Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh 1641-1712

In 1630 [his father] Arthur Jones 2nd Viscount Ranelagh [aged 20] and [his mother] Katherine Boyle Viscountess Ranelagh [aged 14] were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Richard Boyle 1st Earl Cork [aged 63] and [his grandmother] Catherine Fenton Countess Cork.

On 8th February 1641 Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh was born to Arthur Jones 2nd Viscount Ranelagh [aged 31] and Katherine Boyle Viscountess Ranelagh [aged 25].

In 1643 [his grandfather] Roger Jones 1st Viscount Ranelagh [aged 54] died. His son Arthur [aged 33] succeeded 2nd Viscount Ranelagh. [his mother] Katherine Boyle Viscountess Ranelagh [aged 27] by marriage Viscountess Ranelagh.

On 28th October 1662 Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 21] and Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh [aged 29] were married.

In 1663 Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 21] was elected Fellow of the Royal Society.

In 1665 [his daughter] Elizabeth Jones Countess Kildare was born to Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 23] and [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh [aged 32]. She married 12th June 1684 her second cousin John Fitzgerald 18th Earl of Kildare, son of Wentworth Fitzgerald 17th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth Holles Countess Kildare.

On 7th January 1670 [his father] Arthur Jones 2nd Viscount Ranelagh [aged 60] died. His son Richard [aged 28] succeeded Viscount Ranelagh. [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh [aged 37] by marriage Viscountess Ranelagh.

In 1672 [his daughter] Catherine Jones was born to Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 30] and [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh [aged 39].

Around 1673 [his daughter] Frances Jones was born to Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 31] and [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh [aged 40]. She married 23rd April 1698 her second cousin Thomas Coningsby 1st Earl Coningsby and had issue.

In 1674 Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 32] was created 1st Earl Ranelagh. [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh [aged 41] by marriage Countess Ranelagh.

Before 7th December 1680 Peter Lely [aged 62]. Portrait of Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 39].

In 1683 John Stawell 2nd Baron Stawell [aged 14] and Margaret Cecil Countess Ranelagh [aged 11] were married. She the daughter of James Cecil 3rd Earl Salisbury [aged 35] and Margaret Manners Countess of Salisbury.

On 12th June 1684 John Fitzgerald 18th Earl of Kildare [aged 23] and Elizabeth Jones Countess Kildare [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Countess Kildare. She the daughter of Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 43] and Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh [aged 51]. He the son of Wentworth Fitzgerald 17th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth Holles Countess Kildare. They were second cousins.

On 8th August 1689 Ralph Stawell 1st Baron Stawell [aged 48] died at Low Ham, Somerset. His son John [aged 20] succeeded 2nd Baron Stawell of Somerton in Somerset. Margaret Cecil Countess Ranelagh [aged 17] by marriage Baroness Stawell of Somerton in Somerset.

On 3rd December 1691 [his mother] Katherine Boyle Viscountess Ranelagh [aged 76] died.

On 1st August 1695 [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh [aged 62] died.

On 9th January 1696 Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 54] and Margaret Cecil Countess Ranelagh [aged 24] were married. She by marriage Countess Ranelagh. The difference in their ages was 30 years. She the daughter of James Cecil 3rd Earl Salisbury and Margaret Manners Countess of Salisbury.

On 23rd April 1698 [his son-in-law] Thomas Coningsby 1st Earl Coningsby [aged 41] and Frances Jones [aged 25] were married. She the daughter of Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 57] and Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh. They were second cousins.

On 5th January 1712 Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 70] died. His daughter Catherine Jones [aged 40] inherited Ranelagh House.

On 21st February 1728 Margaret Cecil Countess Ranelagh [aged 56] died.

Grammont. Mrs. Middleton was the first whom he attacked: she was one of the handsomest women in town, though then little known at court: so much of the coquette as to discourage no one: and so great was her desire of appearing magnificently, that she was ambitious to vie with those of the greatest fortunes, though unable to support the expense. All this suited the Chevalier de Grammont; therefore, without trifling away his time in useless ceremonies, he applied to her porter for admittance, and chose one of her lovers for his confidant.

This lover, who was not deficient in wit, was at that time a Mr. Jones, afterwards Earl of Ranelagh: what engaged him to serve the Chevalier de Grammont, was to traverse the designs of a most dangerous rival, and to relieve himself from an expense which began to lie too heavy upon him. In both respects the Chevalier answered his purpose.

Immediately spies were placed, letters and presents flew about: he was received as well as he could wish: he was permitted to ogle: he was even ogled again: but this was all: he found that the fair one was very willing to accept, but was tardy in making returns. This induced him, without giving up his pretensions to her, to seek his fortune elsewhere.