MIDDLETON, Peter (1603-61), of Mincing Lane, London.

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

Family and Education

b. 1603, 4th s. of Robert Middleton, Skinner, of London by Margaret, da. of John Mounsel, merchant, of Weymouth. m. aft. 25 July 1657, Mary, wid. of Fulke Parry, Merchant Taylor, of London, s.p.1

Offices Held

Committee, E.I. Co. 1659-d.; commr. for assessment, London Aug. 1660-d.2

Biography

Middleton’s father, seventh of the celebrated Denbighshire brothers, sat for Weymouth in 1604 and was a considerable benefactor to the town. Through his mother, Middleton was first cousin to John Whiteway and related to his rivals in the general election of 1660, Henry Waltham and the recorder, Samuel Bond. From 1624 to 1627 he lived with Whiteway’s family, leaving to become a Turkey merchant. He joined the Levant and East India Companies, and later resided in Russia, presumably as a buyer of furs. He had £1,000 stock in the East India Company, and was named to its committee, but he is not known to have held any municipal office.3

Middleton first sat for Weymouth in Richard Cromwell’s Parliament. He stood for re-election in 1660, but was involved in a double return. On 5 May the House accepted that he had a majority of the qualified voters, and he took his seat in the Convention. He was one of five Members authorized to raise an urgent loan of £2,000 in the City; meeting with some difficulty they agreed to supply the money out of their own pockets, for which they received the thanks of the House on 25 May. An inactive Member, he probably served on five other committees, the most important of which produced a bill exempting ex-soldiers from apprenticeship regulations and drew up rules for the disbandment of the army.4

Middleton was defeated in the general election of 1661, and died later in the year. He was buried at St. Dunstan in the East on 24 Dec. Apparently his affairs were in some confusion, for his wife and brother both renounced administration of his will, which was granted to a principal creditor.5

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

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

Notes

  • 1. Misc. Gen. et Her. (ser. 3), ii. 222; Procs. Dorset Field Club, xvi. 67; C5/620/175.
  • 2. Cal. Ct. Mins. E.I. Co. ed. Sainsbury, v. 338; vi. 23, 105.
  • 3. Hutchins, Dorset, ii. 464; Eg. 784, f. 65v; T. K. Rabb, Enterprise and Empire, 342; Misc. Gen. et Her. (ser. 3), i. 175; Cal. Ct. Mins. E.I. Co. vi. 374.
  • 4. CJ, viii. 13.
  • 5. PCC 8 Laud; Weymouth and Melcombe Regis Min. Bk. f. 272.