Family and Education

b. 28 Nov. 1708, at Fort Frederick, and bro. of Charles Frederick. educ. Westminster 1719-20; New Coll. Oxf. 1725; M. Temple 1729; Grand Tour with his bro. Charles 1737-9 (Italy, Constantinople, Nr. East, France). m. 22 Oct. 1741, Susanna, da. of Sir Roger Hudson of Sunbury, Mdx., and sis. and h. of Vansittart Hudson, 2s. 3da. suc. bro. Thomas at Burwood 24 July 1740; his cos. as 4th Bt. 16 Dec. 1770.

Offices Held

Commr. of Customs Mar. 1761-Mar. 1782.

Biography

John Frederick sat at West Looe as a Government candidate. During the years 1755-60 he repeatedly applied to Newcastle for office: a clerkship of the Green Cloth (25 Feb. 1755, and 1 May 1759), a place at the Board of Trade (20 May 1756, and 7 May 1759), the keepership of the records at the Tower (24 June 1755), etc.;1 and he pleaded years of ‘implicit obedience to his Majesty’s service attended with great expenses’, ‘without emolument or favour’, and his steady attachment to Newcastle and his family ‘in every instance’. On 27 May 1757:2

I am credibly informed the Administration is to be formed tomorrow, which must occasion many vacancies. I can no longer forbear to put your Grace in mind that I expect at this time performance of the repeated promises you have given me and which you must be conscious of. I have been your faithful friend, and I cannot now be amused by specious words. To be neglected I neither deserve, or can I submit to it. Your Grace’s answer will determine me.

And on 1 May 1759:3 ‘no one has shown more zeal and attachment ..., and hitherto I have spent many and many years in cruel disappointment and vexation’.

Meantime he was trying to establish an interest of his own at West Looe against the Bullers, the Government managers who came more and more to control the borough. He was worsted,4 and during the months preceding the general election of 1761 his name appears in Newcastle’s lists of candidates in need of seats; in one undated list5 with the remark: ‘Turned out of Parliament by Mr. Buller. Has had long expectations and constant disappointments.’ Finally his name is crossed out, the word ‘Customs’ having been put against it: he obtained his consolation prize in a commissionership worth £1,000 a year, which he retained till the winding up of the North Administration when the place was required for Sir Stanier Porten. In exchange Frederick received a pension of £1,000 p.a. during pleasure.6

He died 9 Apr. 1783.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Sir Lewis Namier

Notes

• 1. Add. 32852, f. 621; 32856, f. 179; 32864, f. 118; 32891, f. 23; 32900, f. 266.
• 2. Add. 32871, f. 149.
• 3. Add. 32890, f. 436.
• 4. Namier, Structure, 326-8.
• 5. Add. 32999, f. 222.
• 6. T52/70/458.