HUNTINGDON

From Agepedia

HUNTINGDON, Selina, countess of, the second daughter of Washington, earl Ferrers, was born in 1707, and married June 3, 1728, to Theophilus, earl of Huntingdon. Becoming a widow, she acquired a taste for the principles of the Calvinistic Methodists, and patronised the famous George Whitefleld, whom she constituted her chaplain. Her rank and fortune giving her great influence, she was long considered as the head of a sect of religionists; and, after the death of Whitefleld, his followers were designated as the people of lady Huntingdon. She founded schools and colleges for preachers, supported them with her purse, and expended annually larsre sums in private charity. She died June 17, 1791.