NEWMAN, Sir Richard, 1st Bt. (c.1675-1721), of Evercreech, Som. and Fifehead Magdalen, Dorset

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1690-1715, ed. D. Hayton, E. Cruickshanks, S. Handley, 2002
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Feb. - Nov. 1701

Family and Education

b. c.1675, o. s. of Richard Newman v.p. of Evercreech Park (s. of Richard Newman of Evercreech Park) by Grace, da. and coh. of Henry Edmondes of Preston Hall, Preston Deane, Northants.  educ. Pembroke, Oxf. matric. 8 Apr. 1693, aged 18.  m. lic. 1 June 1696, Frances (d. 1730), da. of Sir Thomas Samwell, 1st Bt.*, 3s. (2 d.v.p.) 4da.  suc. fa. 1682, gdfa. to Fifehead Magdalen 1695; cr. Bt. 20 Dec. 1699.1

Offices Held

Sheriff, Northants. 1706–7.

Biography

Newman’s family had been seated at Fifehead Magdalen in Dorset since the mid-16th century. His great-grandfather, who had been a noted Royalist during the Civil War, bought estates in Somerset, including Evercreech Park in 1657. All this property was inherited by Newman on the deaths of his father and grandfather, in addition to estates in Northamptonshire from his mother. The baronetcy he received in 1699, when still only in his mid-20s, probably helped to promote his electoral suitability, and in January 1701 he was adopted and returned without opposition at Milborne Port, some 15 miles from Evercreech. Although his name does not appear on any surviving party list, he was probably a Tory. Declining to stand for re-election in November 1701 or in 1702, he contested in 1705, but only polled three votes. He died on 30 Dec. 1721 and was buried at Fifehead Magdalen.2

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Author: Paula Watson

Notes

  • 1. Som. Arch. Soc. and Nat. Hist. Procs. xxxvi. 156; Hutchins, Dorset, iv. 57; Collinson, Som. ii. 67–8.
  • 2. Hutchins, 57; iii. 414; Collinson, iii. 414; HMC Ormonde, viii. 156–7.