GORING, Charles (1743-1829), of Wiston, nr. Shoreham, Suss.

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

1774 - 1780

Family and Education

b. 1743, 2nd s. of Sir Charles Matthew Goring, 5th Bt., by his 2nd w. Elizabeth, da. of Sir Robert Fagge, 3rd Bt., of Wiston, and sis. and coh. of Sir Robert Fagge, 4th Bt., M.P. educ. Magdalen, Oxf. 27 Mar. 1762, aged 18. m. (1) 20 Apr. 1779, Sarah (d. 6 Dec. 1797), da. of Ralph Beard of Hurstpierpoint, Suss., s.p.; (2) 7 June 1798, Elizabeth (d. 8 Aug. 1811), da. of Edward Luxford, 3da.; (3) 7 May 1812, Mary, da. of Rev. John Ballard, rector of Great Longford, Wilts., 2s. 1da.

Offices Held

Biography

Members of the Goring family sat for various Sussex constituencies since the sixteenth century. Charles Goring inherited property near Shoreham through his mother, and his political influence was ‘always very great in the Western part of Sussex’.1 In 1774 he stood for Shoreham which in 1771 had been enlarged by an Act throwing it into the rape of Bramber and enfranchising about 1200 freeholders. He topped the poll. In Parliament he voted consistently with Opposition. Only one speech by him is reported—on the bill for disfranchising Hindon voters, 29 Mar. 1775, when he sided with Opposition. Goring declined to stand again in 1780.

He died 3 Dec. 1829 aged 86. The Gentleman’s Magazine wrote in his obituary notice: ‘He was a singular specimen of an old English gentleman ... of a hearty vigorous constitution and great hospitality. His fortune amounted to £12,000 a year.’

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Mary M. Drummond

Notes

  • 1. Gent. Mag. 1830, i. 87.