Family and Education

b. 20 Feb. 1768, 3rd surv. s. of Lewis Watson^†, 1st Baron Sondes, by Grace, da. and coh. of Hon. Henry Pelham^† of Esher Place, Surr. educ. Eton 1780-5. unm.

Offices Held

Sheriff, Rutland 1811-12.

Capt. Northants. yeoman cav. 1794.

Biography

Watson’s eldest brother Lewis Thomas Watson^† was put up for Canterbury without his knowledge in 1790, as second string to the unsuccessful Whig candidate Lord Daer. Watson joined Brooks’s Club on 10 June 1795. In 1800 he was, until the day of the election, the only candidate for a vacancy at Canterbury and easily defeated a token and reluctant opponent. He made no mark in the House and might not have sought re-election in 1802 if there had been a contest. His first known opposition vote was against Pitt’s additional force bill on 8 June 1804. In September he was listed ‘Fox and Grenville’ and among ‘The persons in opposition not quite certain’ by the Treasury. After voting in the majorities against Melville, 8 Apr. and 12 June, he was listed ‘doubtful opposition’ in July 1805. He supported the Grenville ministry’s repeal of Pitt’s Additional Force Act, 30 Apr. 1806. He withdrew in the face of a contest in 1806. Watson died 17 June 1824.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: R. G. Thorne

Notes