Mary, Countess of Harold facts for kids
Lady Mary Tufton (born July 6, 1701, died February 19, 1785) was an English noblewoman. She was known for her kindness and for helping many people. She spent her life supporting charities and improving the lives of those in need.
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Early Life and Family
Mary was the youngest child of Thomas Tufton, 6th Earl of Thanet. Her father was a politician and also very generous. He was known for giving a lot to charity. In his will, he chose Mary to help manage the money and projects he set up for charities. One of these projects was a school for children who were poor.
Supporting the Foundling Hospital
Mary married Anthony Grey, Earl of Harold, on February 17, 1718. Sadly, he died young at age 27 on July 21, 1723.
Later, Mary became part of a group of important women. They signed a special request to King George II. This request was from Thomas Coram, who wanted to start the Foundling Hospital. This hospital was a safe place for babies and children who might be abandoned. Mary signed the petition on November 6, 1733.
She joined other women in supporting new, organized ways to help people in need. A writer named Elizabeth Einberg said that these women did more than just lend their important social standing. They also showed the kind and caring side of such a project. This helped make the Foundling Hospital one of the most popular charities of its time.
Continuing Her Charitable Work
Mary married John Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Gower on May 16, 1736. Her father's will had said that if she remarried, she would no longer manage his charities. However, by the time of her second marriage, she was the only person left to manage them. She asked for and received special permission to continue her important role.
She gave money to other charities too. This included almshouses in Vauxhall for seven poor widows. Almshouses are homes for people in need. Mary had these homes fixed up. She also bought shares to make sure the widows would have money coming in regularly. She also supported a school for poor children in Brighton, Sussex. Even 140 years after she died, these charities were still called 'the Countess of Gower's Charity'.
Mary also provided extra money for church leaders in several churches. These churches were in Lancashire and Cumbria. Because of her generosity, she was remembered as "that great friend of poor livings."
Later Life
When people heard about her marriage to John Leveson-Gower, one person said he was lucky. They said he got a woman with great understanding and a lot of money. At that time, Mary had £2000 from her first marriage. This was a very large amount of money.
Mary and John Leveson-Gower had two children together. Their younger son became Rear-Admiral John Leveson-Gower. Mary died on February 19, 1785, when she was 83 years old.
