18-19th Cent. Elizabeth Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire.

Elizabeth Christiana was born on 13 May 1759, in Horringer, St. Edmundsbury, Suffolk, England. She was the daughter of Elizabeth Davers, Countess of Bristol and Frederick Augustus Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol (1 August 1730 - 8 July 1803). Her maternal grandparents were Margaretta Green and Sir Jermyn Davers. Her paternal grandparents were Mary Lepell and John Hervey, 2nd Baron Hervey of Ickworth. Elizabeth's parents were married on 10 August 1752, at Rushbrooke, in Suffolk. Her siblings included: Mary Caroline (1753-1842), George (1755-1765), John Augustus (1757-1796), Louisa (1767-1821) and Frederick (1769-1859). She was known as "Bess". Elizabeth married John Thomas Foster (1747 - 10 October 1796) on 2 April 1776. He was the son of Dorothy Burgh and Thomas Foster. From 1776 to 1783, Thomas Foster was a member of the Irish House of Commons for Dunleer. In 1779, when her father acceded to the Earldom of Bristol, she became Lady Elizabeth Foster.

 

The Children of Lady Elizabeth Foster and John Thomas Foster:

Frederick Foster (3 October 1777 - 1853)

Augustus Foster (December 1780 - 1848)

Elizabeth Foster (17 November 1778 - November 1778)
 

In 1781, Lady Elizabeth and John Thomas Foster were separated. Her husband retained custody of their sons. In May 1782, Lady Elizabeth met Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (7 June 1757 - 30 March 1806) and William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire (14 December 1748 - 29 July 1811) in Bath. From this time, Lady Elizabeth lived with Lady Georgiana and her husband, William. She bore two children by the Duke.
 

The Children of Lady Elizabeth and William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire:
Caroline St. Jules
Sir Augustus Clifford (1788-1877)

Her mother, Elizabeth Davers died on 19 December 1800. Lady Georgiana died on 30 March 1806. Lady Elizabeth married William Cavendish in 1809. Her husband, William Cavendish died on 29 July 1811. He was succeeded by his son as, William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire. Lady Elizabeth died aged 64, on 30 March 1824.