ORCHARD, Paul (c.1682-1740), of Aldercombe, Kilhampton, Cornw. and Hartland Abbey, Devon

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

8 May 1711 - 1713
22 Mar. 1714 - 1715

Family and Education

b. c.1682, 1st s. of Charles Orchard of Aldercombe.  educ. Exeter, Oxf. matric. 10 Dec. 1699, aged 17; I. Temple 1700.  m. (1) Mary, da. and h. of Nicholas Luttrell of Hartland Abbey, s.p.; (2) a da. of Sir John Suffolk, s.p.; (3) 1729, Rebecca, da. of Charles Smith of Isleworth, Mdx., 1s. 3da.  suc. fa. 1706.1

Offices Held

Sheriff, Cornw. 1709–10, stannator, Blackmore 1710.2

Biography

Orchard’s father had served as steward to Sir John Rolle† of Stevenstone, Devon and as customer of Exeter port, and at his death owed large arrears to the crown. Orchard’s marriage to the heiress of a Devon estate no doubt helped him to settle this debt. His first involvement with the Commons came on 1 Mar. 1710 when he appeared before the Commons to explain, in his capacity as sheriff of Cornwall, the lack of a return for the Lostwithiel by-election held in January 1710. The House deemed Orchard’s reply to be satisfactory and he was discharged. At the Camelford by-election of 1711 Orchard stood with the support of the Granville interest. Despite heading the poll, Orchard was not returned, but he petitioned and was seated by the Commons. He was not an active Member, and on 28 Mar. 1712 was granted six weeks’ leave of absence, though he had returned to the House by 23 May when he was a teller against a motion to bring in a private bill concerning a transaction by two Portugal wine merchants. He left no trace on the records of the 1713 session. Though added to the Cornwall commission of the peace in the summer of 1713, Orchard did not stand at the election of that year. He was returned for Bossiney at a by-election in 1714, but again made little impact upon the House. He died on 6 June 1740, being succeeded by his son, also Paul†.3

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes

  • 1. Polsue, Complete Paroch. Hist. Cornw. ii. 381; Vivian, Vis. Devon, 540; R. Inst. Cornw. Tonkin’s ms hist. Cornw. ii. 244; Cal. Treas. Bks. xx. 603.
  • 2. Tonkins ms hist. 244.
  • 3. Polsue, 365; Cal. Treas. Bks. xxiv. 603; Glassey, Appt. JPs, 217.