Arabella (Mackworth-Praed) Bourke (abt. 1766 - 1843)

Born about 1766 in Devon, England [uncertain]

Wife of John Bourke PC GCH — married 24 May 1792 in West Teignmouth, Devon, England

Died 19 Nov 1843 at about age 77 in Bersted Lodge, South Bersted, Sussex, England, United Kingdom

Biography

Countess Arabella Mackworth-Praed was a member of the aristocracy in British Isles.

Arabella was born about 1766. She was the daughter of William Mackworth-Praed and his wife Susanna. She was the sister of Winthrop Mackworth Praed, Esq., D.C.L., the distinguished and sublime poet^[1].

She was probably baptised on 26 December 1766 at St Peter Cathedral, Exeter, Devon, England^[2].

Arabella married John Bourke, 4th Earl of Mayo (the son of Most Rev. Joseph Deane Bourke, 3rd Earl of Mayo and Elizabeth Meade) on 24 May 1792 at West Teignmouth, Devon, England, by licence^[3][4].

They had no children.

She was Lady-in-Waiting to Queen Adelaide. A portrait of Arabella can be found on her husband's Wikipedia page[1].

As the result of her marriage, Arabella was styled as Countess of Mayo on 20 August 1794 upon the death of her father in law, Reverend Joseph Bourke.

The following was published in the Freeman's Journal dated 14 August 1843, Page 2:

FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE.

The Earl and Countess of Mayo have been receiving a succession of company at Bersted Lodge, Sussex.- Amongst the recent guests have been the Earl and Countess of Bective, the Earl and Countess of Miltown, Mr. and Lady Louisa Bourke, Count T. and Lady Cecil Delafeld, Baron de Rothschild, Mr. E. Bourke and Mr. Denison. The Earl and countess do not intend coming to this country till late in the Autumn.^[5]

Arabella passed away three months later at Bersted Lodge, Sussex on 19 November 1843^[6].

Freeman's Journal 28 November 1843, page 2:

FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE.

The mortal remains of the late Countess of Mayo were removed on Friday from Bersted Lodge, Bognor, on their way to their last resting place in this country. They will be attended on their Journey by her ladyship's nephews, Mr. Bourke and his two sons, Mr. Richard and Lieutenant John Jocelyn Bourke. It is expected that the "cortege" will land at Kingstown on to-morrow morning, and immediately proceed to the seat of the noble earl at Palmerston. The body will be placed in the lordship's private chapel for the night, and the funeral will take place on Thursday morning at nine. By order of his physicians (who apprehend the effect of the mournful occasion on his health) the venerable earl is constrained to withhold his attendance. Her ladyship was First Lady of the Bedchamber to her Majesty the Queen Dowager, by whom she was highly valued and is deeply lamented.^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winthrop_Mackworth_Praed
2. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J3QD-C8L : 10 April 2021), Arabella Prade, 1766.
3. ↑ "England, Devon and Cornwall Marriages, 1660-1912," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGY9-ZSZ1 : 24 April 2019), John Bourke, 25 May 1791; citing Marriage, England, United Kingdom, the Devon Record Office, Exeter.
4. ↑ "England Marriages, 1538–1973 ", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N2H9-19D : 13 March 2020), John Bourke, 1791.
5. ↑ Freeman's Journal 14 August 1843, Page 2, https://search.findmypast.co.uk/ (requires subscription).
6. ↑ "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2J4G-ZQB : 31 December 2014), Arabella Bourke, 1843; from "England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, Chichester, Sussex, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
7. ↑ Freeman's Journal 28 November 1843, page 2, https://search.findmypast.co.uk/ (requires subscription).

• The Peerage:- Arabella Mackworth-Praed