LEGH, Peter (1707-92), of Lyme Hall, Cheshire and Bank Hall, Lancs.

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

15 Dec. 1743 - 1774

Family and Education

bap. 7 Jan. 1707, 1st surv. s. of Thomas Legh, M.P., by Henrietta, da. and h. of Thomas Fleetwood of Bank Hall.  educ. Westminster 1721-7; St. John’s, Camb. 1727.  m. 20 Dec. 1737, Martha, da. and h. of Thomas Bennett of Salthrop, Wilts., 2s. d.v.p. 3da. (1da. m. Anthony James Keck, another Robert Vernon Gwillym).  suc. fa. 1717; his niece at Bank 1740; his uncle at Lyme 1744.

Offices Held

Biography

The Leghs of Lyme Park, a very old Cheshire family, completely controlled the borough of Newton. Under George II Legh was classed as a Tory; under George III he belonged to the Opposition. His first recorded votes were against general warrants on 15 and 18 Feb. 1764; and Newcastle counted him among his ‘sure friends’. In July 1765 Rockingham classed him as ‘contra’, but he did not vote against the repeal of the Stamp Act. Henceforth he voted regularly with the Opposition.

He died 20 May 1792.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: John Brooke

Notes