William Bellenden-Ker, 4th Duke of Roxburghe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duke of Roxburghe
|
|
|---|---|
| Preceded by | John Ker, 3rd Duke of Roxburghe |
| Succeeded by | James Innes-Ker, 5th Duke of Roxburghe |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Bellenden
20 October 1728 |
| Died | 23 October 1804 (aged 76) |
| Spouses |
Margaret Burroughs
(m. 1750, died)Mary Bechinne
(m. 1789) |
| Relations | John Bellenden, 2nd Lord Bellenden (grandfather) |
| Parents | William Bellenden Jacomina Farmer Bellenden |
William Bellenden-Ker was a Scottish nobleman who became the 4th Duke of Roxburghe. He was also known as the 7th Lord Bellenden. He was born on October 20, 1728, and passed away on October 23, 1805.
Contents
William's Early Life
William Bellenden-Ker was born in 1728. He was baptized on October 20, 1728, in Ashton under Hill, England. His parents were Lieutenant Colonel William Bellenden and Jacomina Bellenden. They got married in 1726. William was their oldest son.
His younger sister was Jacomina Bellenden. She married Thomas Orby Hunter in 1749. Thomas was a Member of Parliament for Winchelsea.
William's father was the third son of John Ker. John Ker was the 2nd Lord Bellenden of Broughton. He inherited this title from a distant cousin.
Becoming a Duke
In 1757, William became a captain in the 25th Regiment of Foot. This was a military unit.
In 1797, William's cousin, Robert Bellenden, passed away. Robert had no children. So, William became the 7th Lord Bellenden of Broughton. He also received an annual payment of £250, just like the Lords before him.
In 1804, another cousin, John Ker, the 3rd Duke of Roxburghe, died without children. This meant some of his titles, like Earl Ker, ended. William, who was 75 years old, then became the 4th Duke of Roxburghe. He also inherited all the other family titles. He also became the owner of Floors Castle. This large castle is located in Scotland, by the River Tweed.
William's Family Life
William Bellenden-Ker was married two times. His first marriage was on December 7, 1750. He married Margaret Burroughs. She was the daughter of Reverend Dr. Burroughs. He was a chaplain at Hampton Court Palace.
After Margaret passed away, William married Mary Bechinne. They were married on June 29, 1789. Mary was the daughter of Captain Benjamin Bechinne.
William Bellenden-Ker passed away on October 23, 1805. He did not have any children who lived. Less than a year after his death, his widow, Mary, married John Manners Tollemache.
What Happened to the Titles?
When William died, the title of Lord Bellenden of Broughton ended. There was a big disagreement about who should become the next Duke of Roxburghe. This was called the "Roxburghe cause."
In 1812, the House of Lords made a decision. They decided that a distant cousin, James Innes-Ker, would become the 5th Duke of Roxburghe.
Roxburghe Family Tree
This family tree shows how the Earls and Dukes of Roxburghe are related. It helps to see how the titles were passed down through the family.
