Sir William Meredith, 3rd Baronet facts for kids
Sir William Meredith, 3rd Baronet (born around 1725 – died January 2, 1790) was an important British landowner. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a part of the British Parliament, from 1754 to 1780. He belonged to a political group called the Rockingham Whigs. He also worked as a Lord of the Admiralty from 1765 to 1766, which meant he helped manage the British Navy.
Contents
Who Was Sir William Meredith?
His Family and Early Years
Sir William Meredith was born around 1725. His father was Amos Meredith, and his mother was Johanna Cholmondely. When he was 18, in 1743, he started studying at Christ Church, Oxford University. His father passed away in 1744. Later, in 1752, Sir William inherited his family's special title, a "baronetcy," and their lands after his grandfather, also named Sir William Meredith, died.
Sir William's Political Journey
Becoming a Member of Parliament
Sir William Meredith began his political career in 1754. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for Wigan without anyone running against him. This meant he easily won the election.
In 1761, he decided to run for Parliament in Liverpool instead, because there was more competition in Wigan. He won the election in Liverpool after a close race.
Working for the Government
From 1765 to 1766, Sir William served as a Lord of the Admiralty. This was an important job where he helped oversee the British Navy. He was part of the Rockingham Whigs political group during this time.
He was re-elected for Liverpool without opposition in 1768. In 1774, he became a member of the Privy Council, which is a group of important advisors to the King. He was also given the role of Comptroller of the Household, a position that involved managing the royal household. He was re-elected again in 1774 without anyone running against him.
Challenges and Retirement
Sir William Meredith was known for spending a lot of money. In 1779, he had to sell his family's estate, Henbury Hall, for £24,000. This was a very large sum of money back then. He did not run for Parliament in 1780 because he was not well. He tried to run again in Liverpool in 1784 but decided to stop before the election was over.
Later Life and Remembering Sir William
His Final Years
Sir William Meredith never married. He passed away in Lyons, France, on January 2, 1790. His only brother, Theophilus, had died earlier in 1775 and had only a daughter. Because Sir William had no children and his brother's line ended, the baronetcy title ended with him.
His Sisters and Their Families
Sir William had several sisters:
- Elizabeth married William Bankes. Their son, William, became a High Sheriff of Lancashire, a high-ranking official.
- Henrietta married Frederick Vane.
- Anne married Barlow Trecothick in 1770, who was the Lord Mayor of London at the time.
- Anna-Margaretta was the third wife of Assheton Curzon, 1st Viscount Curzon.
- Mary married two times. First, she married Laurence Shirley, 4th Earl Ferrers, and later, she married Lord Frederick Campbell.
A Town Named After Him
The town of Meredith, New Hampshire, in the United States, was named after Sir William Meredith. This shows that he was a recognized figure even across the Atlantic.]
