EDWARDS (afterwards NOEL), Gerard Noel (1759-1838), of Exton Park, Rutland.

b. 17 July 1759, o.s. of Gerard Anne Edwards of Welham Grove, Leics., illegit. s. of Lord Anne Hamilton, by Lady Jane Noel, da. of Baptist, 4th Earl of Gainsborough, sis. and h. of Henry, 6th Earl of Gainsborough. educ. Eton 1770-4; St. John’s Camb. 1776. m. (1) 21 Dec. 1780, Diana (d. 12 Apr. 1823), da. and h. of Sir Charles Middleton, 1st Bt. (afterwards 1st Baron Barham), whom she suc. as 2nd Baroness 17 June 1813, 12s. 6da.; (2) 4 May 1823, Harriet (d. 11 Aug. 1826), da. of Rev. Joseph Gill of Scraptoft, Leics., s.p.; (3) 11 Aug. 1831, Isabella, wid. of Evans Raymond of Milton, Kent, s.p. suc. fa. to Welham 1773; uncle Henry, 6th Earl of Gainsborough, to his estates 8 Apr. 1798 and took name of Noel 5 May 1798; fa.-in-law as 2nd Bt. by spec. rem. 17 June 1813.