Daughter of John Bligh, 1st Earl of Darnley and Theodosia Hyde, Baroness Clifton.
Married:
1st Robert Hawkins-Magill on 15 Sep 1742, died 1745
2nd Bernard Ward, 1st Viscount Bangor on 1 Dec 1747
Lady Anne and her second husband inherited the Castle Ward estate, near the village of Strangford, in County Down, Northern Ireland, in 1759, and set about building themselves a fine new house. It would be symbolic of their union and exist as a statement of the Ward family's bold and forward-thinking place in the word.
The story told for the reason behind this unusual decorative scheme is that Bernard Ward, 1st Viscount Bangor, did not agree with his wife on the décor. Bernard had a classical taste, while she but preferred the fashionable Gothic style, leading them to split the house down the middle.
Despite the decision to accommodate both tastes, the couple separated not long after the house was finished, with Anne leaving Castle Ward for good.
Lady Anne's relationship with a woman, prior to her two marriages, has been the source of much speculation and academic debate.
At 21, she embarked on a six-year relationship with Letitia Bushe. Letitia was considered far inferior in status and wealth than Lady Anne, but she was more experienced in the world and had a great intellect.
From the surviving correspondence of Letitia Bushe, it is clear she was besotted with Lady Anne, who was some 15 years her junior.
'This Day twelvemonth was the Day I first stay'd with you, the night of which you may remember pass'd very oddly. I cannot forget how I pity'd you and how by that soft road you led me on to love you… that first Sunday at Bray, when you were dressing and I lay down on your Bed – 'twas then I took first a notion to you'. – Letitia Bushe, writing to Lady Anne in 1740
Elizabeth Hastings, Countess of Moira, described Lady Anne's family as having 'an hereditary malady'. Family members were noted as experiencing varied mental health issues.
Lady Anne was accused of having 'a shade of derangement in her intellects'. Her brother, Lord Darnley, was convinced he was a teapot and was reluctant to engage in sexual activity lest 'his spout would come off in the night'. Lady Anne's son Nicholas was declared 'a lunatic' in 1785 but details about this are scant.
Children:
Theodosia Hawkins-Magill 1743-1817
Nicholas Ward, 2nd Viscount Bangor 1750–1827
Edward Ward 1753–1812
Robert Ward 1754–1831
Anne Catherine Ward 1756-
Sophia Ward 1757-
Sarah Henrietta Elisabeth Ward 1758–
Georgiana Charlotte Amelia Ward 1762-1843
Buried on 20 Feb 1789.