Mary (Molesworth) Rochford (abt. 1720 - abt. 1775)

Ancestors

Wife of Robert Rochfort — married 7 Aug 1746 in Ireland [uncertain]

Descendants

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Ben Molesworth [send private message]

Biography

Mary was born about 1725. She is the daughter of Richard Molesworth and Jane Lucas.

Active volunteers on Wikitree who are direct descendants of this person are welcome to take over management of this profile. Any active Wikitree volunteer is welcome to add more information to this profile.

Sources

• Pedigree of the Molesworth Family, page 2, Mary, dau. of Richard, 3rd V., and Miss Lucas.

• Pedigree of the Molesworth Family, page 2, Mary married Rochford, Earl of Belvidere, and had George, 2nd Earl, b.1738, d.s.p.; Robert Lt.Col. d.s.p.; Richard, d.s.p.; Lady Jane married Earl of Lanesborough, (title now extinct).

• Pedigree of the Molesworth Family, note 8, The Earl was jealous of his Countess and shut her up in a summer-house in his garden for thirty years. During her seclusion she is said to have occupied herself by making a wig out of her hair. When after the death of her husband her sons released her, and when she saw her sister for the first time, she said "Do I embrace a sister". This story came to Charles 1st Viscount Halifax through Lady Ponsonby. There is an interesting account of the life of this lady in Chambers' Edin. Journal. New Series. Vol.6. (July-Dec).1846. Page 324., also in the last story of Lord Halifax's Ghost book, Vol.2.

• Molesworth (Blue book), by R.H. Molesworth. Chapter 22. The Life Of Mary Molesworth, Mary Molesworth was the eldest daughter of the 3rd Viscount, Lord Richard Molesworth's first marriage, and even though Mary was never a ghost, to the best of my knowledge, her tragic and unusual life story must be told in this chapter. Even Lord Halifax, in his 'Ghost Book', Vo. 2, has written her story in his chapter on 'Some Curious Stories', and justly so as even today the whole truth of her life is not known.

The family of Richard's first marriage was short lived as can be seen in Richard's chapter. His first wife, Jane Lucas, died 1st April 1742. Letitia married her first cousin James Molesworth, 2nd October 1753 and Amelia, their sister, died 30th January 1758. Having a father who was a busy Commander-in-Chief of forces in Dublin, a dead mother, and one sister who was married, Mary must have been without family support from when she was still very young. It was during Richard's tenure as commander that Mary attracted the attention of a Mr Rochford, a member of an ancient and honourable family in County Westmeath, Ireland. He was described as a man of considerable ability and talent, with expensive tastes and the most excellent manners; but being at the same time in position of a haughty and vindictive temper, selfish, unprincipled and lavish in his way of living. At the time when he met Mary Molesworth, he was twenty-eight, a widower, and childless. His first wife, Elizabeth Tenison, had died a few months after their marriage. He had some interest in high places in England, a circumstance which possibly commended his appeal to Lord Molesworth who, besides being charmed by his excellent manners, was sufficiently worldly to encourage the company of a man for whom honour and advancement might reasonably be anticipated. Indeed, at this time, Mr. Rochford was considered a promising young man and was so much in the favour of King George II, that he was soon created Baron Bellefield and a short time later a viscount. Eventually he became the Earl of Belvedere; and it is by this title that he is best known. He was a man of striking and handsome appearance. The only portrait of him in existence shows him at an advanced age, when he was no longer a successful and charming courtier, but had begun to show in his features the workings of a hard time. He is painted in his Parliamentary robes, tall, dark and handsome, but with a stern, gloomy, and sombre expression on his face. His appearance had altered since the days when he courted Mary when a milder manner and a more amiable temper would be expected of him. Mary, at this time, was only sixteen, an attractive and accomplished young lady, with a gentle and thoughtful nature. She seems to have been not altogether unaware of her suitor's true qualities. She saw in him a man who might well grace a court, but was less likely to become a family man. She had observed that, kind and attentive as he invariably was towards her, he was haughty and inconsiderate toward others; and the prospect of marrying him gave her little pleasure. However, she was only sixteen, young and too gentle to offer much resistance to a match which was pressuring her from all around. With many misgivings she at length gave her consent, the marriage took place on 1st August 1736. It is said that just before the celebration, she sat for her picture, and that when it was suggested that she should be painted in some fancy costume, she chose one which, especially in the shape of the coiffure, recalled a well known portrait of that ill faited captive, her namesake, Mary, Queen of Scots. In a very short time, Lady Belvedere's misgivings began to come true in the coldness and neglect of her husband. He was surrounded by flatterers who, for reasons of their own, had opposed his marriage and were now on the watch to prejudice him against his young wife. Although a year after the marriage Lady Belvedere disappointed her husband for an heir by giving birth to a daughter, in due course she presented him with a son, a fine and promising child; and it may be supposed that for a time at least Lord Belvedere's affection for his wife revived. The birth of the heir was magnificently celebrated, the child being christened George Augustus after the King, who stood godfather by proxy and continued, until his death more than twenty years later, to be a firm friend to the child's father. During the first years of their married life, the Belvederes mostly resided at 'Gaulston', in County Westmeath, and here, in course of time, two other sons were born to them, Robert and Richard. The house was a large, gloomy building, dating from the days of Edward III. Later it belonged to Chief Baron Rochford and is alluded to by Dean Swift. Such painful associations were to gather round it that the second and last Earl of Belvedere, Mary's first son George, sold the house to Lord Kilmaine, who replaced it with a more modern and less forbidding structure. In 1740 Mary and Lord Belvedere began to build 'Belvedere' five miles away from 'Gaulston'. This home was built as a villa for entertaining and the dining room enjoys spectacular views of Lough Ennell in Co. Westmeath. All the ground floor rooms have delicate Rococo ceilings attributed to Bartholomew Cramillion. As might be expected, a rural and domestic life had little attraction for Lord Belvedere. His absences were long and frequent, most of his time being spent either at the English Court or in Dublin, which in the days before the Union, had its own Parliament and was the residence of the Irish aristocracy. Fortunately for Lady Belvedere, she preferred a quiet life in the country. She was a fond and attentive mother, and in the care and society of her children she was able to forget the estrangement from her husband. The three boys were still in their infancy, but the daughter was beginning to be of a companionable age. Afterwards, the Countess of Lanesborough, the girl gave early promise of that affection, gaiety, and beauty for which she was to be distinguished. As time went on, the visits of Lord Belvedere to his wife and family became shorter and less frequent, and when they occurred they added little to the happiness of the family. There was a gloom on his brow and a severity in his manner which filled his wife with fears for the future. She was convinced that his old friends and flatterers, and in particular her own enemy, had been poisoning his mind against her; nothing else could explain his suspicious looks and savage tones. Eight years after the marriage, the storm broke. Lord Belvedere appeared at 'Gaulston' and charged Mary with having been unfaithful to him, the partner of her guilt being alleged to be a relative of his own. The accounts which have survived state that Lady Belvedere at first received this accusation with surprise and anger, but that at last, in desperation, she astonished her friends by acknowledging her guilt. She was, in fact, entirely innocent, but, having failed to conquer her husband's suspicions, she hoped to strengthen the grounds for a divorce and so rid herself of a man whom she found it impossible not to hate. Subsequently she repeatedly protested her innocence, and on her death bed, some thirty years later, made a solemn oath to that effect. The other party named was a married man, of exemplary character, an affectionate father and a most attached husband. He and his wife were both sincerely sorry for their young and neglected neighbour, whose husband's profligacies were well known to them. Living, as they did, close to 'Gaulston', there was a constant communication between the two houses. Lady Belvedere knew that she would always find a ready and sympathetic welcome in the home of her friends, and it may well be that in their company she did not resist the temptation of dwelling upon her unhappiness. The charge of infidelity was followed by proceedings in court. The principal witness was Lady Belvedere's enemy, who had laid her plans so well that damages to the amount of 20,000 pounds were awarded to the Earl; whereupon the ill-fated neighbour, unable to meet so formidable a demand, fled the country. After residing abroad for many years, his Irish property being meanwhile neglected and his sole comfort being the society of his attached wife and family, he was induced to return with them to Ireland, believing that lapse of time would have softened Lord Belvedere's heart. It was a vain hope. He was arrested and sent to Marshalsea, the debtors prison, where eventually he died, protesting to the last his innocence of the charge against him. There is a twist to this part of the story found in the Earl of Egmont's diary dated 2nd May 1743. "Last post several letters from Ireland gave an account of a most unhappy affair that lately passed in Dublin. Robert Rochford, Baron Bellfield of that kingdom, whom some years ago married a daughter of Richard Viscount Molesworth for love, she being very handsome though no fortune, and used her in tenderest manner, was privately informed that she cohabited unlawfully with his younger brother. Upon which he put the question to her, and she with consummate impudence owned the fact, adding that her last child was by him, and that she had no pleasure with any man like that she had with him. My Lord thereupon locked her up ...and in his rage took a charged pistol with him with intention to find his brother and shoot him, but that very night he went on board a ship and sailed for England, where he now lies concealed if not fled abroad. My Lord Bellfield then went to Lord Molesworth and telling his unfortunate case, asked his advice what he should do? My Lord replied he might do what he pleased; that having committed such a crime as incest and confess it, he should have no concern about, and the rather because she was only his bastard by his wife before he married her. My Lord Bellfield resolved to be divorced, is now prosecuting her as an adultress, and we are told that when separated, she will be transported to the West Indies as a vagabond." Meanwhile Lady Belvedere had discovered that her hope of obtaining a divorce from her husband was an illusion. Lately he had spent little time at 'Gaulston'; now he determined to abandon it altogether. The house was old and inconvenient, and the property, apart from the gardens which were very fine, had little to recommend it to a man of his taste. He accordingly removed his establishment to the beautiful new mansion not far away. This new house, 'Belvedere' immediately adjoining the demesne of Rochfort, the residence of a collateral branch of his family. The name of Rochfort is now almost extinct in the neighbourhood, but was at one time well known and esteemed, a member of the family representing Westmeath in parliament for many years. Between Rochfort and Lord Belvedere's new house lay the artificial ruin of an abbey, the tradition being that this building arose out of the family feud. The ruin was actually built by Lord Belvedere himself and was a further illustration of his vindictive nature. He wished to be spared the annoyance of seeing the other's house when he looked out of his window. So, at great expense, he built a ruined abbey, fetching over for the purpose from Italy a celebrated Florentine architect. But when Lord Belvedere moved from 'Gaulston', he had no intention of taking his wife with him. She was to remain, and her house was to be her asylum or prison, where he could keep her under close surveillance, and such was his influence throughout the countryside that he had no lack of allies to help him to carry out his detestable plan. Lady Belvedere was accordingly confined to 'Gaulston', forbidden visitors and restricted in her movements. Otherwise she appears at first to have been treated reasonably well. She had sufficient servants, the use of a carriage for driving about the extensive grounds, and all the clothes she required. It is said that drawing was her favourite occupation, and for this she was given every facility. She was also allowed to write letters, and it is a mystery why she did not complain of her treatment to her family or her friends; or if she did, why they took no steps to help her. Perhaps they feared to interfere between man and wife; and probably Lord Belvedere had taken the precaution of giving his father-in-law a version of his daughter's conduct, such as would persuade him that strict seclusion was the only way in which further disgrace to the family might be avoided. It may be added that very soon after the confinement took effect, Lady Belvedere's mother, who might have exercised her influence in her daughter's favour, died; where upon Lord Molesworth took a second wife, Mary Usher, who presented him with a large and increasing family. What at least is certain is that Lady Belvedere's relatives took no steps whatever to procure her liberation. One consolation was at first allowed her. She was permitted from time to time to see her children, who were and continued to be deeply attached to her. The years began to slip by. At the date of her confinement Mary was not quite twenty five, and as she grew older, her desire for emancipation became stronger. Doubtless she repeatedly appealed by letter to her husband; if she did, her efforts were quite unavailing. He would not even see her, though he paid frequent visits to the grounds and gardens of 'Gaulston'. One day, however, fortune seemed to favour her. Lord Belvedere unexpectedly entered the gardens without having taken his usual precautions against seeing his wife. Unhappily he was accompanied by one of those friends who were especially hostile to Lady Belvedere. The latter, however, seeing her husband approach, rushed forward and threw herself on her knees before him. She would not ask forgiveness for a crime she had not committed, but in a few hurried words told of the hardness of her lot and begged to be released. So moving was her appeal that for a moment Lord Belvedere was shaken in his resolution, but only for a moment. His friend, without allowing him time to reply, turned reproachfully to him with the words, "Remember your honour, my lord." and drew him from the spot. From that time onward Lord Belvedere hardened in his attitude. Far from modifying the treatment of Mary, he increased the restriction on her liberty. She was allowed to walk in a certain portion of the garden only, and at such times a person was appointed to accompany her. Her attendant was even given a bell, which he was instructed to ring when he and his charge were taking the air, so that everyone might know they were about and avoid them. After twelve years of captivity the lady at length succeeded, with the help of some faithful servants, in making her escape from 'Gaulston'. How she got away is not known, but the news was quickly taken to her husband who, anticipating that she would seek the shelter of her father's house in Dublin, took immediate steps to forestall her. Lord Molesworth was then living on the south side of Merrion Square, and Lord Belvedere, reaching the house before his wife could arrive, worked so powerfully upon the feelings of his father-in-law that the latter gave strict orders for his daughter to be refused admittance. Poor Mary was completely overwhelmed by such a reception. At her wits end, and thinking of no danger but the chance of recapture, she took the one step that would be fatal to her. She gave her coachman orders to drive to Sackville Street, where resided the wife and family of the man, now dead, with whom she was supposed to have misconducted herself. There, if anywhere, she believed herself sure of a welcome. Whether she ever got to her friends or not, we do not know. She was, however, followed, and Lord Belvedere's rage, on discovering her destination, may be imagined. She was seized, and within less than twenty four hours after she had left 'Gaulston', she was back in her prison again. In future, her treatment was to be greatly altered. She was deprived of her comforts; the servants who had been too sympathetic with her were dismissed; she was not allowed to see her children; and even her little amusements and occupations were forbidden her. In fact, she was reduced to the bare necessities of life and surrounded by a set of attendants who treated her harshly and were constantly on the watch lest she should elude their vigilance. But indeed she had guessed what her capture would entail for her. It is stated that immediately after her unsuccessful flight her hair turned white in the course of a single night. She endured this rigorous imprisonment for no less than eighteen years. It is hard to believe that this could have been possible in a civilised country during the eighteenth century. It is equally surprising that her reason did not give way under her treatment. There was indeed a suggestion, fostered probably by her husband, that her mind had become deranged. We have no exact account of how she passed her time. A few particulars, however, have reached us. One informant was an old and valued servant, who lived and died with the Rochfort family. He was at one time a footman at 'Gaulston', the only one of the old staff who was allowed to remain after Mary's attempted escape. As it was, he stayed until the day of her release. When he was a very old man and his memory, particularly of recent occurrences, was beginning to fail, he could still recall with energy and feeling every circumstance connected with his unhappy mistress. He would relate how she would ask him anxiously for news of her children or of what was happening in the country. The children, however, were her chief concern, and the footman was the only person from whom she dared to ask for information of them. Many a time, he said, when he was seeing to the fire, she would purposely delay him in his task, so as to prolong the conversation. At other times he would see her walking in the picture gallery and gazing at the portraits as though she were trying to talk to them. When Mary had almost abandoned hope the hour of her release arrived. In November 1774, Lord Belvedere died, in his 66th year, heavily in debt and his passing regretted by few. No sooner was the funeral over than his eldest son, accompanied by his brothers, hastened to 'Gaulston' to set their mother at liberty. Eighteen years had wrought great changes in all parties, and especially in poor Mary. She had, we are told, become prematurely old and haggard, had a scared, unearthly look, and spoke in a harsh agitated whisper. When her sons arrived, they found her wearing the fashions of thirty years back, when her imprisonment began. As they entered the room, she was at first speechless; then faltered, "Is the tyrant dead?" Her sons, of course, were now fully grown, the eldest being in the prime of life; and so strong was the family likeness between him and his brothers that their mother was compelled to ask which was the new Lord Belvedere. They took her from 'Gaulston' at once. The eldest son, who had just married, was about to travel to Italy with his wife, and thinking a complete change of scene might benefit his mother, proposed that she should accompany them. This well meant plan failed in its object. The excitement of a journey was too much for one so long accustomed to solitude. Eventually it was arranged that while Lord Belvedere and his new wife went on to Italy, his mother should stay at a convent in France; and it had been erroneously stated that she died there, having first joined the Roman Catholic Church. The truth is that, after spending the winter in Florence, Lord Belvedere returned for his mother and took her to London, where for twelve months she stayed with a friend of the family who had apartments at Kensington Palace. Her long imprisonment had so impaired her nerves that she now sought solitude and shunned the company of all but her nearest relations. Her dread of appearing in public was not irrational. Her story had begun to attract attention and was circulating round London in different versions, some less charitable than others; while the strangeness of her appearance made her an object of curiosity wherever she went. All that kindness and care could do for her was done, but her disquiet increased, and after the death of one of her younger sons she wrote to Lord Belvedere and expressed a wish that she might return to Ireland. She spent the remainder of her life in Dublin, first with her eldest son and afterwards with her son-in-law and daughter, Lord and Lady Lanesborough. So she ended her days in peace, surrounded by her grandchildren; and on her death bed, after receiving Holy Communion, she confirmed with the solemn oath her innocence of the offence for which she had suffered so long in captivity.