William Thomas Nugent, 5th Baron Nugent of Riverston facts for kids

William Thomas Nugent, 5th Baron Nugent of Riverston (born September 29, 1773 – died September 6, 1851), was an important person in Irish history. He came from a noble family and was known for trying to claim a special title.

Who Was William Thomas Nugent?

William Thomas Nugent was part of a very old and important family in Ireland. He was a great-grandson of Richard Nugent, 2nd Earl of Westmeath, who lived a long time ago. His father was Anthony Nugent, 4th Baron Nugent of Riverston. When his father passed away in 1814, William Thomas started using the title "5th Baron Nugent of Riverston."

What is a Baron?

A Baron is a noble title, like a special rank, that was passed down in families. It meant someone had a high social standing and often owned land. William Thomas Nugent believed he should have this title after his father.

Claiming a Title

In July 1839, William Thomas Nugent officially tried to claim the title of Baron Nugent of Riverston. This was a big deal, and the House of Lords in England looked into it. The House of Lords is like a very old part of the British Parliament, where important decisions were made. A special group there, called the Privileges Committee, looked at his claim. They decided to put the issue on hold and did not make a final decision at that time.

The Next Generation

Even though William Thomas Nugent's claim was put on hold, his family's noble line continued. His oldest son, Anthony (who lived from 1805 to 1879), later became the 9th Earl of Westmeath. He inherited this even higher title from a relative, George Nugent, 1st Marquess of Westmeath. This meant that a very important title stayed within the Nugent family.

William Thomas Nugent's Family

William Thomas Nugent married a woman named Catherine Bellew. She was from a place called Mount Bellew in County Galway, Ireland. Together, they had three children:

• Jane Olivia Nugent (died December 27, 1842). She married a military officer named Lt.Colonel James FitzGerald Kenny.
• Anthony Francis Nugent, 6th Baron Nugent of Riverston (born November 1, 1805 – died May 12, 1879). He was the son who later became the 9th Earl of Westmeath.
• Michael William Bellew Nugent (born August 28, 1808). He lived in Earl's Park, County Galway, and married Emily Morrall on February 29, 1852.