Earl of Dysart

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Earl of Dysart (pronounced "Die-z't") is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1643 for William Murray, who had earlier represented Fowey and East Looe in the English House of Commons. He was made Lord Huntingtower at the same time, also in the Peerage of Scotland. He was succeeded by his daughter, the second Countess. In 1670 she resigned the peerage and received a new grant thereof by patent with precedency of her father, and with remainder to her heirs of the body, failing which to her heirs whatsoever. Lady Dysart married, firstly, Sir Lionel Tollemache, 3rd Baronet (see Tollemache Baronets for earlier history of this title), and, secondly, John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale.

She was succeeded by her son from her first marriage, the third Earl, who had already succeeded his father as fourth Baronet. Lord Dysart notably represented Orford and Suffolk in the House of Commons and served as Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk, but declined the offer of an English barony. His great-grandson, the sixth Earl, sat as Member of Parliament for Northampton and Liskeard. On his death in 1821 the Tollemache baronetcy became extinct. The Scottish titles were inherited by the late Earl's half-sister, the seventh Countess. She was the wife of John Manners. On succeeding to the titles Lady Dysart assumed by Royal licence the surname and arms of Talmash (or Tollemache).

Her eldest son and heir apparent, William Talmash, Lord Huntingtower, was created a Baronet, of Hanley Hall, in 1793. However, he predeceased his mother and Lady Dysart was succeeded by her grandson, the eighth Earl (the son of Lord Huntingtower), who had already succeeded his father as second Baronet. He represented Ilchester in Parliament. His grandson, the ninth Earl, was Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland. On his death the baronetcy and Scottish peerages separated. The baronetcy was inherited by a male heir (see Tollemache Baronets for later history of this title) while the lordship and earldom passed to his niece, the tenth Countess. She was the daughter of Agnes Mary Manners Talmash (sister of the ninth Earl) and her husband Charles Norman Lindsay Tollemache Scott. Lady Dysart was the wife of Owain Edward Whitehead Greaves. As of 2008 the titles are held by their younger daughter, the twelfth Countess, who succeeded her unmarried elder sister in 2003. Lady Dysart is the widow of Colonel John Peter Grant.

The family seat is Bryn Garth Farm, near Monmouth, Monmouthshire.

John Tollemache, 1st Baron Tollemache, was the son of Admiral of the Fleet John Richard Delap Halliday (who in 1821 assumed by Royal licence the surname and arms of Tollemache in lieu of Halliday), eldest son of Lady Jane Halliday, youngest daughter and co-heir of the fourth Earl of Dysart.

[edit] Earls of Dysart (1643/1670)

The heir apparent is the present peeress's son John Grant, Lord Huntingtower (b. 1946)

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.
  • Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page