Bessborough Memorials in Derby Cathedral, England

Of the many memorials to the Bessborough family in the mortuary chapel at Fiddown you will not find one to William Ponsonby, the 2nd  Earl of Bessborough, nor his wife Caroline   William who was born in 1704, was the son of Brabazon (created the first Earl of Bessborough in 1739 and a peer of Great Britain).  William according to his memorial in Derby was born in 1704 and married in 1739 Caroline, the eldest daughter of William the 3rd Duke of Devonshire.  At the time of the marriage the Duke of Devonshire was the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1737-1745).  In 1741 the Duke offered William,  and William accepted,  a position as Chief Secretary.  His new father-in-law also recommended him for a place on the Irish Privy Council.  The Duke of Devonshire, or Cavendish family,  are one of the richest and most influential aristocratic families in England; this was an extremely advantageous marriage.  The Duke of Devonshire still owns vast estates; notably in Ireland Lismore Castle, in county Waterford.  In England the Duke of Devonshire owns Chatsworth House and estates in Derbyshire.   It is therefore entirely within reason that William, the 2nd Earl of Bessborough and his wife should have memorials in All Saints Church, Derby, also known as Derby Cathedral,  and situated in the county town of Derbyshire.  The Cavendish family vault is below the south isle; this was originally made for use by the famous Bess of Hardwick, more properly called Elizabeth Talbot,  Countess Shrewsbury who died in 1608 . Her second husband was Sir William Cavendish who then adopted it as the Cavendish burial place.  This tradition ended in 1858 after which date the Cavendish family were buried at Edensor, near Chatsworth in Derbyshire. 
William Ponsonby, 2nd Earl of Bessborough  had an active political life as he was MP for Newtownards, county Down 1725-1727, MP for Kilkenny 1727-58, MP for the Town of Derby, England, 1742-54,  MP for Saltash, England, 1754-56 and MP for Harwich, England,  1756-58.  He had to vacate these seats in parliament when he succeeded his father to the title of Earl of Bessborough in 1758. William was also an active Freemason. He is specifically mentioned in The Dublin Weekly Journal for 13th March 1730/31 as the Master of "a lodge of Free-Masons held at the Yellow Lyon in Warborough Street on 6th March 1731". See www.irishmasonichistory.com

The memorial to the 2nd Earl of Bessborough in Derby Cathedral. 

This Memorial was created by Joseph Nollekens, one of the most famous and most fashionable portrait sculptors of the time. Nollekens was born in London in 1737, the son of a Flemish painter Josef Frans Nollekens.   The inscription reads " In memory of William Ponsonby, Earl of Bessborough,  A Peer and Privy Counsellor of Great Britain and Ireland.  He was born in 1704 and died in 1793.  He was beloved and respected by all. In Liberality and Charity he was surpassed by none.  In 1739 he married Caroline, Daughter of Wm 3rd Duke of Devonshire, By whom he had Catherine married to Auby, Duke of St Albans, Charlotte married to Wm Earl Fitzwilliam and Frederick who succeeded Him". 
According to Burke's Peerage 1893, Catherine married Aubrey 5th Duke of St Albans; she died in 1789.  Charlotte married the William, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam; she died in 1822.  The above William Ponsonby, 2nd Earl of Bessborough died 11th March 1793.  Frederick, his successor, married in 1780 Lady Henrietta Frances Spencer, the 2nd daughter of John, 1st Earl Spencer.

The memorial to Caroline, Countess of Bessborough in Derby Cathedral.

This magnificent memorial to Caroline, Countess of Bessborough was created by Michael Rysbrack. Rysbrack or Rijsbrack, a Flemish sculptor,  was born in Antwerp in 1694.  He arrived in London in 1720 where he rapidly established himself as the leading sculptor, a position he was to hold until the mid 1740s.   After that he remained one of the top three sculptors in Britain until shortly before his death in 1770.  The above figure of Caroline is most beautifully carved.

The inscriptions reads "To the Memory of CAROLINE, Countess of Bessborough in Ireland and Baroness Ponsonby in England.  She was the eldest Daughter of WILLIAM CAVENDISH, third Duke of Devonshire. She married at Chatsworth WILLIAM PONSONBY, eldest son of BRABAZON late Earl of Bessborough by whom she had eleven Children. Viz  Five sons and Six Daughters. Only three of them (whom God preserve) are now living. CATHERINE married to AUBREY BEAUCLERK only son of VERE, Lord Vere Baron of Hanworth in the County of Middlesex. CHARLOTTE married to WILLIAM Earl Fitzwilliam of Milton in the county of Northampton and FREDERICK commonly called Lord Viscount Duncannon. She died on Sunday the twentieth of January 1760 in the forty first Year of her Age. This Monument is only to be considered as an Endeavour to preserve the Memory of a departed Friend and as an Instance of true Affection and Tribute paid by her much afflicted Husband WILLIAM Earl of Bessborough".

The Coat of Arms on the Memorial to the William, 2nd Earl of Bessborough showing his Earl's coronet.

The inscription on the garland reads  "Pro Rege, Lege. Grege" which means "For the King, the Law and the People"

For other Bessborough Memorials in Ireland see our post Fiddown Church, Parish of Fiddown, posted on 7/10/2017.

A link between Grenan Thomastown and Dunkitt Graveyard Kilmacow Co Kilkenny

Dunkitt Graveyard and the Thomple in Grenan Thomastown

The Denn Burial Ground at Dunkitt Kilmacow consists of 3 Oblisks enclosed within  Iron railings.  The first two monuments are inscribed on the East, West and South sides. The third on the East side only.

Oblisk 1
"Here repose the remains of several of the Den family, before the confiscation of their estates by Cromwell and from the 12th century to the 17th century their forefathers were buried at Grennan in this County. On the other side is inscribed the names of the principal persons of the family interred here.
Requiescant In Pace Amen RSD EREGIT"

"The following have succeeded each other in direct descent Theobald Den of Mullinabro personal victim as was his kinsmen in Grennan of the confiscation of Cromwell. That injustice, nor adversity its consequences, never shook his steadfast principles.  He lived and died in the faith of his ancestors.  Attached to this country and Loyal to his King.  His beloved wife is also interred here.
'Blessed are they that suffer persecution for Justice sake for their is the Kingdom of Heaven Matt V. 10 '.  Laurence Den of Melville, eldest son of the precedin.  He inherited his fathers virtues and like him also was faithful subject to a Dynasty which seldom repressed the wrongs of its friends.
Elizabeth, his wife born Archdekin her name was held in Benediction by the poor.

"Nicholas, son of the last named, died November 1746 a model of edifying piety.  Eleanor his wife, neè De Frayne died March 1763.  Laurence Den of Garrandarra, eldest son of the the preceding, died 13th December 1812, aged 76. An upright virile character an humble Chrisitan Mary Anne, his first born Strange, died 1761, aged 20.  Mary, his second wife born O'Shee, died 1801 aged 66.  The unobstrusive practice of every womanly virtue distinguished her well spent life.  Besides the foregoing heads of the family many of their younger children are also buried here. De PROFUNDIS"

Oblisk 2
Erected by Nicholas Agustus Den of Santa Barbara California. To the memory of his beloved father Emmanuel Den of Garrandara, Co Kilkenny, who died April 20th 1840 aged 72 years.  Deceased was the eldest son of laurence Den of Garrandara.  REQUIESCANT IN PACE"


Oblisk 3
" In special memory of Catherine Den born O'Shee the beloved wife of Emanuel Den of Garrandarra ESQ.,  died November 4th 1860 aged 73 yeqars. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Matthew V. 5. Through many tribulation we must enter into the Kingdom  of God
 Act  X1V.21  Give her O Lord eternal rest and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.  Their eldest surviving son Richard S. Den M.D., California erected this monument to her revered name so well remembered in his heart