Mary Hervey

Mary Hervey, Lady Hervey (née Lepell), was born circa 1700 and died on 2 September 1768. She was an English courtier and member of the British aristocracy. Her parents were Brigadier-General Nicholas Wedig Lepell and Mary Brooke, daughter and co-heiress of John Brooke of Rendlesham, Suffolk. Her tombstone records her birth date as 26 September 1700, although baptism records indicate she was born on 16 September 1699. Her father was born in Germany, and he served as a page of honour to Prince George of Denmark. He married Mary Brooke in 1698, and in 1699 obtained naturalisation. He was commissioned to raise a new regiment in April 1705 and achieved the rank of brigadier-general in January 1710, later becoming the Supreme Commander of the British Forces in Spain until 1712.

In 1715, through family connections, Mary Lepell was appointed a maid of honour to Queen Caroline. A letter from the Duchess of Marlborough, dated December 1737, mentions that Mary was made a cornet by her father in his regiment shortly after her birth, and that she received a pension from King George I, as she was considered "extreme forward and pert." It was noted that she was active in military ranks and received recognition for her wit and beauty.

At court, Mary Lepell gained recognition for her wit and beauty, sharing honors with peers such as Mary Bellenden, later wife of the Duke of Argyll. She was praised by figures including Alexander Pope, Jonathan Gay, William Pulteney, and Philip Dormer Stanhope. Horace Walpole, who corresponded with her later in life and dedicated his "Anecdotes of Painting in England" to her in 1762, consistently spoke of her with respect.

Her marriage to John Hervey, who later became the 2nd Baron Hervey of Ickworth, was announced as occurring on 25 October 1720, though it likely took place earlier, with records indicating the marriage occurred by April 1720. Their marriage was described as involving "ardent affection." The couple had eight children: Lady Mary Hervey, Hon. George William Hervey (later 3rd Baron Hervey and 2nd Earl of Bristol), Lady Lepell Hervey, Hon. Augustus John Hervey (later 3rd Earl of Bristol), Hon. Frederick Augustus Hervey (later 4th Earl of Bristol), General Hon. William Hervey, Lady Amelia Caroline Nassau Hervey, and Lady Caroline Hervey. Despite her husband's infidelity, Lady Hervey maintained a amicable relationship with him and was known to be an attentive mother. She was reportedly a supporter of the Stuarts and suffered from gout while retaining long-lasting personal attractiveness.

Her connections and reputation extended into intellectual circles, with Chesterfield advising his son in 1750 to seek her counsel, noting her extensive knowledge, language skills, and breeding. She died at the age of 68 and was buried at Ickworth, Suffolk. Her epitaph was written by Horace Walpole.

Lady Hervey was a prolific letter writer. Her correspondence with Rev. Edmund Morris, written between 1742 and 1768, was published in 1821. Additional letters to the Countess of Suffolk are included in "Lady Suffolk’s Letters" (1824). Portraits of her exist at the National Trust at Ickworth and in other collections, including a painting by Allan Ramsay formerly part of Strawberry Hill. Engravings of miniature portraits are also preserved, with some in Walpole's "Letters."