BILSON, Thomas (c.1655-92), of West Mapledurham, nr. Petersfield, Hants.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1660-1690, ed. B.D. Henning, 1983
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Family and Education

b. c.1655, 1st s. of Leonard Bilson. educ. L. Inn 1673. m. 25 Apr. 1678, Susan, da. of William Legge I of the Minories, London, 2s. 1da.1

Offices Held

Freeman, Portsmouth 1678, 1684; j.p. Hants by 1680-Apr. 1688, ?1689- d. , Surr. 1687-Feb. 1688, Suss. 1687-July 1688, Surr. and Suss. Nov. 1688- d. ; commr. for wastes and spoils, Forest of Bere 1687, assessment, Hants 1689-90.2

Biography

Bilson replaced his father on the family interest at Petersfield in James II’s Parliament, in which he was not appointed to any committee. Doubtless a Tory, he was described by the King’s electoral agents in 1688 nevertheless as ‘a very fair moderate man’, whom it would be ‘hard to set ... aside, whilst supported by his father’s interest’. Re-elected in 1689, he did not vote to agree with the Lords that the throne was not vacant. An inactive Member of the Convention, his only committee was on the bill for the export of corn and grain. At the general election he lost his seat to the Whig Richard Holt. He predeceased his father on 11 Jan. 1692, aged 36, and was buried at Buriton. His son Leonard sat for Petersfield as a Tory from 1704 to his death.3

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Author: Paula Watson

Notes

  • 1. Hants Field Club Pprs. xix. 265.
  • 2. R. East, Portsmouth Recs. 363, 367; Cal. Treas. Bks. viii. 1632.
  • 3. Hants Repository , ii. 214-15.