Family and Education

bap. 23 Oct. 1625, 4th but 1st surv. s. of Francis Cheyne of Chesham Bois by Anne, da. of Sir William Fleetwood of Great Missenden, Bucks.  educ. Brasenose, Oxf. 1640; L. Inn 1642.  m. (1) 1654, Lady Jane (d. 1669), da. of William Cavendish†, 1st Duke of Newcastle, 1s. 2da. (1 d.v.p.); (2) lic. 8 June 1688, Isabella (d. 1714), da. of Sir John Smyth of Bidborough, Kent, and wid. of John Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor, s.p.  suc. fa. 1644; cr. Visct. Newhaven and Lord Cheyne [S] 17 May 1681.1

Offices Held

Commr. customs 1675–87, Mint 1677–8.2

Commr. Greenwich Hosp. 1695.3

Biography

Cheyne was returned for both Harwich and Newport in Cornwall in 1690, choosing to sit for the former after it had been suggested that if he opted for the alternative it would ruin the ‘Church interest’ in Harwich. No doubt his continued support for the Marquess of Carmarthen (Sir Thomas Osborne†) ensured him the backing of the Court interest in a borough with strong links to the government. Having been a known adherent of Carmarthen in the Cavalier Parliament, he was duly listed by the Marquess as a Tory and probable Court supporter in March 1690. He was also listed as likely to support Carmarthen in the event of an attack upon his ministerial position in December 1690, although Robert Harley* saw him as a Country supporter by April 1691. He was not an active Member. With his son challenging for a seat in the local borough of Amersham in 1695, Cheyne was again returned for Newport. Carmarthen’s fall from power may explain why Cheyne was forecast as likely to oppose the government in the division of 31 Jan. 1696 on the proposed council of trade, he refused at first to sign the Association and voted on 25 Nov. against the attainder of Sir John Fenwick†.4

Cheyne did not live to see the dissolution of the 1695 Parliament as he died on 30 June 1698 and was buried, according to the provisions of his will, at Chelsea on 13 July.5

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Authors: Eveline Cruickshanks / Stuart Handley

Notes

• 1. Bucks. Recs. vi. 206; T. Faulkner, Chelsea, i. 224, 337.
• 2. Cal. Treas. Bks. iv. 869; viii. 1201; HMC Lindsey supp. 170–4.
• 3. Add. 10120, f. 233.
• 4. W. Suss. RO, Shillinglee mss Ac.454/816, Luzancy to Sir Edward Turnor*, 17 Mar. 1690; A. F. Robbins, Launceston, 237.
• 5. Faulkner, 225; Lysons, Environs (1792–6), ii. 127.