Marquess Grey

On 11th January 1797 Jemima Campbell 2nd Marchioness Grey (age 73) died at the family's London House, 4 Saint James' Square. Marquess Grey extinct. Her daughter Amabel (age 45) succeeded 5th Baroness Lucas of Crudwell. She was buried at the De Grey Mausoleum, St John the Baptist Church, Flitton [Map] on 21st January 1797. Her will stated that she was to be buried in the vault "in as private a manner as may be consistent with proper decency. A Hearse with six horses, without any Ornament or Escutcheons and two Coaches with six horses each will be sufficient, without any Family Coach or Livery Servant. I would not have the Church hung with black or any Escutcheons to be used there nor any mourning rings given". It went on to give £50 to the poor of Flitton with Silsoe and of Clophill. She also gave her servant Jane Band an annuity of £40 per annum. She also stated: "It is my intention to erect a Monument in the Church at Flitton to the memory of my late Lord. If it shall happen that I do not carry this my intention into execution I then direct that one shall be placed there to his memory and mine plain and neat in the design but not magnificent or expensive and that the same be placed in the Division now empty on the right hand side of the Duke of Kent's Monument". In fact she did raise Hardwicke's monument in his lifetime as it states that she did so and 'waits to follow him'. The eulogy on the monument reads: "Her excellent & cultivated understanding, her serene & benevolent temper, her polished manners, her domestic virtues and exemplary piety will ever be revered and regretted by her children, relations and friends". In a codicil to her will she wrote: "I desire my Body to be kept as long as is proper and then buried with Lime in the Coffin to promote a speedier dissolution". She also willed "If any letters or papers are found in my handwriting which have been returned to me from Friends I correspond with not burnt (which it is my intention to do) I desire my Executrix will burn them".

Amabel Yorke Countess Grey: On 22nd February 1751 she was born to Philip Yorke 2nd Earl of Hardwicke and Jemima Campbell 2nd Marchioness Grey. In 1816 Amabel Yorke Countess Grey was created 1st Countess de Grey with a special remainder to her sister Mary Jemima Yorke Baroness Grantham and her sister's male heirs.