John Townshend

Lord John Townsend (January 19, 1757 - February 23, 1833), known as the "Hon. John Townshend until 1787," was a British Whig politician. Townshend was the second son of Field Marshal George Townshend, 1st Marquis of Townshend, from his first wife Charlotte Compton, 15th Baroness Ferrers of Chartley. George Townshend, 2nd Marquis of Townshend, was his older brother, and Charles Townshend was his uncle. He was educated at Eton and St. John's College in Cambridge. Townshend was elected to the House of Commons of the University of Cambridge in 1780, a seat that he held until 1784, and later represented Westminster from 1788 to 1790 and Nairsborough from 1793 to 1818. He was admitted to the Privy Council in 1806 and served under Lord Grenville. as the treasurer of the Force (next to the Lord Temple) between 1806 and 1807. Townshend married George Anne Fockener, daughter of William Poynets and divorced wife of William Fockener, in 1787. Their eldest son, Charles Fox Townshend, was the founder of the Eaton Society, but died young. Their youngest son, John, became admiral in the Royal Navy and succeeded his cousin in the Marquis in 1855. Their daughter Elizabeth Francis Townshend (August 2, 1789 - April 10, 1862 Nice) married on October 20, 1813. Captain August Clifford R.N., later Sir August Clifford, 1st Bt (1788-1877), illegitimate son 5 of the Duke of Devonshire and his mistress, Lady Elizabeth Foster, nee Hervey, later the second wife of the Duke (1811).  Mrs. Clifford became Lady Clifford in 1838 when her husband was raised for baroning. Townshend died in February 1833, at the age of 76. Lady Georgiana Anna died in 1851.