Sarah Ponsonby Countess of Bessborough,Vicountess Duncannon (Margeston)

First marriage to Colvill...........Family Search website states that her marriage to Colvill was in 1694 in Westminster. That means her birth year has to be earlier than 1689? Vicar General Marriage Licences Transcription shows date of marriage on 5th July, 1694. [source Findmypast.co

ROOTSWEB archived postings has this:- The following story is told of the marriage of Brabazon Ponsonby, future MP and Earl of Bessborough, which took place around 1703. Brabazon soon found himself in pecuniary difficulties from which he attempted to extricate himself by proposing to marry a rich widow then living in Dublin, a Mrs Colvill, grand-daughter of Archbishop Margetson. Mrs Colvill would have none of him and refused to listen to his importunities. Brabazon, however, resolved on a plan for making her his wife. She was awakened one morning by a band playing epithalamic airs outside her lodgings (the custom being to serenade newly married couples), and flying to the window, opened it, and beheld a great crowd cheering; at the same moment, the next window was thrown open, and Captain Brabazon Ponsonby appeared in a night-dress, smiling and thanking the people for their congratulations. He had hired a neighbouring apartment and the band, and by this ruse proclaimed that he was married to Mrs Colvill. In vain she denied the assertion; public opinion, resting on such convincing proofs, was too strong for her, and she finally gave way and bestowed her hand and fortune on the gallant officer, who left the Army.

Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland, 1888-91. pages 424-428 have these records of the family. Fiddown. ‘ The dilapidated parish church of Fiddown was pulled down some years ago, and a new one erected in its place, at Piltown. The old chancel, however, remains, and contains several interesting monuments to members of the Ponsonby family. ‘ The first of the series is to the memory of Sir John Ponsonby, the Cromwellian General from the north of England, who seems to have been enriched at the expense of the rightful owners of the property. 1. ‘ This tomb is a plain slab of Kilkenny marble, inscribed:— “ Here lies ye body of Sir John Ponsonby of Besborough who departed this life Anno J Dom 1668 in ye 60th year of his age.” 2. ‘ Then comes a tablet of white veined marble, on black Kilkenny marble, embellished with such ornaments as skulls and cross bones, hour¬ glasses run down, and a grasshopper ’ (!) 3. ‘ A tablet in black and white marble, with the Ponsonby arms impaling Moore.’ “ Here lies ye body of Mary ye wife of the Honourable Col. William Ponsonby of Bessborough granddaughter of ye Right Hon. ye Earle of Droghedah by her Father; and of ye Right Honourable ye Earle of Meath by her mother; and Her vertues were suitable to her Birth. She departed this life on the sixth day of May 1713 in ye 52 year of her age.” 4. ‘ A fine marble monument, four Corinthian columns and four pilasters supporting a pediment on which the family arms appear. Below, on a sarcophagus of dove marble, are two portrait half-length figures, hand in hand.’ “ Under this marble lie the Remains of Brabazon Ponsonby Earl of Bessborough Viscount Duncannon and Baron Bessborough in Ireland and Baron Ponsonby of Sysonby in Leicestershire in Great Britain and of Sarah his wife granddaughter and Heiress to Primate Margetson. The virtues of their Private lives need not here be recited. They are engraved in the Hearts and Minds of many who will deliver them from one Generation to another beyond the Duration of a Perishable Tomb. This Monument is Erected not as a necessary Memorial of them but as a testimony of Gratitude and Respect owing from their Son William Earl of Bessborough. He had the Honor of Serving his Majesty King George the 2nd in several Publick employments and great Trust and Dignity and departed this life July 1758 aged 81.* She died May 1733, Aged 52.” [Inscription in Roman block letters.] 6. ‘ A Gothic mural monument in Caen stone ’“ In memory of John William Ponsonby 4th Earl of Bessborough | who was born on the 31st of August 1781 and died on the 16th May 1847 while holding the office of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and of Maria, Viscountess Duncannon his wife, Daughter of John Fane 10th Earl of Westmorland who was born on the 11th May, 1787 and died on the 19th March 1834.” [Inscription in old English letters.] 7. ‘ On a streaked alabaster tablet, a group of angels and the in scription :— “ Erected by Caroline Amelia Countess of Bessborough [in loving memory of John George Brabazon Ponsonby 5th Earl of Bessborough j who was born 4 th Oc t. 1809 and died 28th Jan. 1880.” [ Lord now lettest Thou thy servant depart in peace.”] 8. “ In memory of William Wentworth Brabazon Ponsonby, second son of John William Viscount Duncannon and Maria his wife. Born December 29th, 1812. Died at sea j on board I I . M. S. Madagascar j Ju ly 8th, 1831 | and was buried at "Napoli in Greece.” 9. “ In memory of Arthur George Brabazon Ponsonby Fourth son of John William Viscount Duncannon and Maria his wife. Born May 17, 1820. Died at Bessborough October 6th, 1841.” 10. “ In memory of Frances Charlotte daughter of John George Earl of Durham and wife of The Honble. John George Brabazon Ponsonby married Sept. 7 1835 Died Dec.17 1835 in the 23rd year of her age.”

• Extract from Parish Register of Fiddown : — “ Buried July the 5th 1758, Brabazon Earl of Bessborough , who died on Tuesday July the 4th at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. H is death was occasioned bv a quantity of cherry stones, which remained in his bowels and stopped the passage. Aged 80 years.” “Multis ille quidem flebilis occidit nu lli llebilior quam m ilii.”

The above three tablets are of plain black and white marbles. The two following are of brass — 11. “Emily Charlotte Maryy Ponsonby third daughter of John William 4th Earl of Bessborough born 17th February 1817. Died 3rd February 1 877.” “Till the day breaks and the shadows flee away.” 12. “ In memoriam. Beneath this stone are laid the remains of John George Brabazon 5th Earl of Bessborough born Oct. 4th 1809 died at Bessborough Jan . 28 1880.  And also of Caroline Amelia  Countess of Bessborough his wife born 18 June 1819, died at Bessborough 30th April 1890.” “ Waiting for the adoption to wit j The redemption of our body.”

I may add that there are monuments to the memory of W illiam 2nd Earl of Bessborough, and of Caroline, his wife, daughter of W illiam 3rd Duke of Devonshire, each having a fine bust by Nollekens, in All Saints’ Church, Derby.’ ‘ I subjoin a sketch of the interesting font which was removed from the old church of Fiddown, and is now in that of Piltown ’. 1 There is a very beautiful monument, consisting of two very fine marble half-length figures of Brabazon, Earl of Bessborough, and his countess, placed 011 a sarcophagus of Egyptian marble, under a pediment of white, supported by four beautiful Corinthian columns, and four pilasters of Sienna marble.’ [Mason.]