HARVEY, Michael (c.1634-1712), of Clifton Maybank, Dorset

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1690-1715, ed. D. Hayton, E. Cruickshanks, S. Handley, 2002
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Mar. 1679 - Mar. 1681

Family and Education

b. c.1634, 1st s. of Michael Harvey, merchant, of Bishopsgate, London by his 2nd w. Mary, da. of John Mellish, merchant, of London; cos. of Daniel*, Edward* and William Harvey I*.  educ. G. Inn 1650; Emmanuel, Camb. 1651; Padua Univ. 1656.  m. (1) c.1662, Susan (d. 1663), da. of William Underwood, merchant, of St. Stephen Walbrook, London, s.p.; (2) lic. 1 Sept. 1664, Agnes, da. of Thomas Yeoman, s.psuc. fa. 1643.1

Offices Held

Sheriff, Dorset 1672–3.

Biography

Harvey had represented Weymouth as an Exclusionist from 1679 to 1681, only regaining his seat at the Revolution. After the 1690 election Lord Carmarthen (Sir Thomas Osborne†) listed him as a Whig. In April 1691 Robert Harley† classed him as a member of the Country party. Harvey was forecast as doubtful for the vote of 31 Jan. 1696 on the proposed council of trade. He signed the Association, but voted against the Court in March over fixing the price of guineas at 22s. On 25 Nov. he voted against the attainder of Sir John Fenwick†. He was granted a leave of absence to recover his health on 20 Mar. 1697. Again listed as a member of the Country party in September 1698, he was forecast as likely to oppose the standing army in October. He was blacklisted in 1701 as an opponent of preparations for war with France. He did not stand at the second general election of 1701, but contested a by-election the following year. As a Country party supporter, Harvey had previously been on good terms with the 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury (Anthony, Lord Ashley*), but they differed strongly in their attitude to the war. Shaftesbury therefore exerted his influence at Weymouth against Harvey and ensured his defeat. Harvey did not stand again for Parliament, and died on 19 Feb. 1712, aged 77, leaving his estate to his cousin, Edward Harvey.2

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Author: Paula Watson

Notes

  • 1. Misc. Gen. et Her. ser. 2, iii. 331, 362.
  • 2. Hutchins, Dorset, iv. 123.