Sir William Edward Hercules Verner, 3rd Baronet (11 January 1855 – 8 June 1886) was a British
baronet
A baronet ( or ; abbreviated Bart or Bt) or the female equivalent, a baronetess (, , or ; abbreviation Btss), is the holder of a baronetcy, a hereditary title awarded by the British Crown. The title of baronet is mentioned as early as the 14th ...
. He studied at Eton. From his father, he inherited Churchill estates in Ireland and a home at Eaton Square in London. He died at the age of 30 of cirrhosis of the liver without issue, although he had a stepson he cared for.
Early life
Verner was born the son of
Sir William Verner, 2nd Baronet
Sir William Verner, 2nd Baronet (4 April 1822 – 10 January 1873), was a British soldier and Conservative Party politician.
Sir William Verner was the son of Sir William Verner, 1st Baronet, and of Harriet Wingfield, daughter of Colonel Edwar ...
and his wife Mary Pakenham. He was baptised at home due to illness.
His early education is unknown, but it is theorised that he may have had a tutor as a child. From 1870 to 1872, Verner attended
Eton College
Eton College ( ) is a Public school (United Kingdom), public school providing boarding school, boarding education for boys aged 13–18, in the small town of Eton, Berkshire, Eton, in Berkshire, in the United Kingdom. It has educated Prime Mini ...
. His father died in 1873 and William was to inherit his father's estate when he married or turned 21 years of age. In the meantime, William's father's provided for two homes for the boy, who was known known as Billy, and his mother: one was the Churchill house or mansion in Northern Ireland and the other was at
Eaton Square
Eaton Square is a rectangular, residential garden square in London's Belgravia district. It is the largest Squares in London, square in London. It is one of the three squares built by the landowning Grosvenor family when they developed the main ...
in London, where his mother liked to live.
His guardian arranged for a "Grand Tour" that included China, Australia and America when he became 18. He was accompanied by a Mr Greenslade.
Marriage and adult life
Billy met a woman and her son, Miss Annie Wilson and Harry, from Melbourne, Australia, and soon after becoming 21, he married her on 29 January 1877. Annie was the daughter of John Wilson, Esquire of
Melbourne
Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...
, Australia. The family, though, "was not pleased" with the marriage.
They entertained "lavishly" and travelled between their homes at Churchill and Eaton Square. Within nine years of inheriting his father's estate, William took out a loan for £60,000.
Harry took the surname Verner, received a private education and attended Eton from 1882 to 1884.
He died at 30 years of age on 8 June 1886 of cirrhosis of the liver and was buried at
Loughgall
Loughgall ( ; ) is a small village, townland (of 131 acres) and Civil parishes in Ireland, civil parish in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It is in the historic Barony (Ireland), baronies of Armagh (barony), Armagh and Oneilland West. It had a ...
in Ireland.
William mentioned his stepson in his will. There were no other children.
Annie inherited his estate and died 2 years after her husband. They were interred in the same tomb.
Arms
See also
*
Verner baronets
The Verner Baronetcy, of Verner's Bridge in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, was a title in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 22 July 1846 for the soldier and politician William Verner. The second and fourth Baronets both r ...
References
1855 births
1886 deaths
Baronets in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom
People educated at Eton College
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