Hugh Fortescue (1665–1719) facts for kids
Hugh Fortescue (born June 2, 1665 – died December 1719) was an important British landowner and politician. He lived in places like Filleigh and Weare Giffard Hall in Devon, and Ebrington Manor in Gloucestershire. Hugh Fortescue was a member of the Whig political party. He served in the English and British Parliament from 1689 to 1713.
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Who Was Hugh Fortescue?
Hugh Fortescue was the oldest son of Arthur Fortescue (1622–1693). Arthur was from Penwarne in Mevagissey, Cornwall, and also from Filleigh in Devon. Hugh's mother was Barbara Elford. She was the daughter of John Elford from Sheepstor in Devon.
His Time in Politics
Hugh Fortescue became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Tregony in 1689. An MP is someone elected to represent people in Parliament. He later represented other areas too.
He was an MP for Grampound in 1695. Then, he represented Truro in 1698. He went back to being an MP for Tregony in 1701.
Later, he was an MP for Mitchell in 1705 and again in 1708. His last time as an MP was for Lostwithiel in 1710. He was not always present in Parliament. He was even jailed twice for not showing up.
His Marriages and Children
Hugh Fortescue married two times.
First Marriage
His first marriage was on October 19, 1692. He married Bridget Boscawen (who died in 1708). Bridget was the daughter of Hugh Boscawen. Her mother was Margaret Clinton. Margaret was one of the people who could inherit the Barony of Clinton title. This happened after Edward Clinton, 5th Earl of Lincoln, died in 1692.
Bridget was the only one of her parents' many children to live longer than her father. She brought a lot of money to the marriage. This helped to make Hugh Fortescue even richer.
Hugh and Bridget had four children:
- Hugh Fortescue, 1st Earl Clinton (1696–1751): He became a Baron in 1721. In 1746, he was made Baron Fortescue of Castle Hill and Earl of Clinton. He rebuilt his family home at Filleigh into a grand mansion called Castle Hill. He did not have any sons. So, when he died, his earldom ended. However, his younger half-brother, Matthew Fortescue, 2nd Baron Fortescue, inherited the Barony of Fortescue.
- Boscawen Fortescue: He never married.
- Theophilus Fortescue: He never married.
- Margaret Fortescue (died March 14, 1760): She never married.
Second Marriage
After 1708, Hugh Fortescue married Lucy Aylmer. She was the daughter of Matthew Aylmer, 1st Baron Aylmer (around 1650–1720).
At his home, Ebrington Manor House, there is a stone carving above the entrance. It shows the Fortescue family symbol combined with the Aylmer family symbol. This shows the marriage between Hugh and Lucy.
Hugh and Lucy had two more children:
- Matthew Fortescue, 2nd Baron Fortescue (1719–1785): In 1751, he inherited the Barony of Fortescue. This happened after his older half-brother, Hugh Fortescue, 1st Earl Clinton, died without male children. Matthew's oldest son was Hugh Fortescue, 1st Earl Fortescue (1753–1841), who lived at Castle Hill.
- Lucy Fortescue (died 1747): She married George Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton (1709–1773).
Images for kids
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A memorial statue to Lucy Lyttelton (who was Lucy Fortescue before marriage) at St John the Baptist Church, Hagley. She died in 1747 and was the first wife of George Lyttelton.
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An inscription at St John the Baptist Church, Hagley, for Lucy Lyttelton (née Fortescue).
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An information panel next to the statue of Lucy Lyttelton (née Fortescue) at St John the Baptist Church, Hagley.
