Biography of Edward Villiers 1st Earl Jersey 1656-1711

Before 1651 [his father] Edward Villiers [aged 30] and [his mother] Frances Howard were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Theophilus Howard 2nd Earl Suffolk and [his grandmother] Elizabeth Home Countess Suffolk.

Around 1656 Edward Villiers 1st Earl Jersey was born to [his father] Edward Villiers [aged 35] and [his mother] Frances Howard.

In October 1677 [his mother] Frances Howard died.

On 1st February 1678 [his brother-in-law] William Bentinck 1st Earl of Portland [aged 28] and [his sister] Anne Villiers Countess Portland [aged 27] were married. She by marriage Countess of Portland.

On 17th December 1681 Edward Villiers 1st Earl Jersey [aged 25] and Barbara Chiffinch Countess Jersey [aged 18] were married.

Around 1682 [his son] William Villiers 2nd Earl Jersey was born to Edward Villiers 1st Earl Jersey [aged 26] and [his wife] Barbara Chiffinch Countess Jersey [aged 19].

In February 1685 [his father] Edward Villiers [aged 64] and Martha Love were married at Westminster Abbey [Map].

In 1688 [his sister] Anne Villiers Countess Portland [aged 37] died.

Before 2nd July 1689 [his father] Edward Villiers [aged 69] died.

On 13th June 1690 Maurice Berkeley 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge [aged 61] died. His brother John [aged 40] succeeded 4th Viscount Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry, 2nd Baronet Berkeley of Bruton in Somerset. [his sister] Barbara Villiers Viscountess Fitzhardinge [aged 36] by marriage Viscountess Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry.

In 1691 Edward Villiers 1st Earl Jersey [aged 35] was created 1st Viscount Villiers, 1st Baron Villiers probably as a consequence of his sister Barbara Villiers Viscountess Fitzhardinge [aged 37] being a mistress of King William III of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 40]. Barbara Chiffinch Countess Jersey [aged 28] by marriage Viscountess Villiers.

In April 1691 [his brother-in-law] William O'Brien 3rd Earl Inchiquin [aged 29] and [his sister] Mary Villiers Countess Inchiquin were married. He the son of William O'Brien 2nd Earl Inchiquin [aged 51] and Margaret Boyle Countess Inchiquin. They were first cousin once removed.

On 16th January 1692 William O'Brien 2nd Earl Inchiquin [aged 52] died. His son [his brother-in-law] William [aged 30] succeeded 3rd Earl Inchiquin. [his sister] Mary Villiers Countess Inchiquin by marriage Countess Inchiquin.

On 23rd May 1695 [his brother-in-law] John Campbell 2nd Earl Breadalbaine and Holland [aged 32] and [his sister] Henrietta Villiers Countess Breadalbaine and Holland were married. He the son of John Campbell 1st Earl Breadalbaine and Holland [aged 58] and Mary Rich. They were sixth cousins.

On 25th November 1695 [his brother-in-law] George Hamilton 1st Earl Orkney [aged 29] and [his sister] Elizabeth Villiers Countess Orkney [aged 38] were married. He the son of William Hamilton 1st Duke Hamilton and Anne Hamilton 3rd Duchess Hamilton [aged 63]. They were half second cousin once removed.

In 1696 [his brother-in-law] George Hamilton 1st Earl Orkney [aged 29] was created 1st Earl Orkney. [his sister] Elizabeth Villiers Countess Orkney [aged 39] by marriage Countess Orkney.

In 1697 Edward Villiers 1st Earl Jersey [aged 41] was created 1st Earl Jersey probably as a consequence of his sister Barbara Villiers Viscountess Fitzhardinge [aged 43] being a mistress of King William III of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 46]. Barbara Chiffinch Countess Jersey [aged 34] by marriage Countess Jersey.

John Evelyn's Diary. 24th April 1700. This week there was a great change of State officers. The Duke of Shrewsbury [aged 39] resigned his Lord Chamberlainship to the Earl of Jersey [aged 44], the Duke's indisposition requiring his retreat. Mr. Vernon [aged 54], Secretary of State, was put out. The Seal was taken from the Lord Chancellor Somers [aged 49], though he had been acquitted by a great majority of votes for what was charged against him in the House of Commons. This being in term time, put some stop to business, many eminent lawyers refusing to accept the office, considering the uncertainty of things in this fluctuating conjuncture. It is certain that this Chancellor was a most excellent lawyer, very learned in all polite literature, a superior pen, master of a handsome style, and of easy conversation; but he is said to make too much haste to be rich, as his predecessor, and most in place in this age did, to a more prodigious excess than was ever known. But the Commons had now so mortified the Court party, and property and liberty were so much invaded in all the neighbouring kingdoms, that their jealousy made them cautious, and every day strengthened the law which protected the people from tyranny.

On 19th September 1708 [his sister] Barbara Villiers Viscountess Fitzhardinge [aged 54] died. She was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map].

Before 21st May 1710 [his former son-in-law] Thomas Thynne and Mary Villiers Baroness Lansdowne were married. She the daughter of Edward Villiers 1st Earl Jersey [aged 54] and Barbara Chiffinch Countess Jersey [aged 47]. They were fifth cousin once removed.

Before 25th August 1711 Godfrey Kneller [aged 65]. Portrait of Edward Villiers 1st Earl Jersey [aged 55].

On 25th August 1711 Edward Villiers 1st Earl Jersey [aged 55] died. His son William [aged 29] succeeded 2nd Earl Jersey, 2nd Viscount Villiers, 2nd Baron Villiers.

On 22nd July 1735 [his former wife] Barbara Chiffinch Countess Jersey [aged 72] died.

[his son] Henry Villiers was born to Edward Villiers 1st Earl Jersey and Barbara Chiffinch Countess Jersey.

[his daughter] Mary Villiers Baroness Lansdowne was born to Edward Villiers 1st Earl Jersey and Barbara Chiffinch Countess Jersey. She married (1) before 21st May 1710 her fifth cousin once removed Thomas Thynne and had issue (2) 15th December 1711 George Granville 1st Baron Lansdowne and had issue.