Emily Harriet Labouchere (1844 - 1933)
Emily was the third child and third daughter of Henry Labouchere and Frances Baring, known to family and friends as "Lily".
I have not finished writing the full biography for Emily, so the text below includes some newspaper transcriptions and quotes that offer basic information and insight into her life and character.
("The Sun" 28 Jun 1844, page 4):
On the 24th inst., at Datchet, the wife of the Right Hon. Henry Labouchere, M.P., of a daughter.
("Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser" 30 Apr 1856, page 3):
The Right Hon. Henry and Lady Mary Labouchere, and the Misses Mary and Mina, and Emily Labouchere, had the honour of receiving invitations to the Royal Juvenile Ball given by Her Majesty, on Friday evening.
("The Linings of Life" by Walburga, Lady Paget, Hurst & Blackett, Ltd., 1928, page 233):
Rome 1874.
The Bagots were a numerous family; Constance, the one who used to ride with us, was my particular friend. She was dreadfully plain and very silent, but she was a dear girl and rode better than almost anybody I knew. There was a whole clique of other relations of theirs, Lady Taunton and her stepdaughter, Lily Labouchere, who married Lord St. Germains, and several others. They were much addicted to looking for marbles and attending afternoon teas, interspersed with religious ceremonies. When the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland came with their children they further increased this family party. Florence and Tarbat used to ride with us. Her care for this brother, whom she knew to be somewhat deficient, was very touching, and when she left with her parents and he would not leave Rome she recommended him to our care.
("Portrait of a Family: The Gladstones, 1839-1889" by Penelope Gladstone, 1989, page 97):
[Referring to the engagement of William Henry Gladstone and Hon. Gertrude Stuart, married 30 Sep 1875.]
Mr. Shaw-Stewart calls her far the brightest, pleasantest, nicest, and most pliable of the lot. (You know they have rather a name for obstinacy.) Alas, we hear from behind the scenes from her great friend, Lily Labouchere, that she really cared for Willy the season before last, and that since her engagement to him it has been a joke in the family . . .
("Northwich Guardian" 10 Sep 1881, page 2):
A marriage will shortly take place between the Earl of St. Germans and the Hon. Emily Labouchere, third daughter of Lady Taunton. The ceremony will probably be solemnized at St Peter's, Eaton-square, towards the end of next month.
("Truth" 27 Oct 1881, page 536):
There was great rejoicings at St. Germans last week, in honour of the marriage of Lord St. Germans with the Hon. Emily Labouchere. The bells were rung all day on Tuesday, and 800lb. of beef was given away to the work-people on the estate, as well as large quantities of tea and cake. Lord and Lady St. Germans went to pass the early days of their honeymoon at Quantock Lodge, in West Somerset, the residence of the Hon. Mrs. Stanley, the bride's sister, whence they have since gone on to Port Eliot.
("The Linings of Life" by Walburga, Lady Paget, Hurst & Blackett, Ltd., 1928, page 339):
Autumn '82 and '83.
I was delighted to see again Lily Labouchere, supremely happy in married life, as Countess of St. Germans, with her excellent husband. She had found him when he was fifty, and though he was the colour of a poppy, and had only one eye and was deaf, their union was blessed by a son and heir some years later. I had known him as Mr. Eliot at Berlin [sic. -- she confused Henry with his brother, William, 4th Earl St. Germans] when he was a diplomat, and it was when Lord Russell promoted him that some wag remarked: "Having promoted all the Elliots with two L's (who were his connections), he now begins to promote those with one L."
("Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette" 10 May 1883, page 6):
On Saturday the Countess of St. Germans gave birth to a daughter (stillborn) at 13, Grosvenor-gardens.
("Western Morning News" 01 Sep 1885, page 1):
St. Germans.– August 30th, at 13, Grosvenor-gardens, London, the Countess of St. Germans, of a son, both doing well.
("Western Morning News" 6 Aug 1887, page 5):
The Earl and Countess of St. Germans arrived at Port Eliot last evening from their town residence, 13, Grosvenor-gardens. The bells of the parish church rang out merrily on their arrival.
("Cornishman" 19 Jun 1890, page 7):
The Countess of St Germans gave birth to a son on Wednesday. Lord and Lady St Germans are so deservedly popular with every class of people in the nieghbourhood of their Cornish home that the interesting event has caused the greatest satisfaction. Before this his lordship's family consisted of only one son, Lord Eliot, who was born 30th August, 1885.
("Western Times" 23 Jan 1901, page 2):
Lord and Lady St Germans had a party at Port Eliot, Cornwall, last week for their children's fancy dress ball, which took place on Thursday night in the round room. Numerous guests came from Lanhydrock, Boconnoc, and other country seats in the neighbourhood.
("Royal Cornwall Gazette" 27 Jun 1901, page 4):
Monday was the birthday of Lady St. Germans, daughter and one of the co-heiresses of the late Lord Taunton. Lady St. Germans, who is small and slight, and much resembles her sister, Lady Ellis, married Lord St. Germans in 1881, and has two sons. The eldest, Lord Eliot, is sixteen. Port Eliot, the family seat of the St. Germans, is a very fine house, but built rather in a hollow. Princess Henry of Battenberg and other members of the Royal Family have on various occasions been guests at Port Eliot.
("Exeter and Plymouth Gazette" 21 Jan 1903, page 4):
Lord and Lady St. Germans gave a fancy-dress ball at Port Eliot, their seat in Cornwall, on Thursday night. Parties were brought by Lady Clifden from Lanhydrock, by Lady Charles Scott from Admiralty House, Devonport, and by Lady Jackson from Pounds. The Round Room was arranged for dancing, and was beautifully decorated. Supper was served in the large dining-room. Most of the county families in East Cornwall were represented, and the costumes were very handsome and varied.
"Exeter and Plymouth Gazette" 6 Aug 1906, page 2:
The Earl and Countess of St. Germans left 17, Grosvenor-gardens, on Saturday for Port Eliot, where, on the 30th inst., they will celebrate the coming of age of Lord Eliot, their eldest son.
"Cornishman" 25 Oct 1906, page 6:
Lord and Lady St. Germans, who have been residing since the end of July at Port Eliot, removed on Thursday to Down Ampney House, their place in Gloucestershire, where festivities are being held in celebration of their silver wedding.
Photos of the Silver Wedding Celebration mentioned above were taken, as well as extensive reports written for the local papers. Click on the buttons below to view the photos or read the articles.
("West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser" 06 Jun 1907, page 4):
Lord and Lady St. Germans have returned to Grosvenor Gardens after spending a fortnight at Port Eliot, the family seat in Cornwall. They are going to the seaside, probably to Eastbourne, towards the end of July, and will in all likelihood stay afterwards for a short time at Down Ampney, their place in Gloucestershire, before returning to Port Eliot for the autumn.
("Royal Cornwall Gazette" 24 Mar 1910, page 4):
The Countess of St. Germans will make her first public appearance next week since the tragic death of Lord Eliot, when she receives purses at the Guildhall, Plymouth, for the benefit of the Benevolent Fund of the National Union of Teachers, which holds a conference, the opening day being March 31st.
("Cornishman" 30 Dec 1915, page 2):
The Cornish people – and are there any so keen on what redounds to the honour of their own county? – are just delighted because Queen Mary has contributed two petticoats, worked by herself, to the Cornish Needlework Guild. One of the presiding geniuses of the Guild is Lady St. Germans, who is now staying at Port Eliot – the family seat close to St. Germans. — "The Gentlewoman"
("Western Morning News" 19 Dec 1918. page 5):
A successful sale of work and jumble sale, organized by the Dowager Countess of St. Germans, was held at Port Eliot on Tuesday. The proceeds, amounting to nearly 100 pounds, will be devoted to Port Eliot Red Cross working party.
("Illustrated London News" 15 Apr 1922, page 23):
Another sad recent occurrence is the death of the Earl of St. Germans. He was a tremendous favourite . . . Great sympathy is felt with the widow and also with the mother of the late Earl. The Dowager Countess has seen much trouble, and is a gentle and sweet-natured little lady, who was the daughter of the first and last Lord Taunton, and has for years been given greatly to good works.
("Western Morning News" 19 Oct 1933, page 8):
DEATH OF LADY ST. GERMANS
Widely Loved and Respected.
Passing at Age of 89 Years.
“The Western Morning News” regrets to announce that the death took place at her residence, Penmadown, St. Germans, yesterday afternoon of Emily Harriet, Countess of St. Germans, at the age of 89.
Her ladyship was taken seriously ill on Good Friday last, but recovered sufficiently to get out of doors and resume her keen interest in all the affairs of the neighbourhood. The last public function at which she appeared was a church fete at the beginning of September.
Sincere concern for every kind of good work in the St. Germans district made her widely loved and respected, and her passing will be deeply felt.
The Countess of St. Germans, was the daughter of the first Baron Taunton. Her marriage to the late Henry Cornwallis, 5th Earl of St. Germans, took place in 1881. Her husband, who was in the Royal Bavy from 1848 to 1853, and in the Foreign Office from 1855 to 1881, died in 1911.
Removed to Penmadown.
He was succeeded in the title by his son, the late John Granville Cornwallis, and the countess removed her residence from the family seat at Port Eliot, St. Germans, to Penmadown.
The sixth earl died at Johannesburg in 1922, after distinguishing himself in the Great War. The present earl is his cousin, and nephew of the late Countess.
The Countess was founder and president of the St. Germans and District Nursing Association, and also of the Cornish Needlework Guild. In 1925 she opened a nurse’s cottage, erected as a memorial to her son, the sixth earl by his family, his tenants, officers, and N.C.O.s of his regiment (the Royal Scots Greys), followers of the various Hunts in the district, and other friends. With her husband she built the Eliot Hall as a memorial to Lord Eliot.
She took an active part in the affairs of St. Germans Church, where she was at one time churchwarden. Up to the time of her death she was a member of the Church Council.
Her ladyship was formerly a school manager, and acted as vice-president for South-East Cornwall Unionist Association, St. Germans Reading Room, St. Germans Cottage Garden Society, and St. Germans Mothers’ Union. The funeral will take place on Saturday afternoon at St. Germans Church.
("Western Morning News" 24 Oct 1933, page 7):
ST. GERMANS LOSS
VICAR'S TRIBUTE TO THE LATE COUNTESS
Tribute to the late Countess of St. Germans, whose funeral was reported in yesterday's "Western Morning News," was paid by the vicar of St. Germans, Rev. G.M. Webster, in his sermon on Sunday.
"She found," he said, "her help and inspiration in this church, which she loved so well, and which bears so much evidence of her love and thought for its welfare. Only a fortnight ago she chose a frontal and vestments, which have not yet been completed, for use in the church. Here she brought her sorrows and joys, and took the Lord's own presence and charity away with her. If you wish to keep sacred the memory of a great lady, you must try to do what she did, and make the place of your abode Christ's own."
Two portraits of Emily, Countess of St. Germans, are still in the family collection at Port Eliot – the earliest being from 1874 and painted by Sir William Richmond. The second is a large portrait of the Countess with her oldest son, Lord Eliot (painted by Miss Merrick in 1889). There are also a number of photographs surviving in the family albums.
