David Stewart Ker facts for kids

David Stewart Ker (born November 1816 – died 8 October 1878) was an important figure in Ireland. He was a wealthy landowner and a politician. This means he owned large areas of land and also helped make decisions for the country as a Member of Parliament.

Early Life and Family

David Stewart Ker came from a well-known family. His father, David Guardi Ker, was also a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is a person elected to represent a group of people in the country's government. David's father represented areas like Athlone and Downpatrick. David's mother was Selina Sarah. Her father was the first Marquess of Londonderry, a very important noble. David also had an older brother, Richard Ker, who was also an MP for Downpatrick.

A Landowner's Life

David Stewart Ker was part of the landed gentry. This term describes families who owned a lot of land and were usually quite wealthy and influential. When his father passed away in 1844, David inherited large estates. These included properties in Montalto and Portavo, near Ballynahinch. Owning these estates gave him a lot of power and responsibility in his local area.

Roles in the Community

Besides being a landowner, David Stewart Ker took on several important roles. He served as a magistrate, which means he was a local official who dealt with minor legal cases. He was also a deputy lieutenant, helping the main representative of the King or Queen in the county. In 1852, he was the High Sheriff of County Down. He also became the High Sheriff of Antrim in 1857. These roles involved keeping law and order and helping with local government.

Political Career

David Stewart Ker was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) several times. He represented the area of Downpatrick from 1841 to 1847. Later, he served as an MP for Downpatrick again from 1859 to 1867. He also represented the larger area of County Down from 1852 to 1857. As an MP, he would have helped make laws and decisions for the people he represented in the United Kingdom's Parliament.

Family Life

David Stewart Ker was married twice. His first wife was Anna Dorothea. She was the daughter of Hans Blackwood, the 3rd Baron Dufferin and Claneboye. David and Anna had twelve children together. After Anna passed away, David married Caroline Persse from Galway.

Later Life and Legacy

David Stewart Ker passed away on 8 October 1878. He was buried in the Magheradrool Church of Ireland graveyard. His eldest son, Alfred David Ker, first took over the family estates. However, after Alfred, the estates eventually passed to another one of David's sons, named Richard Ker.