Woodlawn House

The title Lord Ashtown was created in 1800 for Frederick Trench, with remainder to the heirs male of his father. He was elected to the Irish House of Commons for Portarlington from 1798 to 1800. He also served as the borough’s representative in the United Kingdom Parliament for a few months in 1801. In 1801 he was raised to the Peerage of Ireland as Baron Ashtown, with remainder to the heirs male of his father Frederick Trench. This was a so called “Union peerage”, a reward for Trench’s support for the Union between Ireland and Great Britain, which he had initially opposed. You get the flavour from a contemporary report.

Contemporary Report:

Mr Trench declared, in presence of a crowded House, that he would vote against the minister, and support Mr Ponsonby’s amendment. “This,” observes Sir Jonah Barrington, who was an eye-witness of the transaction, “appeared a stunning blow to Mr Cooke, who had been previously in conversation with Mr Trench. He was immediately observed sidling from his seat, nearer to Lord Castlereagh. They whispered earnestly; and, as if restless and undecided, both looked wistfully at Trench. At length the matter seemed to be determined on. Mr Cooke retired to a back seat, and was obviously endeavouring to count the House – probably to guess if they could that night dispense with Mr Trench’s services. He returned to Lord Castlereagh; they whispered, and again looked at Mr Trench. But there was no time to lose; the question was approaching. All shame was banished; they decided on the terms, and a significant glance, obvious to everybody, convinced Mr Trench that his conditions were agreed to. Mr Cooke then went and sat down by his side: an earnest but very short conversation took place; a parting smile completely told the House that Mr Trench was satisfied. These surmises were soon verified. Mr Cooke went back to Lord Castlereagh; a congratulatory nod announced his satisfaction. But could any man for one moment suppose that an M.P. of large fortune, of respectable family, and good character, could be publicly, and without shame or compunction, actually seduced by Lord Castlereagh under the eye of 220 gentlemen? In a few minutes Mr Trench rose to apologise for having in-discreetly declared he would support the amendment. He added, that he had thought better of the subject; that he had been convinced he was wrong, and would support the minister.” Mr Trench accordingly became Lord Ashtown.

Lord Ashtown married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Robinson, in 1785. They had no children. He died in May 1840, aged 84, and was succeeded in the barony according to the special remainder by his nephew Frederic. Lady Ashtown died in 1844. He was succeeded according to the special remainder by his nephew, the second Baron (the son of Francis Trench). His grandson, the third Baron (son of Frederic Sydney Charles Trench, eldest son of the second Baron), sat in the House of Lords as an Irish Representative Peer from 1908 to 1915.