Jane Stewart

Jane Spencer-Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough (born Lady Jane Stewart) was born on 29 March 1798 and died on 12 October 1844. She was the daughter of George Stewart, 8th Earl of Galloway, and Lady Jane Paget. Jane was a first cousin of George Spencer-Churchill, 6th Duke of Marlborough, as her father's sister was also the mother of the future duke.

On 13 January 1819, Jane Stewart married George Spencer-Churchill, who was then the Marquess of Blandford. At the time of their marriage, he was the heir apparent to the Duke of Marlborough and it was his first legal marriage. Prior to this, he had conducted a ceremonial marriage with Susannah Adelaide Law, which involved a false marriage ceremony with his brother, Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill serving as the officiant. This initial union might have been considered legally valid under Scottish law, as George had lived in Scotland with Susannah and one of their children. Nonetheless, he successfully legally contested this earlier marriage in court. Susannah Law received an allowance from George's mother to prevent the disclosure of his correspondence and details about their relationship. Additionally, George Spencer-Churchill had an affair with Elizabeth Conyngham, Marchioness Conyngham.

Jane and George Spencer-Churchill had four children together:

- Lady Louisa Spencer-Churchill (circa 1820–1882), who married the Honourable Robert Spencer, son of Francis Spencer, 1st Baron Spencer, and had issue.

- John Winston Spencer-Churchill, who became the 7th Duke of Marlborough (1822–1883).

- Lord Alfred Spencer-Churchill (1824–1893), who married Hon. Harriet Gough-Calthorpe, daughter of Frederick Gough, 4th Baron Calthorpe, and had issue.

- Lord Alan Spencer-Churchill (1825–1873), who married Rosalind Dowker.

George Spencer-Churchill inherited the dukedom in 1840 after the death of his father. Jane Spencer-Churchill died at Blenheim Palace at the age of 46. Her husband remarried twice after her death and fathered additional children from each subsequent marriage.