Dukes of Buckingham and Chandos: Gamon Family

A Gamon family were in Datchworth, Broadwater Hundred in Hertfordshire, and held the manor there from 1620 to 1693 (VCH Hertfordshire III, 78-81).

Richard Gamon & Elizabeth Grace

The following note was found in the dairy of James Brydges, 3rd Duke of Chandos for 1788:

27 March 1787. Mr Gamon died aged 72, was buried at Keynsham next Mrs Gamon who died in Octr 1779. (HEH ST 109 vol. 4)

Two known children:

Sir Richard Grace Gamon

Sir Richard Grace Gamon, 1st Baronet, son of Richard Gamon and Elizabeth Grace. Uncle of first Duchess.

Born 14 August 1748
MP for Winchester
With his first wife, was guardian to Mary Buchanan

First marriage

His first wife is referred to in letters only as "Mrs Gamon." She died at Weymouth between 3 August 1794 & 5 August 1794. She had been ill since 30 March 1794 or before (BRO D-FR/46/8/11):

We have now commenced our tour & I have the satisfaction of thinking she deserves benefit from the Change of Air therefore could not deny myself the Pleasure of informing you how we all were, knowing how anxiously you feel for my Dear Mrs Gamon. Frequent change of air has been particularly recommended, therefore we mean to adhere to that Plan and are now on our way to Weymouth & then to Sidmouth, that Coast having many places where we can have the advantage of Sea Air. (Richard Grace Gamon to Anna Eliza Brydges; HEH STG Correspondence Box 7 (02); 29 July 1794)

We returned to Town last night... Mr Gamon is very indifferent indeed. I am afraid that it will be a long time before he recovers his severe & heavy loss. He desires his most affectionate regards to you, believe me I am grateful for your kind expressions of condolence & Friendship in your letters to me. My loss is indeed... most severely felt by me. I will not distress you by dwelling on this melancholy subject. Excuse this scrawl but I am unwell. (Mary Buchanan to Richard Temple; HEH STG Correspondence Box 68 (40); 6 August 1794)

Second marriage

2 July 1796 to Lady Amelia Murray (3 July 1763 to 20 October 1806), daughter of Charlotte (Baroness Strange) and John Murray (3rd Duke of Atholl, 1764-1765). She was previously married to an army officer, Thomas Ivie Cooke. Amelia Murray died 8 April 1818 at Winchester.

Charlotte Gamon

Daughter of Sir Richard Grace Gamon and Lady Amelia Murray.

Born: 12 October 1797 (HL STG Personal Box 23 (24))
Died: 16 May 1835. (Description of her death.)

She did not marry but was apparently in love with Percy Grace. He made a note for his diary after her death:

Miss Gamon died on the 16^th of November 1835. Aged 37 years, 7 months and 4 days. (HEH STG Personal Box 23 (24))

On her father's death, her uncle John Murray (1793-1828; 4th Duke of Atholl), refused to support her. Richard Temple reacted with fury and generosity, giving her an annuity of £400 a year in addition to £400 she was already to receive (see letter).

Grace and Gamon Surnames

Number of Surnames by County in 1881

Source: British 19th Century Surname Atlas. Archer Software.