Jean, Lady Kennedy facts for kids

Jean, Lady Kennedy (died 1767) was an important Scottish noblewoman. She was the daughter of Captain Andrew Douglas and the wife of Sir John Kennedy, who was the 2nd Baronet of Culzean in Ayrshire.

Besides raising her own twenty children, Lady Kennedy also adopted a boy named Scipio Kennedy. Scipio was an African slave who had been brought from Guinea when he was a child.

Early Life and Family

Jean Douglas married John Kennedy on March 28, 1705. John was the future leader of the Kennedy family of Culzean. Their first child was born in November 1706. Sadly, many of their children passed away when they were very young.

Surviving Children

Lady Kennedy and Sir John had several children who grew up and became important figures. These included:

• Sir John Kennedy of Culzean, 3rd Baronet (died 1744)
• Thomas Kennedy, 9th Earl of Cassillis (1726-1775)
• David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassillis (died 1792)
• Elizabeth Kennedy, who married Sir John Cathcart, 2nd Baronet. They had children together.
• Anne Kennedy (born around 1743), who married John Blair of Dunskey and also had children.

Family Titles and Estates

Their second son, Thomas, became the head of the family after his older brother died in 1744. He also inherited the title of Earl of Cassillis in 1759. In 1760, a court decided that he had the right to the family's lands. Then, in 1762, the House of Lords officially gave him the Earl title. When David Kennedy passed away in 1792, the family's baronetcy (a special title of nobility) ended. However, the earldom went to a distant relative.

Life at Culzean Castle

The Kennedy family had connections to the Jacobite movement, which supported the return of the Stuart kings to the throne. The family was also known for its involvement in certain trade activities. This continued even after the Earl of Cassillis title became part of the family.

Lady Kennedy is said to have moved out of Culzean Castle in 1753. This was because she did not agree with her son's plans to make big changes and improvements to the castle and the surrounding land.

Scipio Kennedy's Story

Scipio Kennedy was eventually granted his freedom by the family. Even after gaining his freedom, he chose to stay with the family and worked as Lady Kennedy's personal helper. When Lady Kennedy passed away, she left him some property in her will. Scipio continued to work for her sons after her death, showing his loyalty to the family.