John Rawdon, 1st Earl of Moira facts for kids

John Rawdon, 1st Earl of Moira (born March 17, 1720 – died June 20, 1793) was an important Irish nobleman. He was known by different titles during his life. From 1724 to 1750, he was called Sir John Rawdon, Bt (which means Baronet). Later, from 1750 to 1762, he was known as The Lord Rawdon before he became an Earl.

Early Life and Titles

John Rawdon was the only son of Sir John Rawdon, 3rd Baronet. His mother was Dorothy. He became a Baronet himself in February 1724 when he was only three years old, after his father passed away. In 1750, he was given the title of Baron Rawdon. This made him a member of the Peerage of Ireland, which is a group of noble titles in Ireland. He received an even higher honor in 1761 when he was made the Earl of Moira. This was also part of the Irish peerage.

His Family Life

Lord Moira was married three times and had several children.

First Marriage

On November 10, 1741, he married Helena Perceval. They had three daughters:

• Lady Helena Rawdon, who married Stephen Moore, 1st Earl Mountcashell. They had children.
• Lady Catherine Rawdon, born on May 27, 1744. She married Joseph Henry.
• Lady Dorothea Rawdon, born on October 17, 1745.

Helena passed away in June 1746.

Second Marriage

Lord Moira married Anne Hill on December 23, 1746. They did not have any children together. Anne passed away in August 1751.

Third Marriage

His third marriage was to Elizabeth Hastings on February 26, 1752. Elizabeth was also a noblewoman, known as the 16th Baroness Botreaux. They were cousins. They had five children:

• Lady Selina Frances Rawdon (died 1827). She married George Forbes, 6th Earl of Granard, and they had children.
• Lady Charlotte Adelaide Constantia Rawdon (died 1834). She married Hamilton Fitzgerald. A French prince, Antoine Philippe d'Orléans, wanted to marry Lady Charlotte in 1800. However, the future King Louis XVIII of France did not allow the marriage.
• Lady Anne Elizabeth Rawdon (1753–1813). She married Thomas Brudenell-Bruce, 1st Earl of Ailesbury, but they had no children.

John Theophilus Rawdon, painted by John Trotter in 1776.

• Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings (1754–1826). He became a very important figure later on.
• Hon. John Theophilus Rawdon (1756–1808). He was the father of Elizabeth, Lady William Russell.

Later Life

Lord Moira passed away in June 1793 when he was 73 years old. His eldest son from his third marriage, Francis, took over his titles. Francis had already been made Baron Rawdon in 1783 and later became the Marquess of Hastings in 1816. The Countess of Moira, Elizabeth, passed away in April 1808.