25th Generation

638. Earl William Henry FORTESCUE of Clermont⁴⁴ was born on 6 August 1722. He died on 29 September 1806 in Steyne, Brighton, Sussex. He was buried on 10 October 1806 in Little Cressingham, near Watton, Norfolk. William Henry, born on 6th August 1722, was returned as a knight of the shire for Co. Louth in October 1747. On 29th February 1752 he married Frances, eldest daughter of General Murray of Co. Monaghan. Her estates in Co. Monaghan passed to the Westenras, the Lords Rossmore.

In 1761 William was elected for both Co. Louth and for the town of Monaghan, and he chose to sit for the latter. His brother sat for Co. Louth.

In 1764 he was made Paymaster General for Ireland and a Privy Councillor.

In 1768 he was made Custos Rotulorum for Co. Louth, was Governor of Co. Monaghan, and was again returned as M.P. for Monaghan, which he represented until he was elevated to the peerage on 26th May 1770, as Baron Clermont.

In 1776, having no son, he obtained a patent creating himself as Viscount and Baron Clermont, with a special remainder to his brother the Rt. Hon. James Fortescue of Ravensdale Park, and his male issue. On 24th January 1777 he was raised to become the Earl of Clermont.

William died at Brighton on 29th September 1806, aged 84, and was buried on 10th October at Little Cressingham, near Watton, Norfolk, the parish in which his seat of Clermont Lodge stood. There is a tablet in the church there. Clermont is a fictitious place in Ireland it seems.

Frances, Lady Clermont, survived her husband by a few years.

In 1783 he was appointed an original Knight of St Patrick on the institution of that order.

Frances MURRAY of County Monaghan (private).

Earl William Henry FORTESCUE of Clermont and Frances MURRAY of County Monaghan had the following children:

745

i.

Lady Louisa FORTESCUE44 was born about 1753. No issue