John Bowes, 10th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne
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John Bowes, 10th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne
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| Born | 14 April 1769 |
| Died | 3 July 1820 (aged 51) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Title | 10th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Milner |
| Children | John Bowes |
| Parent(s) | John Bowes, 9th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne Mary Bowes, Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne |
John Bowes (born April 14, 1769 – died July 3, 1820) was a Scottish nobleman. He held the important title of the 10th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. His family was well-known in Scotland.
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John Bowes: A Scottish Nobleman
John Bowes was the eldest son of the 9th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. His mother, Mary Bowes, was a writer. She wrote a play called "The Siege of Jerusalem."
John became the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne when his father passed away. This happened on March 7, 1776, when John was still a child.
Serving in Parliament
As an Earl, John Bowes had a role in the government. He served as a Scottish Representative Peer. This meant he represented Scotland in the House of Lords in London.
He held this position for two periods. First, from 1796 to 1806. Then again, from 1807 to 1812.
A Special Marriage
John Bowes had a son named John Bowes. His son's mother was Mary Milner. She was not from a noble family.
John Bowes wanted his son to inherit his titles and lands. To make this possible, he married Mary Milner. This marriage happened on July 2, 1820. Sadly, John Bowes passed away just one day later, on July 3, 1820.
In his will, John Bowes named his son, John, as his main heir. He left his English properties to his son. He also arranged for Mary to receive money each year.
The Inheritance Battle
After John Bowes's death, a big legal fight began. The question was whether his son, John, could legally inherit the main title. This was because John was born before his parents were married.
Under Scottish law, marrying the mother after a child's birth could make the child legitimate. However, the courts looked at where John Bowes and Mary Milner lived. They mainly lived in England.
English law at the time did not allow children born before marriage to become legitimate through a later marriage. Because of this, the courts decided that John's son could not inherit the main title.
Who Inherited What?
After five years of court battles, a decision was made. John's younger brother, Thomas Lyon-Bowes, 11th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, inherited the main title. He also received the Scottish estates.
John's son, John Bowes, inherited his father's English estates. These included places like Gibside, Streatlam Castle, and St Paul's Walden Bury.
John Bowes, the son, later became famous. He founded the Bowes Museum, a well-known art museum. He married twice but did not have any children. When he passed away, his wealth and properties went back to his uncle's family. This reunited the family's English and Scottish estates.
