Biography of Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford 1676-1745

Paternal Family Tree: Walpole

On 26 Aug 1676 Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford was born to Colonel Robert Walpole (age 25) at Houghton, Norfolk.

In 1700 Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 23) and Catherine Shorter (age 18) were married. She brought dowry of £20,000.

On 18 Nov 1700 [his father] Colonel Robert Walpole (age 50) died.

In 1701 [his son] Robert Walpole 2nd Earl Orford was born to Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 24) and [his wife] Catherine Shorter (age 19).

In 1706 [his son] Edward Walpole was born to Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 29) and [his wife] Catherine Shorter (age 24).

On 24 Sep 1717 [his son] Horace Walpole 4th Earl Orford was born to Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 41) and [his wife] Catherine Shorter (age 35). Louisa Stuart wrote to her grandmother Mary Wortley-Montagu née Pierrepont (age 28) of rumours that his biological father was Carr Hervey (age 26) with whom his mother was known to be on romantic terms. The fifth child Horace Walpole 4th Earl Orford was born some eleven years after this elder siblings who were born 1701-1706.

On 14 Sep 1723 [his son-in-law] George Cholmondeley 3rd Earl Cholmondeley (age 20) and [his daughter] Mary Walpole were married. She the daughter of Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 47). He the son of George Cholmondeley 2nd Earl Cholmondeley (age 57) and Elisabeth van Ruytenburgh Baroness Newborough and Newburgh.

On 26 Mar 1724 [his son] Robert Walpole 2nd Earl Orford (age 23) and [his daughter-in-law] Margaret Rolle Countess Orford (age 15) were married. He the son of Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 47) and Catherine Shorter (age 42).

In 1726 Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 49) was appointed 545th Knight of the Garter by King George I of Great Britain and Ireland (age 65).

After 1726 Johnathan "The Elder" Richardson (age 58). Portrait of Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 49).

In 1730 William Hogarth (age 32). Arthur Onslow (age 38) inviting Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 53) to speak.

Around 1730 William Aikman (age 47). Portrait of Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 53).

On 21 Dec 1731 [his daughter] Mary Walpole died at Aix en Provence. She was buried at St Oswald's Church, Malpas [Map].

On 20 Aug 1737 [his wife] Catherine Shorter (age 55) died.

Before Mar 1738 [his illegitimate daughter] Maria Walpole was born illegitimately to Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 61) and [his future wife] Maria Skerritt (age 36). She was legitimated after her parents marriage.

On 03 Mar 1738 Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 61) and Maria Skerritt (age 36) were married. They had been companions for many years before they married. She bringing £30,000 to the marriage. She appears to have died three months later as a consequence of a miscarriage. The difference in their ages was 25 years.

On 04 Jun 1738 [his wife] Maria Skerritt (age 36) died.

Diary of Viscount Egmont afterwards Earl Egmont 1741. 20 Jan 1741. This affair prevented my attending the committee at the Georgia Office, which met to consider of the powers for the President entered to be appointed at Savannah. I learned Sir Robert Walpole (age 64) was not down at the House of Commons early enough to declare the King's consent to our petition for money, but that he came after the order of the day was called for, which was a sUght of the Trustees.

In 1742. Arthur Pond (age 37). Portrait of Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 65).

On 06 Feb 1742 Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 65) was created 1st Earl Orford.

On 18 Mar 1745 Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 68) died. His son [his son] Robert Walpole 2nd Earl Orford (age 44) succeeded 2nd Earl Orford. [his daughter-in-law] Margaret Rolle Countess Orford (age 36) by marriage Countess Orford.