George Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax

George Montagu was the son of Edward Montagu of Horton and his wife Elizabeth Pelham daughter of Sir John Pelham, 3rd Baronet. He succeeded his father in 1690, and received the post then of Warden and chief forester of Salcey forest, Northamptonshire, which he held for the rest of his life. He was educated at Eton College in 1698. From 1701 to 1704, he travelled abroad through Italy, Austria, Holland, Budapest, Belgrade and Constantinople.[1] He was a paternal great-grandson of Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester.

George Montagu married twice:

• Ricarda Posthuma Saltonstale (~1689–1711) on 8 April 1706; together they had one daughter
  • Lucy who married Francis North and their son in turn was
    • Frederick North, Lord North, Prime Minister, 1770–1782.
• Lady Mary Lumley (1690–1726),[n 1] on about 28 June 1712. Together they had seven or more children including:
  • Lady Frances, m. Sir Roger Burgoyne, 6th Baronet
  • Lady Mary, m. Sir Danvers Osborn, 3rd Baronet
  • George, Lord Sunbury who inherited his father's titles in 1739.

Montagu was returned unopposed as Member of Parliament for Northampton with the support of Christopher Montagu at the 1705 English general election. He was returned again at the 1708 British general election, the 1710 British general election and at the 1713 British general election. In 1714 he was appointed appointments Auditor of the Exchequer, which he held for the rest of his life. He was made a Privy Councillor on 27 November 1717, Lord Justice in 1720 and Keeper/Ranger of Bushy Park. He was appointed a Knight, Order of the Bath (K.B.) in 1725.[1]

Horton House 1935, as extended, and just before demolition

Bushy House from an 1827 book illustration

Extract from Gentleman's Magazine: Map of London & Environs, 1764 noting his son's ownership of various lodges in and adjoining Bushy Park, Hampton and Teddington, Middlesex

His family's seat was Horton House, Horton, Northamptonshire which was demolished in 1936.

As Ranger of Bushy Park, Halifax had built (1714–1715) and sometimes inhabited 'Upper Lodge' or 'New Lodge', today a function building of the National Physical Laboratory, on the north-west side of the park in its Teddington part. This was in the first two years of the reign of George II just as he acceded to his titles. The property passed to his son, followed by Lord North, his eldest daughter's son.[2]

George's uncle, Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax, a childless widower, ensured his titles would pass to George (being the eldest son of his eldest brother), and gave him most of his estate. George succeeded his uncle as second Baron Halifax under its special remainder.

A few weeks after succeeding, Gerge was created Earl of Halifax and Viscount Sunbury, reviving the other titles which had been created the previous year for his uncle. Two years later he was sworn of Privy Council.

George Montagu died in 1739 and was succeeded in the titles by his son George.

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