PHILIPPS, Hector (d. 1693), of The Priory, Cardigan.

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
1689 - 18 Mar. 1693

Family and Education

2nd surv. s. of Hector Philipps of The Priory by his 1st w. Anne, da. of William Wogan of Wiston, Pemb.; bro. of James Philipps†.  educ. I. Temple 1655.  m. (1) c.1660, Mary, da. of Philip Skippon† of Foulsham, Norf., sis. of Sir Philip Skippon*, 1da.; (2) c.1673, Margaret (d. 1717), da. of Richard Owen of Rhiwsaeson, Mont., wid. of James Stedman of Strata Florida, Card., s.psuc. bro. 1674.1

Offices Held

Commr. scandalous ministers, S. Wales 1654, security 1655–6.

Mayor, Cardigan 1657–8, 1666–7, 1678–9; sheriff, Card. Jan.–Nov. 1688.2

Biography

With his elder brother James, Hector Philipps had been active in local administration in south Wales under the Commonwealth and Protectorate. Succession to the family estate, which brought with it control of the county borough and thus a predominant influence in the Cardigan Boroughs constituency, was followed in due course by election to the first Exclusion Parliament, when he was marked as ‘honest’ by Shaftesbury and voted for the Exclusion bill. His interest proved strong enough for him to retain the seat for the rest of his life. Dropped from the commission of the peace in 1687, and pricked as sheriff in January 1688 to prevent him standing for James II’s projected Parliament, he refused his consent to the repeal of the Test Act and Penal Laws. A list of the vote of 18 Feb. 1689 on the transfer of the crown, compiled by Lord Ailesbury (Thomas Bruce†), surprisingly placed him with those who agreed with the Lords on the vacancy of the throne, but Lord Carmarthen (Sir Thomas Osborne†) still marked him as a Whig in his analysis of the new House of Commons in March 1690. A year later Robert Harley* classed him with the supporters of the Court. He was no more active in this Parliament, however, than he had been in the Convention. Philipps died on 18 Mar. 1693, presumably in London, and was buried, according to a contemporary newsletter, ‘in St. Martin’s church’. Cardigan Priory passed to the Pryses of Gogerddan, who in turn became the leading power in Cardigan Boroughs.3

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Author: D. W. Hayton

Notes

  • 1. DWB, 754; W. Wales Hist. Recs. viii. 100–1.
  • 2. Thurloe SP, iii. 583; Cal. Treas. Bks. viii. 1253; info. from Maj. Francis Jones.
  • 3. A. H. Dodd, Studies in Stuart Wales, 150; W. R. Williams, Old Wales, i. 316; Folger Shakespeare Lib. Newdigate newsletter 21 Mar. 1693; DWB, 754.