Caroline Grafton

Caroline, Marchioness of Raulings with Thomas, Lord Bridgeton (1753)

Caroline Hissop Grafton was the wife of Julian Grafton, 1st Marquess of Raulings, and the mother of the current Lord Raulings. Born in 1729 to James Hissop, 3rd Duke of Pennington, and his second wife, Mary, Lady Caroline married Lord Raulings in 1750. She gave birth to her first child, the then Lord Bridgeton, in 1753. Lord Bridgeton was followed in birth by three sisters: Lady Francesca and Lady Miranda (twins, born January 1, 1756) and Lady Annabella (1760).

Ever a proponent of decorum and reservation, Caroline was surprised when her brother, Charles, took as his second wife a lady young enough to be his daughter. Ultimately, however, she conceded that the former Lady Eleanor D'Avray had fair enough taste in friends. Caroline approved of her sister-in-law's advocacy of Lady Margaret Eglinton for her nephew's bride. She suspect that Lady Margaret would prove a steadying influence on Lord St Elvans, who had grown from willful and sullen boy into a vindictive young man with a dreadful temper. She was pleased with the changes Lady St Elvans brought to the family and looked forward to the future generations.

Unfortunately, as she was rejoiced in the marriages and happiness of her own children, she marked with pain Lady St Elvans' declining health as well as that of her own. By 1790, she had noticed a slow increase in the size of one of her breasts as well as swelling under her arm. Her physician confirmed that she had developed a cancerous growth and suggested its removal, but Caroline declined. She died at her home, Raulings Park, in 1791 at the age of 62.