William St Lawrence, 14th Baron Howth (1688 – 4 April 1748) was an Irish peer and politician, who enjoyed the friendship of Jonathan Swift.
[1] He lived for part of each year in Howth Castle, but also spent much of his time at Kilfane House near Thomastown, County Kilkenny, where he could indulge his passion for sport.
Nichola was the daughter of Hugh Hamilton, 1st Viscount of Glenawly and his second wife Susanna Balfour, and widow of Sir Tristram Beresford, 3rd Baronet.
[2] Swift's regard for Lady Howth led him to importune his friend Eaton Stannard, the Recorder of Dublin, to use whatever influence he had on behalf of her brother Mr Hamilton Gorges, who was standing for Parliament in 1734.
[1] Since Weldon was a Roman Catholic it was necessary under the Penal Lawsfor Lucy to obtain a royal pardon for the marriage in order to prevent forfeiture of her property rights, and this was duly granted in December 1751.