WYNDHAM, William (1659-1734), of Dinton, Wilts.

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

31 Oct. 1691 - 1695

Family and Education

b. 21 Sept. 1659, 3rd but 2nd surv. s. of Sir Wadham Wyndham of Norrington, Wilts. by Barbara, da. of Sir George Clerke of Launde Abbey, Leics. and Walford, Northants.; bro. of John† and Thomas Wyndham*.  m. by 1695, Henrietta, da. and coh. of Henry Stratford of Hawling, Glos., 3s. (1 d.v.p.) 6da.1

Offices Held

Freeman and common councilman, Salisbury 1689.2

Biography

Descended from the Wiltshire branch of an extensive family, Wyndham purchased Dinton manor for £2,235 in 1689, and with this property as a local base he tried for a seat at nearby Salisbury, where he was defeated by Thomas Pitt I* at a by-election in May 1689 and at the general election of 1690. He was returned for Calne at a by-election in place of Henry Bayntun, following a contest. He may have owed this seat to his family connexions in the area, for his brother’s estate at Norrington was only six miles from the borough. Wyndham played little part in the proceedings of the House. He was given leave of absence on 1 Feb. 1693, for a fortnight, and on 29 Mar. 1694 he was released from the custody of the serjeant for being absent without permission. Another period of leave was granted on 21 Mar. 1695, in order for him to recover his health, and he stood down at the end of that session.3

Wyndham made his will on 25 Oct. 1733, leaving all his lands and chattels in trust. At his death he had £15,900 invested in Bank, East India and South Sea stock, which was distributed in portions to named relations. His elder son, Wadham, inherited a leasehold property in Andover, Hampshire, while his wife obtained her family’s house in Hawling, which had been secured on Wyndham as part of the marriage settlement. Wyndham died early in the following year. Neither of his surviving sons succeeded him in Parliament.4

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Authors: D. W. Hayton / Henry Lancaster

Notes

  • 1. H. A. Wyndham, Wyndham Fam. pp. x, 6, 170, ped.; Hutchins, Dorset, iv. 48–49; Misc. Gen. et Her. ser. 2, iv. 55, 78.
  • 2. Hoare, Wilts. Salisbury, 494.
  • 3. Wyndham, pp. x, 6, 7; Hoare, Wilts. Chalke, 89; VCH Wilts. xiii. 11.
  • 4. PCC 329 Coke, 94 Ockham.