Peter Bathurst (Salisbury MP) facts for kids

Peter Bathurst (born 1687, died 1748) was an important person in British history. He was a landowner and a politician who served in the British Parliament for many years. He lived in places like Greatworth, Northamptonshire, and Clarendon Park in Wiltshire.

Early Life and Family Connections

Peter Bathurst was born on May 3, 1687. He was the second son of Sir Benjamin Bathurst, who was also a Member of Parliament (MP). His mother was Frances Apsley. When he was a child, Peter and his brother Benjamin were companions to the Duke of Gloucester at the court of Princess Anne. This means they grew up alongside royalty!

Peter went to school at Eton College around 1700. Later, he studied at Trinity College, Oxford in 1703. When his father passed away, Peter inherited land in Lincolnshire.

Marriages and Estates

In 1709, Peter Bathurst married Leonora-Maria How. Through this marriage, he gained part of his father-in-law's estate in Greatworth, Northamptonshire. Sadly, Leonora-Maria died in January 1720.

Later that same year, on October 24, 1720, Peter married Lady Selina Shirley. She was the daughter of a nobleman, Robert Shirley, the 1st Earl Ferrers. At some point, Peter also acquired the large Clarendon Park estate near Wilton, which became his main home.

Political Career in Parliament

Peter Bathurst was a Member of Parliament (MP), which means he was elected to represent people in the British Parliament. He was a member of the Tory political party.

First Time as an MP

Peter first became an MP for Wilton on March 17, 1711. This happened after the 1710 general election. He was part of a group called the October Club. This group worked to find problems and mistakes made by the previous government, which was from the Whig party.

Representing Cirencester and Salisbury

After trying and not winning a seat in Salisbury in 1722, Peter was elected as an MP for Cirencester in 1727. He followed his brother, Allen, Lord Bathurst, in Parliament. Peter often voted against the government's plans.

In the 1734 election, he changed seats again and became the MP for Salisbury. He continued to vote against the government, except for one time in 1741. In 1741, he was one of the Tories who chose not to vote on a motion to remove the Prime Minister, Robert Walpole.

Peter Bathurst only made one speech that is recorded. This was in 1736, and he spoke against a bill that aimed to stop secret marriages. He did not run for election in 1741. He tried again in Salisbury in 1747 but was not elected.

Later Life and Legacy

Peter Bathurst passed away on May 6, 1748. He was buried in a place called Laverstock. His tombstone says he was "a lover of letters and liberal knowledge," meaning he enjoyed reading and learning. It also said he was "affectionate and affable to a numerous family."

He had two daughters from his first marriage. With his second wife, he had five sons and ten daughters, making for a very large family! His oldest son, Peter, inherited the Clarendon estate. However, it eventually passed to the children of his eldest daughter, Selina.