Family and Education

b. ?1723, s. of William Burton of Herringswell, Suff. by Grace née Phillipson. educ. Eton 1732; M. Temple 1741; Emmanuel, Camb. 28 Jan. 1742, aged 18. unm. Took name of Phillipson by Act of Parl. 1766.

Offices Held

Cornet 1 Drag. 1744, lt. 1746, capt.-lt. 1750, capt. 1751, maj. 1759, lt.-col. 1761; lt.-col. 1 Drag. 1771, col. 1775; col. 20 Drag. 1779-85, maj.-gen. 1779; col. 3 Drag. Gds. 1785-d., lt.-gen. 1787.

Biography

There was some doubt whether Phillipson, Lord Cornwallis’s veteran Member for Eye, would offer for re-election in 1790, but as Cornwallis was having difficulties about a replacement he was glad to be able to postpone that decision, thanks to the old general’s agreeing to stand. Increasing ill health and deafness limited his attendance and he never spoke in debate. His allegiance was to Pitt. In April 1791 he was listed hostile to the repeal of the Test Act in Scotland, and in August he was reported well and ‘less than usually inclined to drowsiness’, but Cornwallis was anticipating a replacement. He died 18 Aug. 1792.

Kent AO, Cornwallis mss C1, Cornwallis to bp. of Lichfield, 7 Dec. 1789, 20 Aug. 1791.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: Winifred Stokes

Notes