Marchioness of Ely and her children
(1821-1890, 1849-1889 and 1846-1933)
1 August 1862
Volume 9, page 19, sitting number 11,073.
Born on 3 December 1821, Jane Hope-Vere was the daughter of James Joseph Hope-Vere and Lady Elizabeth née Hay. On 29 October 1844 she married John Henry Loftus, from 1845 the third Marquess of Ely. He died in 1857. After her marriage she developed friendships with Queen Sophie of the Netherlands and later with the Empress Eugénie. She also became a close companion of Queen Victoria, whom she first served as a Lady of the Bedchamber in 1851. She died on 11 June 1890 at her residence, 22 Wilton Place in Knightsbridge; she was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery. Queen Victoria wrote in her journal ‘God knows what an awful loss she is to me. She was absolutely devoted to me and we were so intimate.’
'Lady Ely became in 1851 a Lady of the Bedchamber, and for more than thirty years she was the Queen's bosom friend, companion and confidante. She was a member of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert. A large amount of the Queen's private correspondence passed through her hands; and three years ago she undertook a journey to India in order to transact some business in which the Queen was specially interested. Since that time her health rapidly declined, and she resigned office last year, when her Majesty made her an Extra Lady of the Bedchamber. The Queen visited her at her house in Wilton Place when she was last in London, and during her ladyship's last illness her Majesty was constant in her inquiries as to the condition of her old friend' (Berkshire Chronicle, 14 June 1890).
John Henry Wellington Graham Loftus was born on 22 November 1849. He succeeded to his estates and titles on the death of his father in 1857, becoming the 4th Marquess of Ely. On 9 December 1875 he married Caroline Anne Caithness, daughter of George Caithness. He died without issue on 3 April 1889 at the age of 39.
Lady Marion Jane Loftus was born on 25 June 1846. On 6 June 1867 she married Lieutenant George Osborn Springfield of the 5th Dragoons. This marriage ended in divorce in 1875 (he was the petitioner, citing his wife’s adultery with James Dyson Bourne, also of the 5th Dragoons). On 29 December 1875 she married secondly Captain (later Colonel Sir) James Dyson Bourne (died 1883), whom she had previously lived with ‘as his wife at Brussels and elsewhere.’ She married thirdly on 6 December 1884 Lieutenant-Colonel James John Neile Buchanan, formerly of the 5th Dragoons (died 1893). The couple appear on the 1891 census living with six servants at 21 Chester Terrace, overlooking Regent’s Park. She married fourthly on 24 October 1894 Reverend James Weller. She died on 28 October 1933 at the Milton Court Hotel, 72 Cromwell Road, South Kensington.