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HUNGERFORD, Walter (1675-1754), of Studley House, nr. Calne, Wilts.
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Biography Detail
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Family and Education
b. 9 July 1675,1 1st surv. s. of Sir George Hungerford M.P., of Cadenham, Wilts. by Frances, da. of Charles Seymour, M.P., 2nd Baron Seymour of Trowbridge, sis. of the 5th and 6th Dukes of Somerset. m. 22 Nov. 1703, Elizabeth Dodson of St. Clement Danes,2 s.p. suc. fa. 1714.
Offices Held
Commr. of appeals in the excise 1708-14; sheriff, Wilts. 1727-8.
Biography
Walter Hungerford was descended from the 1st Lord Hungerford whose grandson acquired the manors of Studley and Cadenham in 1468.3 His father had represented both Calne and the county and his elder brother George was M.P. for the borough at his death in 1698. As a young man he went to sea with a loan of £500 from his father, against whom he later raised an ‘unchristian’ and lengthy suit in Chancery.4 Returned for Calne in 1701, he did not stand again till 1715 when he was defeated. Successful in 1734 and 1741, he voted against the Spanish convention in 1739 but thenceforth supported the Administration. His only known speeches were on 16 Mar. 1739, when he opposed a motion to take the duty off Irish yarn, and on 6 Dec. 1743, when he spoke against an opposition motion to discontinue the Hanoverians in English pay.5 On the reconstruction of the ministry in December he wrote to Walpole, now Lord Orford,
During my long service in Parliament, I have seen many vacancies filled and places given to gentlemen of much later sitting there, and not more zealous in the support of the Administration, without once experiencing any of their favours ... My Lord, the late incident must occasion many alterations and gives an opportunity to my friends to move for me. I earnestly therefore entreat your Lordship’s early application and recommendation of me to be provided for at this juncture in some post or other.6
Classed as an Old Whig in 1746, he did not stand again, dying 31 May 1754.
