Constance was born on the 21st February 1841 in Brighton Sussex; she was one of 7 children born to Laurence and Jane Peel (nee Lennox).
Laurence Peel (source Ancestry)
Lady Jane Lennox (source Ancestry)
Laurence was the youngest son of the 1st Sir Robert Peel; he married Lady Jane Lennox in 1822 in Westminster. Lady Jane was the daughter of the 4th Duke of Richmond, Scottish peer, soldier, Politian and Governor General of British North America. Her mother was the former Lady Charlotte Gordon, Sister and heiress in line of George Gordon, 5th Duke of Gordon, Scottish nobleman, soldier and politician.
Laurence's father the 1st Robert Peel, settled them a marriage annual income of £2000 a year, with £800 a year to go to Lady Jane in the event of Laurence's death. Complications arose in 1826 when, on attaining the age of 25, he became entitled to £60,000 of the £106,000 which Sir Robert Peel had allotted him out of his personal fortune. Laurence was in some financial trouble, having exceeded his allowance for a London house by taking one at 11 Connaught Place London, which was too big for his needs. His elder Brother the 2nd Sir Robert Peel loaned him cash to tide him over. The bond of the marriage settlement was annulled and about £47000 of Laurence's allowance portion was invested to provide £2000 a year. He disposed of the Connaught Place House and moved to more suitable premises off Grosvenor Square in London.
When the 1st Robert Peel died in 1830 he left to his eldest son (the 2nd Robert Peel, twice prime minister) an amount of £20,000 a year and a mansion at Drayton Manor, near Tamworth. (The 2nd Robert Peel twice served as British Prime Minister and twice as Home Secretary. He is regarded as the Father of modern British Policing owing to his founding of the Metropolitan Police Service). To each of his younger sons he left amounts of £7000 to £9000 per year, and smaller fortunes to each of his daughters.
Laurence sat for three years in parliament as a member for Cockermouth from 1827 to 1830. After that he spent a lot of time in Paris or on the Continent. Laurence then moved to Brighton and devoted himself to the promotion of charitable and religious causes.
During this time,- Francis Lennox Peel b. 1828 Spelhurst Kent d. 1828 (3 days old) and Olivia Jane Lennox Peel b. 1837 Brighton Sussex d.1848 Newton Abbot Devon-Died unmarried
Laurence died on 10th December 1888, he provided handsomely for his surviving children. Lady Jane died on 27th March 1861.
Family tree of Constance Augusta Lennox Gordon
Constance Augusta lived with her family at 32 Sussex Square Brighton in 1851, the family had 1 governess and 9 servants. In 1861 she was staying with her Brother Charles and his Wife at Feltham House, Lion Street, Feltham Middlesex.
She married George Grant Gordon on 8th August 1863 at St Paul's, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge. George was a commissioned officer with the Scots Guards. He served in the Crimean War, and received the Crimea Medal with four clasps. He also served as a JP for the County of London and Berkshire. He was Equerry and Controller to the Prince and Princess Christian of Schleswig- Holstein.
They had three children-
Laurence George Frank Gordon born 21st May 1864 died 15th January 1943,
Christian Frederick Gordon born 30th October 1866 died 29thJuly 1934,
Helena Jane Gordon born 21st April 1870 died 12th February 1932
In 1871 they were living at Frogmore Cottage, Windsor. They had 8 servants, including 2 Lady's maids, a servant nurse, 2 housemaids, a cook and 2 footmen. In 1881 Constance and her Daughter, Helena are staying with her Father, Lawrence Peel at 32 Sussex Square Brighton. George is staying at Windsor Great Park, Royal Lodge London.
In 1901 she is staying in a hotel at 130 Queens Gate Kensington
After her Husband's retirement, they moved to Worthing and lived at Inkerman Shelley Road, Worthing. Her Husband died on 4th January 1912 in Worthing
Constance died on 14th April 1921 in Worthing Sussex. She had moved to Sandhurst Shakespeare Road Worthing. She left £1867 8s 10d (£54250.73 in 2020) to her Daughter Helena Jane Stone.
Mary Ann Alexander who died in 1920 and was buried at Heene, left Constance the sum of £1000 (£34450 in 2020). Mary lived at Fulmer House, on the corner of Manor Road and Boundary Road, Worthing.