Jemima Grey, Duchess Of Kent

Jemima Grey, Duchess of Kent (née Crew), was born in 1675 and died on 2 July 1728. She was the daughter of Thomas Crew, 2nd Baron Crew, and his second wife, Anne Armine, who was the daughter of Sir William Armine, 2nd Baronet.

In 1694, Jemima Crew married Henry Grey, who later became the 1st Duke of Kent. At the time of their marriage, Jemima was a child, and a portrait depicting her with her two sisters, Armine and Elizabeth, as children was taken. This portrait was brought to her new residence at Wrest Park and was later restored and returned by English Heritage in 2017.

Jemima and Henry Grey had at least six children. Their son Anthony Grey, styled Earl of Harold, died in 1723 and had no children, having married Lady Mary Tufton, daughter of Thomas Tufton, 6th Earl of Thanet, and Lady Catharine Cavendish. Another son, Lord Henry Grey (approximately 1696–1717), died unmarried. Their daughters included Lady Amabel Grey (1698–1726), who married John Campbell, 3rd Earl of Breadalbane and Holland, and had children; Lady Jemima Grey (circa 1699–1731), who married John Ashburnham, 1st Earl of Ashburnham, as his third wife, and had one son; Lady Anne Grey (died 20 September 1733), who married Lord Charles Cavendish and was the mother of scientist Henry Cavendish; and Lady Mary Grey (1719–1761), who married David Gregory, Dean of Christ Church, and had children.

In 1702, Jemima became Countess of Kent and Baroness Lucas of Crudwell as a result of her husband's acquisition of titles. She was further elevated to Marchioness of Kent, Countess of Harold, and Viscountess Goderich in 1706, and ultimately held the title of Duchess of Kent from 1710.

The gardens at Wrest Park, originally designed by her husband, were later expanded and remodelled by their granddaughter, Jemima Yorke, 2nd Marchioness Grey. Jemima Grey was interred in the Grey family mausoleum at St John the Baptist Church in Flitton.

Following Jemima’s death, her husband Henry Grey remarried to Sophia Bentinck and fathered additional children.