Melesina Trench
Encyclopedia
Melesina Trench (March 22, 1768 - May 27, 1827) was an Irish writer, poet and diarist. Melesina Chenevix was born in Dublin, daughter of Philip Chenevix and Mary Elizabeth Gervais. She was orphaned before her fourth birthday and brought up by her grandfather, Richard Chenevix (1698-1779) who was the Bishop of Waterford
. The family were of Huguenot
extraction.
After the death of Richard Chenevix she went to live with her maternal grandfather, the Archdeacon Gervais. On October 31, 1786 she married Colonel Richard St George (d. 1790). Her husband died only two years later in Portugal, leaving one son, Charles Manners St George who became a diplomat.
Between 1799 and 1800, Melesina travelled around Europe, especially Germany. It was during these travels that she met Lord Nelson, Lady Hamilton and the cream of European society, including Rivarol
, Lucien Bonaparte
, and John Quincy Adams
while living in Germany. She later recounted anecdotes of these meetings in her memoirs.
On March 3, 1803 in Paris she married again. Her second husband was Richard Trench (1774–1860), son of Frederick Trench and brother of Lord Ashtown.
In 1805 Richard Trench was detained in France by Napoleon's armies. Melesina took it upon herself to petition Napoleon in person and plead for her husband's release. Her husband was released, and the couple settled at Elm Lodge in Bursledon, Hampshire, England. Their son Francis Chenevix Trench
was born in 1805.
In 1807, whilst on holiday in Dublin, their son Richard Chenevix Trench
was born. He went on to be the Archbishop of Dublin
, renowned poet and contemporary of Tennyson
. Her only daughter died a few years later at the age of 4 years.
She corresponded with, amongst others, Mary Leadbeater
, with whom she worked to improve the lot of the peasantry at her estate at Ballybarney.
Melesina Trench's diaries and letters were compiled posthumously by Richard Chenevix Trench as The remains of the late Mrs. Richard Trench in 1861; a portrait of the author engraved by William Holl, after a painting by George Romney
, was included in the work. Another oil painting, The Evening Star by Sir Thomas Lawrence, had her as a subject, and she was reproduced in portrait miniature
s; one in Paris by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
and another by Hamilton that was copied by the engraver Francis Engleheart
.
Bishop of Waterford
The Bishop of Waterford was a medieval prelate, governing the Diocese of Waterford from its creation in the 11th century until it was absorbed into the new Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore in the 14th century...
. The family were of Huguenot
Huguenot
The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the 17th century, people who formerly would have been called Huguenots have instead simply been called French Protestants, a title suggested by their German co-religionists, the...
extraction.
After the death of Richard Chenevix she went to live with her maternal grandfather, the Archdeacon Gervais. On October 31, 1786 she married Colonel Richard St George (d. 1790). Her husband died only two years later in Portugal, leaving one son, Charles Manners St George who became a diplomat.
Between 1799 and 1800, Melesina travelled around Europe, especially Germany. It was during these travels that she met Lord Nelson, Lady Hamilton and the cream of European society, including Rivarol
Antoine de Rivarol
Antoine de Rivarol was a Royalist French writer during the Revolutionary era.Rivarol was born in Bagnols-sur-Cèze, Gard. It appears that his father, an innkeeper, was a cultivated man...
, Lucien Bonaparte
Lucien Bonaparte
Lucien Bonaparte, Prince Français, 1st Prince of Canino and Musignano , born Luciano Buonaparte, was the third surviving son of Carlo Buonaparte and his wife Letizia Ramolino....
, and John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States . He served as an American diplomat, Senator, and Congressional representative. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. Adams was the son of former...
while living in Germany. She later recounted anecdotes of these meetings in her memoirs.
On March 3, 1803 in Paris she married again. Her second husband was Richard Trench (1774–1860), son of Frederick Trench and brother of Lord Ashtown.
In 1805 Richard Trench was detained in France by Napoleon's armies. Melesina took it upon herself to petition Napoleon in person and plead for her husband's release. Her husband was released, and the couple settled at Elm Lodge in Bursledon, Hampshire, England. Their son Francis Chenevix Trench
Francis Chenevix Trench
Francis Chenevix Trench was an English divine and author.Francis, born in 1805, was the eldest son of Richard Trench , barrister-at-law, by his wife Melesina Trench, Richard Chenevix Trench was his younger brother. Francis entered Harrow school early in 1818, and matriculated from Oriel College,...
was born in 1805.
In 1807, whilst on holiday in Dublin, their son Richard Chenevix Trench
Richard Chenevix Trench
Richard Chenevix Trench was an Anglican archbishop and poet.-Life:He was born at Dublin, in Ireland, son of the Dublin writer Melesina Trench, his elder brother was Francis Chenevix Trench. He went to school at Harrow, and graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge in 1829. In 1830 he visited Spain...
was born. He went on to be the Archbishop of Dublin
Archbishop of Dublin (Church of Ireland)
The Archbishop of Dublin is the title of the senior cleric who presides over the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough in the Church of Ireland...
, renowned poet and contemporary of Tennyson
Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson
Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson, FRS was Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom during much of Queen Victoria's reign and remains one of the most popular poets in the English language....
. Her only daughter died a few years later at the age of 4 years.
She corresponded with, amongst others, Mary Leadbeater
Mary Leadbeater
Mary Leadbeater was an Irish author and diarist.Leadbeater was born in Ballitore, County Kildare, Ireland. She was the daughter of Richard Shackleton by his second wife, Elizabeth Carleton, and granddaughter of Abraham Shackleton, schoolmaster of Edmund Burke. Her parents were quakers...
, with whom she worked to improve the lot of the peasantry at her estate at Ballybarney.
Melesina Trench's diaries and letters were compiled posthumously by Richard Chenevix Trench as The remains of the late Mrs. Richard Trench in 1861; a portrait of the author engraved by William Holl, after a painting by George Romney
George Romney (painter)
George Romney was an English portrait painter. He was the most fashionable artist of his day, painting many leading society figures - including his artistic muse, Emma Hamilton, mistress of Lord Nelson....
, was included in the work. Another oil painting, The Evening Star by Sir Thomas Lawrence, had her as a subject, and she was reproduced in portrait miniature
Portrait miniature
A portrait miniature is a miniature portrait painting, usually executed in gouache, watercolour, or enamel.Portrait miniatures began to flourish in 16th century Europe and the art was practiced during the 17th century and 18th century...
s; one in Paris by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Jean-Baptiste Isabey was a French painter born at Nancy.At nineteen, after some lessons from Dumont, miniature painter to Marie Antoinette, he became a pupil of Jacques-Louis David...
and another by Hamilton that was copied by the engraver Francis Engleheart
Francis Engleheart
Francis Engleheart , was an English engraver.Engleheart, born in London in 1775, was nephew of George Engleheart, and grandson of Francis Engleheart of Kew. He served as apprentice to Joseph Collyer the younger, and subsequently became assistant to James Heath [q...
.
Select works
- Journal Kept During a Visit to Germany in 1799, 1800. Edited by the Dean of Westminster (R. C. Trench).
- Mary, Queen of Scots, an historical ballad: With other poems (1800)
- Campaspe, an historical tale, and other poems (1815)
- Laura's dream ; Or, The Moonlanders (1816)
- The Remains of the Late Mrs Richard Trench: Being Selections From Her Journals, Letters, & Other Papers edited by St. George Trench
- Thoughts Of A Parent On Education (1837)
- Melesina Trench: poems and letters from her journal. 1977.