Edward Chichester, 4th Marquess of Donegall facts for kids

Edward Chichester, 4th Marquess of Donegall (born 11 June 1799 – died 20 January 1889) was a special kind of church leader who later in his life became an important Irish noble. For many years, from 1831 to 1883, people knew him as The Very Rev. Lord Edward Chichester. He was the son of the 2nd Marquess of Donegall.

Edward Chichester was born in Great Cumberland Place, a part of Westminster in London. He went to famous schools like Eton and Trinity College, Dublin (TCD). He finished his studies at TCD in 1822, earning a degree called a Bachelor of Arts (BA).

Edward's Life and Church Role

Because Edward was a younger son in his family, he chose a career in the church. He became a minister in the Church of Ireland. This is a Christian church, similar to the Church of England.

Becoming a Dean

From 1831 to 1871, Edward served as the Dean of Raphoe. A Dean is a senior leader in a church, in charge of a cathedral or a group of churches. He held this important position for 40 years.

Unexpected Inheritance

In 1853, something important happened. His older brother's only son, Frederick Richard Chichester, who was known as the Earl of Belfast, sadly passed away. Frederick was young and did not have any children. This meant that Edward, Lord Edward Chichester, became the next in line to inherit the family's noble title, the Marquess of Donegall. He was called the "heir presumptive."

In October 1883, when Edward was 84 years old, his older brother passed away. Edward then officially became the 4th Marquess of Donegall. He held this important title for six years. He died in 1889 in St Leonards-on-Sea, and he was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery in London.

Edward's Family Life

On 21 September 1821, Edward Chichester married Amelia Spread Deane O'Grady. She was the daughter of Henry Deane O'Grady. Edward and Amelia had five children together.

Their Children

• George Augustus Hamilton (born 1822 – died 1904)
• Annabella Augusta, who married the 9th Earl Ferrers in 1844. She was the mother of the 10th Earl Ferrers.
• Dorcas Juliana Fanny
• Henry Fitzwarine (born 1834)
• Adolphus John Spencer Churchill (born 1836 – died 1901). He married Mary, the daughter of Robert Peel Dawson. Adolphus was the father of Robert Chichester and the grandfather of Baron Moyola, who was the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland from 1969 to 1971. He was also the grandfather of Sir Robin Chichester-Clark.

Family Estates

A large part of the Donegall family's land and property was not tied to the main noble title. This meant that when the 3rd Marquess died in 1883, these parts of the estate were inherited by his only surviving child, Harriet Augusta Anna Seymourina. She was married to the 8th Earl of Shaftesbury.