Humble Ward, 1st Baron Ward

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sir Humble Ward, 1st Baron Ward of Birmingham (c.1614--14 October 1670) was the son and heir of William Ward, a London goldsmith. He married Frances Sutton otherwise Dudley, granddaughter and sole heiress of Edward Sutton, 5th Baron Dudley, whose estates including Dudley Castle and Himley Hall were settled on them on 17 February 1628, at their marriage. William Ward used his wealth to buy up Lord Dudley's debts, thereby rescuing what was left of the Dudley estate from his creditors.

He was High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1658.

Following her grandfather's death in 1643, Frances succeeded as Baroness Dudley (in her own right). Her husband was created Lord Ward in 1644. She survived her husband, dying on 11 August 1697.

Their eldest son Edward Ward, 7th Baron Dudley succeeded as 2nd Baron Ward in 1670 and as 7th Lord Dudley in 1697. His male line died out, so that the present Baron Dudley is descended through the female line, whereas the Earls of Dudley are descended from Hon. William Ward, their second son.

[edit] References

Burkes' Peerage (1939)