Family and Education

b. 20 May 1752, s. of John Battie (who 1766 took name of Wrightson), of Sprotborough, Yorks. by Isabella, da. and h. of William Wrightson of Cusworth.  educ. Ch. Ch. Oxf. 1768; L. Inn 1771.  m. (I) 1 Jan. 1781 Barbara (d. 1782), da. of James Bland of Hurworth, co. Durham., s.p.; (2) 20 July 1787, Henrietta, da. and coh. of Richard Heber of Marton Hall, Yorks.1  suc. fa. 1785.

Offices Held

Sheriff, Yorks. 1819-20.

Biography

Wrightson at his election in 1784 had the support of the Duke of Portland, who on 27 Mar. 1784 wrote to Sir William Lee:

Mr. Wrightson, a gentleman of as independent principles as of fortune, will offer himself as a candidate for your protection at Aylesbury in conjunction or at least with the same political intentions as Mr. Bacon.

The nature of Wrightson’s connexion with Anthony Bacon or with Aylesbury is not known; but he received the support of Lee, whom Portland thanked for the share he contributed ‘to my friend Mr. Wrightson’s success’.2 In the House Wrightson voted regularly with the Opposition; but for Pitt’s motion on parliamentary reform, 18 Apr. 1785, which was not a party question.

Wrightson unsuccessfully contested Downton on Robert Shafto’s interest in 1790 and 1796, and was proposed at Hull in 1802 but withdrew.  He died 25 Dec. 1827.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Sir Lewis Namier

Notes

• 1. Dear Miss Heber, ed. Bamford.
• 2. Bucks. RO, Lee pprs.