Family and Education

b. c.1605, 1st s. of Henry Hooke of Bramshott by Margaret, da. of Cuthbert Lynde of Westminster. educ. Magdalen Coll. Oxf. 1623; M. Temple 1623. m. 8 Dec. 1631, Grissell (d. 4 Mar. 1687), da. of Sir Francis Clarke of Hitcham, Bucks., 2s. 1 da. suc. fa. 1640.1

Offices Held

J.p. Hants 1636-d., commr. for sequestration, Hants 1643, defence 1643, levying money 1644, assessment 1644-52, 1657, Jan. 1660-3, 1644-80, execution of ordinances 1644, militia 1648, 1659, Mar. 1660, sheriff Jan.-Nov. 1649, commr. for scandalous ministers 1658; freeman, Winchester Mar. 1660; commr. for recusants, Hants 1675.2

Biography

Hooke’s grandfather, of Surrey origins, obtained a confirmation of arms in 1600 and bought the manor of Bramshott in 1610. As a nephew of John Pym^†, Hooke naturally supported Parliament throughout the Civil War; but he also complied with all succeeding governments, holding local office till his death some 40 years later. He was returned for Winchester at the top of the poll in the general election of 1660, and marked by Lord Wharton as a friend. In the Convention he made no speeches and was appointed to no committees, but he probably voted with the Opposition and did not stand again. Although approved as an ejector during the Protectorate, he conformed to the Church of England, and presented his younger son to the rectory in 1672. Presumably he opposed exclusion. He died on 14 May 1685 aged 80, the only member of this family to sit in Parliament, and was buried at Bramshott. The property was sold a few years later.3

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Authors: M. W. Helms / Paula Watson / John. P. Ferris

Notes

• 1. W. W. Capes, Rural Life in Hants, 333; Bucks. Par. Reg. v. 115; Mdx. Par. Reg. i. 10.
• 2. CSP Dom. 1658-9, p. 42; Winchester corp. assembly bk. 4, f. 137.
• 3. Vis. Hants (Harl. Soc. lxiv), 84; Grantees of Arms (Harl. Soc. lxvi), 128; VCH Hants, ii. 492; Gent. Mag. lxv. 594.