Sir Henry Seymour, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Sir Henry Seymour, 1st Baronet (born October 20, 1674 – died April 1714), was an important English landowner and politician. He lived at Langley in Buckinghamshire. Sir Henry was a member of the English House of Commons and later the British House of Commons from 1699 to 1713. He belonged to the Tory political group.
Early Life and Family Background
Henry Seymour was the second son of Henry Seymour, who also lived in Langley, Buckinghamshire. His mother was Ursula Austen. Henry's grandfather was Sir Edward Seymour. When Henry was just seven years old, on July 4, 1681, he was given the special title of 1st Baronet Seymour of Langley. This meant he was the first person in his family to hold this specific noble rank.
When his father passed away in 1687, Henry inherited Langley Park, a large estate. He also inherited a special job related to government paperwork, though he didn't do the job himself. From 1693, he spent three years traveling in other countries, which was common for young noblemen at the time.
Political Career in Parliament
Sir Henry Seymour became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area called East Looe. He first joined Parliament in January 1699. He was chosen without anyone running against him, thanks to the support of his cousin, Bishop Trelawny.
He continued to be elected as an MP for East Looe in several elections, including those in 1701, 1702, 1705, 1708, and 1710. He was always elected without opposition, showing he was very popular in his area.
In Parliament, Sir Henry was known for his political views. For example, in 1705, he voted against the person supported by the King's government for the role of Speaker of the House. This showed he was independent. In 1710, he voted against the impeachment (a formal accusation) of Dr. Sacheverell, a well-known preacher. Sir Henry was also part of a group called the "October Club," which worked to find problems in the way the government had been run before.
He decided not to run for election in 1713, possibly because he was not feeling well.
Later Life and Legacy
Sir Henry Seymour passed away in London in April 1714. He never married and did not have any children. After his death, Langley Park, his family estate in Buckinghamshire, was sold to Samuel Masham, who was the 1st Baron Masham.
