|
<< Back to the main Local History page
by Aoife Tierney -Published by Society for Old Lucan (SOL) on May 4, 2026
Elizabeth Vesey 1715-1791
Elizabeth Vesey was the daughter of Rt. Rev. Sir Thomas Vesey, 1st Bt. and Mary Muschamp. In 1731 at 16, she married William Handcock, (son of /William Handcock and Susan Warburton) who died in 1741. In 1746, she married her cousin, Agmondisham Vesey, (son of Rt. Hon. Agmondisham Vesey and Jane Pottinger). They had no children.
The Vesey's spent the summer months in London socialising and the winter months in Dublin where Elizabeth worked on their new residence, Lucan House, designed by her husband. They also had a townhouse in Molesworth Street in the city as well as an estate in Hollymount, Co. Mayo and a residence in Allenswood, Co. Kildare.
Elizabeth Vesey of Lucan House, Bluestocking co-founder. As described by her friend Elizabeth Montagu 'She has been very busy in embellishing the Elysian fields of Lucan, so the inside decorations will be reserved for her winters amusement'. The house had been designed by her husband with assistance from architect William Chambers.
Elizabeth co-founded The Bluestockings society with Elizabeth Montagu in the 1750's. She was a member of high society in London and held salons where they discussed literature and arts. They lived in the fashionable area of Mayfair, specifically Bolton Row and later Clariges Street. She had a nickname of 'The Sylph' and was described as impulsive and impractical and seemed to have quite an anxious and nervous disposition, however, as a hostess she put her guests comfort first and tended to stay in the background of conversation to ensure everyone was included.
Although her husband was shamelessly unfaithful, Elizabeth took care of him during his periods of illness as he suffered from epilepsy (or as they called it 'The falling sickness') and probably gout. When he died, he left her next to nothing. The Lucan estate was left to his nephew, Col. George Vesey (who had a daughter-in-law called Elizabeth Vesey). To add insult to injury he had even made provisions in his will for a generous allowance to his mistress. This took a serious toll on Elizabeth. Elizabeth had a constant companion in Miss Handcock who was a sister of her first husband. From correspondence with her friend Elizabeth Montagu we know a lot about her life at the time, even down to the fact that she and Miss Handcock had a combined income of 900 pounds. We also know that it was the generosity of her nephew that provided them with a carriage.
After Agmondisham's death, the two ladies went to live in a Chelsea villa belonging to Lord Cremorne (Thomas Dawson - who also had a mother called Elizabeth Vesey!) There, Miss Handcock looked after Elizabeth in her declining mental state. Miss Handcock died in 1789 plunging Elizabeth into a deep depression and eventually dementia, she died 2 years later.
(To read an academic discussion of Elizabeth Vesey's books in her library, and correspondence,
https://oajournals.fupress.net/index.php/bsfm-sijis/article/view/7198/7196)
An etching of Lucan House from 1782, featuring a landscape scene with a house, trees, and a stone bridge, depicting countryside life in the area near Dublin.
Viscountess Elizabeth (Vesey) Pery c 1733 to 1821
Our second Elizabeth Vesey was born circa 1735. She was the daughter of John Denny Vesey, 1st Baron Knapton and Elizabeth Brownlow. In 1751, she married Robert Handcock, son of Gustavus Handcock and Elizabeth Temple. She was also a niece of the socialite Elizabeth Vesey.
Portrait of Edmund Sexton Pery, painted by Gilbert Stuart, showcasing a man in 18th-century attire with a light blue wig and a thoughtful expression.
In 1762, she married Edmond Sexten (Sexton) Pery, 1st and last Viscount Pery of Newtown-Pery, son of Reverend Stackpole Pery and Jane Twigge. Pery was a barrister, MP and Speaker of the House. They had 2 daughters, Diana Jane and Frances. Unfortunately, we don't have a portrait of this Elizabeth.
Both of our Elizabeth's would have crossed paths in London and Dublin as they were neighbours, as well as aunt and niece.
Elizabeth Pery lived in a villa next door to Lucan House estate named Edmundspery after her husband, better known today as St. Edmundsbury.
Pery built the house at Edmundsbury in the late 18th century from his own design as he was involved in urban planning and architecture. His architect of choice was Francis Bindon whose style may have influenced his design. It is likely he would have consulted with William Chambers as he had worked with Agmondisham Vesey on the design of Lucan house next door.
The Pery's had a residence at Park St., Mayfair, approximately 1km from the Vesey's home and during the height of his political career they also had a house on Sackville St. (now O'Connell St.) In one of her 1782 letters, Elizabeth Montagu mentioned that the Vesey's were returning to Mr Pery's house in Dublin. In another entry, this time in a diary by Mary Hamilton, on May 11th 1783, she mentions going to Claridges St and meeting the Pery's and their two daughters at the Vesey's home as well as (amongst others) Elizabeth Montagu and Horace Walpole.
Both Elizabeth's were hostesses, and while the Bluestocking Society meeting were about art and literature, Countess Pery's role was more focused on entertaining the political high society of the time.
Both ladies were twice married and their first husbands were a Handcock of Waterstown, Co. Westmeath. Elizabeth (Vesey) Pery outlived her husband by 15 years, passing away on 4 April 1821 at 88 years of age.
Front view of St. Edmundsbury House, showcasing its architectural features and landscaped surroundings.
|
