BULLOCK, Joseph (1731-1808), of Caversfield, nr. Bicester, Oxon.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1754-1790, ed. L. Namier, J. Brooke., 1964
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

6 Sept. 1770 - Mar. 1775

Family and Education

b. 11 Dec. 1731, s. of Henry Bullock of Stanwell, Mdx. by his w. Mary. educ. Eton 1742-8; Merton, Oxf. 1749. m. Anne, da. of Peter Walter, M.P., of Stalbridge, Dorset, niece of Edward Walter, 1da.

Offices Held

Biography

Bullock was a close friend of Lord Verney, and in 1768 stood on his interest at Carmarthen. He was defeated and petitioned; Edmund Burke tried to rally the Rockingham party in his support; but on 8 Mar. 1770 the House determined against him by 101 votes to 30. Verney had him returned for Wendover on the first vacancy; and Burke wrote to Rockingham, 7 Sept. 1770: ‘I wish your Lordship joy of another friend in Parliament.’ There is no record that Bullock ever spoke in the House.

In 1774 Verney could no longer afford to return his friends gratis: Edmund Burke had to find a seat elsewhere, and presumably Bullock had to pay. If so, it is difficult to explain why six months later he vacated his seat. He remained on close terms with Verney, and in 1786 accepted the thankless task of trying to straighten out Verney’s financial affairs.

Bullock died 13 Apr. 1808.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: John Brooke

Notes