Family and Education

b. c.1635, 3rd s. of Robert Willoughby (d. aft. 1642), merchant, of Funchal, Madeira by Mary, da. of one Dandrader.  m. 14 Apr. 1662, aged 26, Dorothy (d. 1690), da. of Robert Lowther, Draper, of St. Margaret Lothbury, London, alderman of London 1650–1, wid. of Jeffrey Northleigh, Mercer, of St. Michael Bassishaw, London, and Romford, Essex, sis. of Anthony Lowther†, 1s. 2da.  suc. cos. Christopher Willoughby in Bishopstone and Watchfield, Berks. estates 1681; kntd. 26 Aug. 1686.1

Offices Held

Freeman, Drapers’ Co. 1658, livery 1662–d., asst. 1684; sheriff, Wilts. 1683–4.

Biography

Willoughby, the son of a Catholic merchant in Madeira, owed his interest at Marlborough to the estates he had inherited from his cousin. He evaded giving an answer to the questions on the repeal of the Penal Laws and Test Act and was struck off the commission of the peace in June 1688, but in the Convention he voted against the transfer of the crown. Re-elected in 1690, he was noted by Lord Carmarthen (Sir Thomas Osborne†) as a Tory, and probably as a Court supporter, and was also included in a further list of supporters which Carmarthen compiled in December in anticipation of an attack on himself in the Commons. Robert Harley* classed Willoughby as a member of the Court party in April the following year. On 27 Jan. 1693 he was given three weeks’ leave from the House for the recovery of his health. He died on 8 Jan. 1695. No other member of Willoughby’s family succeeded him in Parliament, but he did settle his children more firmly among the north Wiltshire gentry: his son, Christopher, married the daughter of Sir Walter Ernle†, while a daughter married Thomas, son of Sir Edward Bayntun†.2

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Authors: D. W. Hayton / Henry Lancaster

Notes

• 1. The Gen. ii. 91; PCC 262 Aylett; Beaven, Aldermen, i. 220; J. R. Woodhead, Rulers of London (London and Mdx. Arch. Soc.), 122–3.
• 2. The Gen. 91.