Frances Venables-Vernon, Lady Vernon Explained
Frances Margaret Venables-Vernon, Baroness Vernon (Lawrance; 11 July 1861 – 23 June 1940) was an American heiress who married into the British aristocracy.
Early life
She was the daughter of Francis Cooper Lawrance (1829–1911) and Frances Adelaide (Garner) Lawrance (1835–1908), of New York City.[1] Among her siblings were Francis C. Lawrance Jr. (son-in-law of banker Charles D. Lanier and brother-in-law of John Jacob Astor IV), Thomas Garner Lawrance (who died aged 21), and William Garner Lawrance.[2]
Her paternal grandparents were Thomas Lawrance and Margaret Lawrence (Ireland) Lawrance. Her maternal grandparents were Thomas Garner of England and Frances Mathilda (Thorne) Garner.[3] Among her nieces and nephews were Charles Lanier Lawrance,[4] Kitty Lawrance (wife of W. Averell Harriman, the Governor of New York),[5] and Frances Alice Willing Lawrance (wife of Prince Andrzej Poniatowski, a son of Prince André Poniatowski).[6] [7] [8]
From her mother, she inherited two trusts which, as of 1922, aggregated to more than $300,000 and a third interest in a residuary estate, securities which cost $282,787 (when purchased), $33,520 in cash, and an $37,486 interest in real estate.
Personal life
On 14 July 1885, Frances married George Venables-Vernon, 7th Baron Vernon at St George's, Hanover Square in London.[9] He was the son and heir of Augustus Venables-Vernon, 6th Baron Vernon, and his wife Lady Harriet Frances Maria Anson (a daughter of Thomas Anson, 1st Earl of Lichfield). Lord Vernon had succeeded his father in the barony in 1883, when he inherited around of land in Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire.[1] Together, they were the parents of:[10]
- Hon. Frances Lawrance Venables-Vernon (b. 1886), who married Maurice Raoul-Duval of the Château de Marolles in 1910.[11] After he was killed in action in 1916, she married Lt. Jean de Kermaignant in 1918.[10]
- George Francis Augustus Venables-Vernon, 8th Baron Vernon (1888–1915), who died, unmarried, from illness contracted while on service in Gallipoli.[12]
- Francis Lawrance William Venables-Vernon, 9th Baron Vernon (1889–1963),[13] who married Violet Miriam Nightingale Clay, daughter of Col. Charles Herbert Clay and Violet Harriet Nightingale (a daughter of Sir Henry Nightingale, 13th Baronet), in 1915.[10]
Lord Vernon died in December 1898, aged 44,[14] and was succeeded in the barony by their eldest son, George. Lady Vernon, was declared incompetent in 1910 and spent the rest of her life living in Pau, France,[15] where she died on 23 June 1940.[1] [16]
Legacy
In 1883, Frances had her portrait painted by Jules Joseph Lefebvre. The portrait was transferred to the National Trust through the National Land Fund in 1967 when her grandson, John Lawrance Venables-Vernon, 10th Baron Vernon, gifted the Vernon family seat, Sudbury Hall to the National Trust.[17]
Notes and References
- Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990,
- Book: University . Yale . Obituary Record of Graduates of Yale University ... Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Alumni . 1910 . . 395 . 4 October 2023 . en.
- Book: Weeks . Lyman Horace . Prominent Families of New York: Being an Account in Biographical Form of Individuals and Families Distinguished as Representatives of the Social, Professional and Civic Life of New York City . 1898 . Historical Company . 560 . 4 October 2023 . en.
- News: C.L. LAWRANCE, 67, AN INVENTOR, DIES; Developed Wright Whirlwind Engine That Powered Noted Distance Plane Flights . 16 July 2018 . . June 25, 1950 . en.
- News: Staff. MISS LAWRANCE TO WED W. A. HARRIMAN Romance in Match of Late Railroad Magnate's Son and C. Lanier's Granddaughter. FIANCEE A SPORTS DEVOTEE Just Recovered from Injury Received While Horseback Riding with the Young Financier.. 7 April 2016. The New York Times. July 3, 1915.
- News: Staff. Frances Lawrance Asks 160,000-Franc Allowance to Wed Prince Poniatowski. 7 April 2016. The New York Times. December 5, 1919.
- News: MME. PONIATOWSKA SEEKS MORE INCOME Referee Recommends Additional $19,000 Grant from Francis Lawrence Fund. BRIDE OF FRENCH OFFICER His Means small and She Wishes to Open a House in Paris. . 16 July 2018 . . March 7, 1920.
- News: MISS LAWRANCE WEDS PRINCE'S SON Daughter of Mrs. Francis C. Lawrance of New York Marries Andre Poniatowski. CEREMONY HELD IN PARIS Bride is Sister of Baroness Ribblesdale, Once the Wife of the late Colonel John Jacob Astor . 16 July 2018 . . December 29, 1919.
- News: MARRIED -- Vernon Lawrence . 24 March 2023 . . 15 August 1885.
- Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003, volume 3, page 3999.
- News: TIMES . Special Cable to THE NEW YORK . MISS VERNON TO MARRY.; Engagement of Lord Vernon's Sister to Raoul Duval Announced. . 24 March 2023 . . 30 January 1910.
- News: BARON VERNON DEAD.; Captain of Derbyshire Yeomanry Was Once in Diplomatic Service. . 24 March 2023 . . 12 November 1915.
- News: Lord Vernon Dies at 73 . 24 March 2023 . . 20 March 1963 . 25.
- News: BARON VERNON IS DEAD.; He Married Miss Frances Lawrence of New York in 1885. . 24 March 2023 . . 16 December 1898.
- News: QUESTIONS ACCOUNTS OF VERNON ESTATE; Gnuardian Holds Lord Vernon Had No Power to Disburse $37,240 for His Mother. ASKS FOR SPECIFICATIONS Declares Court Order Contains No Provisions for Making Expenditures. . 5 October 2023 . . 20 June 1922.
- News: WILL OF LADY VERNON . 24 March 2023 . . 4 November 1940 . 1.
- Web site: Frances Margaret Lawrance (d.1940), Lady Vernon . artuk.org . . 5 October 2023 . en.
