Richard Bulkeley, 4th Viscount Bulkeley facts for kids

Richard Bulkeley, 4th Viscount Bulkeley (born September 19, 1682 – died June 4, 1724) was an important Welsh politician. He lived at Baron Hill in Anglesey, Wales. Richard was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a parliament, from 1704 to 1724. He belonged to the Tory political group. Richard was known for getting into arguments with local Whig leaders. The Whigs were another political group at the time.

Richard's Early Life

Richard Bulkeley was the oldest son of Richard Bulkeley, 3rd Viscount Bulkeley. His mother was Mary Egerton. Her father was Sir Philip Egerton from Cheshire.

Richard went to Christ's College, Cambridge in 1698. He earned his Master of Arts degree in 1700. In 1703, he married Bridget Bertie. Her father was James Bertie, 1st Earl of Abingdon. Richard became the 4th Viscount Bulkeley when his father passed away in 1704.

His Political Career

Richard Bulkeley held an important job as the Constable of Beaumaris Castle. He had this role from 1702 to 1716. After his father's death, Richard became a Member of Parliament for Anglesey. This happened in a special election in November 1704. He was re-elected in the 1705 English general election.

In 1705, he voted against the King's choice for Speaker of the House. In 1706, he became the Custos Rotulorum of Anglesey. This was a high-ranking official who kept county records. He held this position until 1715.

Richard was known for being proud and having a quick temper. By 1708, he and his family were often in arguments. These disputes were with local Whig leaders. One Whig leader, Owen Hughes, rented a ferry that Bulkeley controlled. When the rental agreement was up for renewal in 1706, Bulkeley gave it to other people. He had support from the Treasury, a government department.

Owen Hughes complained that Bulkeley was not taking care of Beaumaris Castle. Bulkeley received a small warning from the Treasury. Richard also had another argument with John Hooke, an old rival. This argument was about the local council, which Bulkeley was in charge of.

Elections and Political Views

In the 1708 British general election, Richard Bulkeley ran for Anglesey again. He won against his Whig opponent, Owen Meyrick. The arguments between Bulkeley and the Whigs continued throughout this time in Parliament.

Richard was not a very active Member of Parliament. However, he did vote against putting Dr. Sacheverell on trial in 1710. In the 1710 British general election, Bulkeley was re-elected for Anglesey without anyone running against him.

Under the government led by Robert Harley, Richard was seen as a "worthy patriot." This meant he helped show the mistakes of the previous government. He was also called a "Tory patriot" because he did not want the war to continue. He was also part of a group called the October Club.

In 1713, he voted for a bill about trade with France. After this, he was given the job of constable of Caernarvon Castle. Around this time, people thought he might support the Jacobites. The Jacobites wanted to bring back the old royal family to the throne. Some of his papers from 1713 and 1714 showed he had Jacobite sympathies.

He was re-elected as MP for Anglesey in the 1713 British general election. But he lost his seat in the 1715 British general election. He also lost all his public jobs within two years after the new King, George I, came to power.

Later Political Activities

Richard Bulkeley received letters from Jacobite supporters during the 1715 rebellion. Later, his servants were reported for drinking to the health of the "Pretender." The Pretender was the Jacobite claimant to the throne. In 1721, Richard and his friend Watkin Williams-Wynn burned pictures of the King and his family. With help from Williams-Wynn, Richard was re-elected as MP for Anglesey in the 1722 British general election.

Later Life and Family

Richard Bulkeley passed away in Bath on June 4, 1724. He and his wife, Bridget, had eight children:

• Richard (1707–1738) became the fifth viscount. He married Jane Owen. They did not have any children.
• James (1717–1752) became the sixth viscount. He married Emma Rowlands and they had children.
• Bridget died without marrying.
• Eleanor married George Harvey.
• Anne married William Bertie. He was the brother of Willoughby, 3rd Earl of Abingdon.
• Elizabeth married William Price.
• Lumley
• Sarah