farnham family is still remembered in Cavan town. One of the main streets is called Farnham Street. There's also a hotel named The Farnham Arms, which has the family's special crest and motto, Je suis pret, meaning I am ready, above its door. The family's main home was Farnham House, located near Cavan in County Cavan.
Barons Farnham (since 1756)
Here are some of the people who have held the title of Baron Farnham:
- John Maxwell, 1st Baron Farnham (died 1759)
- Robert Maxwell, 2nd Baron Farnham (died 1779) - He was also made an Earl.
- Barry Maxwell, 3rd Baron Farnham (died 1800) - He was also made an Earl.
- John James Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham (1760–1823)
- John Maxwell-Barry, 5th Baron Farnham (1767–1838)
- Henry Maxwell, 6th Baron Farnham (1774–1838)
- Henry Maxwell, 7th Baron Farnham (1799–1868)
- Somerset Richard Maxwell, 8th Baron Farnham (1803–1884)
- James Pierce Maxwell, 9th Baron Farnham (1813–1896)
- Somerset Henry Maxwell, 10th Baron Farnham (1849–1900)
- Arthur Kenlis Maxwell, 11th Baron Farnham (1879–1957)
- Barry Owen Somerset Maxwell, 12th Baron Farnham (1931–2001)
- Simon Kenlis Maxwell, 13th Baron Farnham (born 1933)
The person who is expected to inherit the title next is the current Baron's son, Hon. Robin Somerset Maxwell (born 1965). His son, James David Somerset Maxwell (born 1996), is next in line after that.
Images for kids
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The grave of Sir Hugh Bates Maxwell, 9th Baronet.
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The grave of Sir William Maxwell, 10th Baronet.
