Transcript

of

Charles Hugh Clifford [Obituary]

Trans. Devon Assoc., 1881, Vol XIII, pp. 63-64.

by

Rev. W. Harpley, M.A.

Prepared by Michael Steer

Baron Clifford of Chudleigh is a title created in 1672 for Thomas Clifford. The title was created as "Clifford of Chudleigh" rather than simply "Clifford" to differentiate it from several other Clifford Baronies previously created for members of this ancient family, including the Barony of de Clifford (1299), which is extant but now held by a branch line of the Russell family, having inherited through several female lines. Baron Clifford of Chudleigh is still the senior surviving male representative of the ancient Norman family which later took the name de Clifford and that arrived in England during the Norman Conquest . The family seat is Ugbrooke Park. The article, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Charles Hugh Clifford, of Chudleigh, Baron, son of the 7th Baron, and Count of the Holy Roman Empire, was born 27th July, 1819, and died, after many months of patient suffering, on 5th August, 1880. He was educated at Stonyhurst and Prior Park, Bath; and finally studied for two years at Munich. He then travelled in India and the East for about two years. He succeeded to the title in February, 1858, having married Agnes Louisa Catherine, youngest daughter of William, Lord Petre, on September 30th, 1845.

Lord Clifford joined the Devonshire Association in 1873, and was a Vice-President at the Teignmouth meeting, when the Earl of Devon presided. That was the only time when Lord Clifford attended the meetings; but he always expressed a warm interest in the Association, and would have been present at the Ilfracombe meeting if it had been possible. Those who knew the late Lord Clifford well, knew what was not so generally known from his simple and retiring habits, that his intelligence and reading eminently qualified him to enter into the subjects dealt with by the Devonshire Association for the promotion of Science, Literature, and Art. Its members felt a just pride in having his name amongst them.

And those, it may be permitted us to say, who had any opportunity of observing his inner life, could not, however they might differ from him, fail to see and admire the high religious tone which guided his daily conduct, and made all intercourse with him a privilege. For the great change, that came early to him, his family motto was eminently true, semper paratus.