Biography of Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford 1676-1745

On 26th August 1676 Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford was born to [his father] 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 18th November 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). He married 26th March 1724 Margaret Rolle Countess Orford and had issue.

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

Before 25th July 1713 [his brother-in-law] Charles Townshend 2nd Viscount Townsend (age 39) and [his sister] Dorothy Walpole Viscountess Townsend (age 26) were married. She by marriage Viscountess Townsend.

On 24th September 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). After his death in 1797 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. This fifth child, Horace, was born some eleven years after this elder siblings who were born 1701-1706.

On 21st July 1720 [his brother] Horatio Walpole 1st Baron Walpole (age 41) and [his sister-in-law] Mary Magdalen Lombard (age 25) were married.

In 1723 [his illegitimate daughter] Maria Walpole was born illegitimately to Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 46) and [his future wife] Maria Skerritt (age 21). She was legitimated after her parents marriage. She married 1746 Charles Churchill and had issue.

On 14th September 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 26th March 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 [his wife] Catherine Shorter (age 42).

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

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

On 29th March 1726 [his sister] Dorothy Walpole Viscountess Townsend (age 39) died although the circumstances are somewhat mysterious; possibly smallpox.

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

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

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

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

On 3rd March 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 4th June 1738 [his wife] Maria Skerritt (age 36) died.

Diary of Viscount Egmont afterwards Earl Egmont 1741. 20th January 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 6th February 1742 Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford (age 65) was created 1st Earl Orford.

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

Before 28th May 1745 Johnathan "The Elder" Richardson (age 78). Portrait of Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford. Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery.

[his daughter] Mary Walpole was born to Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford. She married 14th September 1723 George Cholmondeley 3rd Earl Cholmondeley, son of George Cholmondeley 2nd Earl Cholmondeley and Elisabeth van Ruytenburgh Baroness Newborough and Newburgh, and had issue.

[his daughter] Katherine Walpole was born to Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford and Catherine Shorter.