Lady Lavinia Bingham, Countess Spencer

Biography

http://www.thepeerage.com/p10143.htm#i101427

Lady Lavinia Bingham was born on 27 July 1762 at Castlebar, County Mayo, IrelandG.3 She was the daughter of Charles Bingham, 1st Earl of Lucan and Margaret Smith.1,3 She married George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer, son of John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer and Margaret Georgiana Poyntz, on 6 March 1781 at Charles Street, Mayfair, London, EnglandG.3 She died on 8 June 1831 at age 68 at Spencer House, St. James's Place, St. James's, London, EnglandG.3 She was buried at Brington, Northamptonshire, EnglandG.3

After her marriage, Lady Lavinia Bingham was styled as Viscountess Althorp on 6 March 1781. From 6 March 1781, her married name became Spencer.

After her marriage, Lady Lavinia Bingham was styled as Countess Spencer on 31 October 1783.

Cockayne writes that "she was 'a woman of great beauty and intelligence, brilliance of conversation and charm of character,' but her sister-in-law, Lady Bessborough, writes from Althorp, 9 Jan 1810, writes from Althorp of 'her cleverness (which term peculiarly suits her in every way) ... coarseness of mind, as well as of expression ... intolerance ... the most extravagant abuse, the most unsparing scrutiny. Nothing escapes: character, understanding, opinions, dress, person, age, infirmity - all fall equally under [her] scalping knife.' She also mentions Lady Spencer's 'excellent understanding ... Political Asperity ... exterminating Virtue and stern Piety.3' " Cockayne states, "the accounts of him and his wife in the Farington Diary run thus: 5 July 1794, 'Lord Spencer is considered as being very retired, as to his neighbours, in the country. He has withdrawn all political views of the Town of Northampton, and never interferes in their election ... [He] is much respected. Lady S. loves her ease, and is attached to her amusements;' and: 11 Nov 1816, 'The manner of Lord Spencer is dry; but Lady Spencer speaks upon any subject and with great confidence in Her own opinion ... she is become very large in Her person, and uses a stick while walking.3' "

Children of Lady Lavinia Bingham and George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer:

1. John Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl Spencer3 b. 30 May 1782, d. 1 Oct 1845
2. Lady Sarah Spencer+ b. 29 Jul 1787, d. 13 Apr 1870
3. Hon. Richard Spencer4 b. 18 Oct 1789, d. 20 Jan 1791
4. Captain Hon. Sir Robert Cavendish Spencer4 b. 24 Oct 1791, d. 4 Nov 1830
5. Hon. William Spencer b. c 1792
6. Lady Harriet Spencer b. 1793, d. 1793
7. Lady Georgiana Charlotte Spencer+ b. 10 Aug 1794, d. 21 Feb 1823
8. Vice-Admiral Frederick Spencer, 4th Earl Spencer+ b. 14 Apr 1798, d. 27 Dec 1857
9. Very Rev. Hon. George Spencer b. 21 Dec 1799, d. 1 Oct 1864

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References

1. http://www.geneall.net/U/per_page.php?id=86534
2. http://www.gogmsite.net/grand-ladies-of-the-reign-o/subalbum-lavini...
3. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=13869342
4. http://www.thepeerage.com/p10143.htm#i101427
   1. [S37] Charles Mosley, editor, Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes (Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003), volume 2, page 2422. Hereinafter cited as Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 107th edition.
   2. [S3409] Caroline Maubois, "re: Penancoet Family," e-mail message to Darryl Roger Lundy, 2 December 2008. Hereinafter cited as "re: Penancoet Family."
   3. [S6] G.E. Cokayne; with Vicary Gibbs, H.A. Doubleday, Geoffrey H. White, Duncan Warrand and Lord Howard de Walden, editors, The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct or Dormant, new ed., 13 volumes in 14 (1910-1959; reprint in 6 volumes, Gloucester, U.K.: Alan Sutton Publishing, 2000), volume XII/1, page 155. Hereinafter cited as The Complete Peerage.
   4. [S6] Cokayne, and others, The Complete Peerage, volume XII/1, page 157.