Family and Education

b. 23 Oct. 1725, 2nd s. of R.-Adm. Thomas Graves by Elizabeth, da. of Rev. Gilbert Budgell; bro. of William Graves. m. 22 June 1771, Elizabeth, da. and coh. of William Peere Williams of Cadhay, Devon, 2s. 3da.  cr. Baron Graves [I], with a pension of £1,000 p.a. 24 Oct. 1794.

Offices Held

Lt. R.N. 1743; cdr. 1754; capt. 1755; r.-adm. 1779; v.-adm. 1787; adm. 1794.

Gov. Newfoundland 1761-3.

Biography

On 5 Oct. 1774, ten days before the general election, North wrote to Robinson: ‘I have promised Mr. Graves that he shall come in for East Looe, as soon as we can place Sir Charles Whitworth in any other seat’; and the next day: ‘I promised Mr. Buller that if we could find a seat for Sir Charles Whitworth even before the election, Mr. Graves should come in for East Looe.’1 No Christian name was given in either letter, and neither of the brothers was returned at the general election; but Thomas Graves in January replaced Whitworth at East Looe, and Buller’s long connexion with the Admiralty seems to suggest that his candidate was the naval officer. Yet Thomas Graves held the seat for four months only, possibly as a stop-gap for William.

There is no record of Thomas Graves having voted or spoken in the House, nor does he appear to have stood for Parliament at any other time.

He died 9 Feb. 1802.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Mary M. Drummond

Notes

• 1. Laprade, 24.