Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 29 May 1873 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
1p
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Charles William Francis inherited Charleville Estate on the death of his father, the 3rd earl in 1859. He was a minor on inheriting the title, being just seven years old at the time. He never married and died on Staten Island, New York in 1874 at the age of 22. His coming of age the previous year was a grand affair in Tullamore with much celebrations and festivities in the town. As the 4th earl died with no male heirs, the earldom passed to his uncle Alfred, who had been his guardian in his minority.
Repository
Archival history
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Newspaper cutting from The Leinster Reporter regarding the coming of age of the Earl of Charleville, “for whom there has ever existed a sympathy which doubtless was intensified in degree by the early loneliness of an interesting child without father of mother”. Reared by a “fond uncle”, the Honorable Colonel Bury, the young earl was brought up to be an Irishman, “loving his native isle and doing his duty in the sphere”. The town of Tullamore have made every preparation for the celebration of the Earl’s birthday, with “every conceivable kind of splendid illuminations and grand festooning” decorating the scene. An address was also presented to Lady Katherine, the Earl’s sister, on her forthcoming marriage, which was accompanied with “an elegant souvenir, consisting of a handsome silver tea kettle on stand with suitable inscription, and a gold bracelet”. A comment was made that the townspeople have made every preparation possible, well in time for a dinner for the Earl and some 200 of his friends in the Court House later in the week.