Sir Edward Lawrence, 1st Baronet facts for kids

Sir Edward Lawrence, 1st Baronet (born before 1674 – died 1749) was an important English politician. He came from St Ives, Huntingdonshire. Sir Edward was a member of the Whig political party and served in the English and British Parliament from 1705 to 1710.

Early Life and Career

Edward Lawrence was born sometime before the year 1674. His father was Reverend Paul Lawrence, who was a church leader in Tangmere, Sussex. His mother was Jane Palmer.

In 1700, Edward bought a special job called "gentleman usher of the privy chamber." This job meant he helped the King or Queen and earned a good salary. He was made a knight in 1701, which gave him the title "Sir." In 1702, he became a "Gentleman of the Privy Chamber," a role he kept until 1726.

Political Journey

Sir Edward Lawrence was a member of the Whig party. This was one of the main political groups in England at the time. The Whigs generally supported the power of Parliament and a limited monarchy.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

In the 1705 election, Sir Edward was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for a place called Stockbridge. An MP is someone elected to represent people in Parliament. He voted for the person the King or Queen wanted to be the Speaker of the House.

Key Votes and Actions

Sir Edward often supported the government's plans. For example, in 1706, he backed a part of a bill about who would rule if the King or Queen couldn't. He also helped the Whig party by counting votes during important discussions.

He became a Justice of the Peace for Middlesex. This meant he helped keep law and order in that area. In the 1708 election, he was again elected as an MP for Stockbridge without anyone running against him.

Supporting Newcomers

In 1709, Sir Edward supported a law to allow people from a region called Palatine to become British citizens. This was a big deal at the time. In 1710, he voted to remove a famous preacher, Dr. Sacheverell, from his position.

End of His Time in Parliament

Sir Edward decided not to run for Parliament again in the 1710 election. The next year, he was removed from his role as a Justice of the Peace for Westminster and Middlesex.

Later Life and Legacy

On January 17, 1748, Sir Edward Lawrence was given the special title of Baronet. This is a hereditary title, meaning it can be passed down in a family. He was the first person in his family to have this title.

Sir Edward Lawrence never married. He passed away on May 2, 1749. After his death, his nephew, Isaac Woollaston, inherited his title.