Lewis Watson, 2nd Earl Of Rockingham

Lewis Watson, 2nd Earl of Rockingham (circa 1714 – 4 December 1745), was a British peer known by the courtesy title Viscount Sondes from 1722 to 1724. He was born into the Watson family as the eldest son of Edward Watson, Viscount Sondes, and Lady Catherine Tufton. Lady Catherine Tufton was the daughter of Thomas Tufton, 6th Earl of Thanet, and Lady Catherine Cavendish.

His grandfather, Lewis Watson, 1st Earl of Rockingham, held the earldom before him. Lewis Watson inherited the title following his grandfather's death in 1724, as his father had predeceased his own father.

In 1737, Watson was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Kent, a position he held until his death in 1745.

He married his first cousin, Catherine Furnese, the daughter of Sir Robert Furnese. As part of their marriage settlement, Watson purchased a residence in Grosvenor Square, London. The house was decorated with marble tables, Persian carpets, mahogany paneling, silk damask hangings, and included an organ. These details indicate that the household was maintained with a degree of grandeur and affluence typical of the British aristocracy of the period.

Lewis Watson died childless on 4 December 1745 and was buried on 14 December at Rockingham. Following his death, the earldom was succeeded by his brother, Thomas Watson.

His wife, Catherine, later married Francis, Earl of Guildford, on 13 June 1751. Francis was her third husband, and he died on 4 August 1790. Catherine died on 17 December 1766 and was buried at Wroxton.

References for this information include "The Complete Peerage" by G. E. Cokayne, as well as historical surveys such as Edward Hasted’s "The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent." Additional details derive from the "History of Parliament" and "The Survey of London," which document the residences and family histories of the period.

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Word Count: approximately 370 words.