Walter Aston, 4th Lord Aston of Forfar facts for kids
Walter Aston, 4th Lord Aston of Forfar (born 1660 or 1661, died April 4, 1748) was an important figure in his family. He was the oldest son of Walter Aston, 3rd Lord Aston of Forfar. His mother was Eleanor Blount.
About Walter Aston
In 1714, Walter Aston became the Lord Aston of Forfar. This was a special title in the peerage of Scotland. Even though the title was Scottish, the Aston family lived in Staffordshire, England. Their family home was called Tixall.
Family Life and Beliefs
Walter Aston married Lady Mary Howard. She was the sister of two important dukes, Thomas and Edward Howard. Walter and Mary had five sons and six daughters. Sadly, most of their children passed away when they were very young.
Lady Mary died in 1723 while giving birth to their eleventh child, James. James would later become the next Lord Aston. Two of their daughters, Margaret and Catherine, lived to be adults. Margaret became a nun. Catherine married Edward Weld from Lulworth Castle.
The Aston family, like the Howards, were strong Roman Catholics. At that time, being Catholic could be difficult in England. There was a period of fear called the Popish Plot. During this time, Walter's father and uncle were put in the Tower of London. They were held there because of their Catholic faith. However, they were never put on trial and were later set free.
A Family Portrait
The 4th Lord Aston asked an artist named Richard van Bleeck to paint a picture of his family. The painting shows him, his wife, and seven of their children. It's interesting because the painting was finished two years after Lady Aston had passed away. This painting still exists today.
Walter Aston, 4th Lord Aston, died on April 4, 1748. His fifth son, James, was the only one still living. James then became the 5th Lord Aston of Forfar.
