Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1861 (Creation)
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Item
Extent and medium
3 items
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Lady Harriet Hugh Adelaide Bury was the second daughter of Charles William George, 3rd earl of Charleville and his wife Arabella. She was orphaned in 1859 at the age of 5 years when her father died, her mother having died in 1857. Harriet and her four siblings were made wards of chancery and placed in the guardianship of their uncle, Alfred Bury. In 1861 at the age of 7 years, Lady Harriet suffered a fatal accident at Charleville Castle when she fell from the banisters of the staircase.
Name of creator
Biographical history
The 3rd earl of Charleville inherited the bad debts of previous generations. Prior to his succession, he was a lieutenant of 43rd foot and married Arabella Case in 1850. They had five children, but on returning to Charleville in 1851, numerous tragedies befell the family. Arabella died in 1857 from scarletina at the age of 35 years, and two years later, in 1859, the earl died at the age of 37. Their five young children, all minors and now wards of Chancery, were left in the care of their uncle, the Hon Alfred Bury and his wife, at Charleville Castle. In 1861, in a tragic accident, their seven year old daughter Lady Harriet Bury, fell to her death while attempting to slide down the banisters in the castle.
Name of creator
Biographical history
Arabella Case was the youngest daughter of Henry Case of Staffordshire. She married Viscount Tullamore in 1850 just prior to his succeeding to the earldom of Charleville in 1851. She lived in Charleville almost continuously from that time with their five children, but died from a bout of scarletina in 1857 at the age of 35.
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Archival history
Content and structure area
Scope and content
File of newspaper clipping concerning the tragic death of Lady Harriet Hugh Adelaide Bury, second daughter of the late Earl and Countess of Charleville, who fell down the stairs at the family seat, Charleville Castle, Tullamore. Lady Harriet, described as “a fine, promising child” was only seven years old. Following the death of her father, she, with her brother and sister were “made wards of Chancery” and resided with one of their guardians, the Hon. Alfred Bury in the family residence, Charleville Castle, “who watched over them and their bringing up with paternal care and solitude”. The accident happened when returning from the nursery after washing her hands, she attempted to slide down the banister, “which was highly polished and as slippery as glass”, and lost her balance and fell.