Sir Henry Peyton, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Sir Henry Dashwood Peyton, 1st Baronet (1736–1789) was an important English politician. He lived in Doddington, Cambridgeshire, and served in the House of Commons from 1782 until he passed away in 1789. The House of Commons is a main part of the British Parliament, where laws are made.
Early Life and Becoming a Baronet
Henry Dashwood was born in 1736. His parents were George Dashwood and Margaret Peyton. His mother was the daughter of Sir Sewster Peyton, a Baronet from Doddington.
When his father died in 1762, Henry inherited his family's land. Later, in 1771, he also inherited land from his uncle. At this time, he decided to change his last name to Peyton to honor his uncle's family.
In 1771, Henry married Frances Rous. Her father was also a Baronet, Sir John Rous. Henry's estates were in Doddington, Cambridgeshire, and Narborough Hall in Norfolk.
A few years later, in 1776, Henry was given a special title: he became a Baronet. This is a hereditary title, meaning it can be passed down in the family, similar to a knight but with a higher rank. In 1778, he was chosen to be the High Sheriff of Norfolk. The High Sheriff was a very important official in a county, responsible for law and order.
Political Career in Parliament
Sir Henry Dashwood Peyton became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Cambridgeshire in 1782. An MP is a person elected to represent their area in the House of Commons. He won his seat in a special election called a by-election. He had strong support from important people like the Duke of Rutland and Lord Hardwicke.
One of his fellow MPs, Philip Yorke, described Sir Henry as a "country gentleman." This meant he was a landowner who lived in the countryside, perhaps not as experienced in city life or politics as others. However, he was re-elected without opposition in the 1784 British general election, showing he had good support from the people he represented.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1787, Sir Henry was elected as a Bailiff for the Bedford Level Corporation. This organization was very important for managing the drainage of the Fens, a large area of flat, marshy land in eastern England. He held this position until his death.
Sir Henry Dashwood Peyton passed away on May 1, 1789. He and his wife Frances had two sons and three daughters. His eldest son, also named Henry, became the 2nd Baronet after him. His daughter, Harriet Peyton, later married Thomas Kingscote in 1794.
