GROVE, William Chafin (c.1731-93), of Zeals, Wilts.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1754-1790, ed. L. Namier, J. Brooke., 1964
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

1768 - 1774

Family and Education

b. c.1731, 1st s. of Chafin Grove of Zeals by his w. Ann Amor. educ. Sutton; St. John’s, Camb. 30 Apr. 1750, aged 18; M. Temple 1750, called 1756. m. 7 Oct. 1776, his distant cos. Elizabeth, da. of John Grove of Ferne House, nr. Shaftesbury, 1s. suc. fa. 31 Jan. 1761.

Offices Held

Recorder, Weymouth 1774-86; sheriff, Wilts. 1784-5.

Biography

In 1768 Grove was returned for Shaftesbury after a contest. In Parliament he voted consistently with Opposition. In 1774 he declined to contest Shaftesbury because of the expense; and was returned unopposed for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis, where he had some property. On the outbreak of the American war he went over to Government. The English Chronicle in 1780 wrote of him:

An invariable and inveterate advocate for Administration, but not distinguished in any particular degree for any other quality either good or bad.

But on the contractors bill, 12 Feb. 1779, he was classed by Robinson as ‘contra, absent, query doubtful’, and he voted against Dunning’s motion, 6 Apr. 1780. Robinson in his survey for the general election of 1780 classed him as ‘hopeful’.

He vacated his seat in April 1781; and died 27 Jan. 1793, aged 62.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: John Brooke

Notes