CRAIG, James, of Scoutbush, co. Antrim.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1790-1820, ed. R. Thorne, 1986
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

31 Mar. 1807 - 1812

Family and Education

o.s. of James Craig of Carrickfergus by Jane, da. of Andrew Boyd of Prospect. m. twice (one wife d. 3 Apr. 1813); 4s. 4da.

Offices Held

Biography

Craig, an officer in the volunteers in 1779 and captain of the Carrickfergus True Blues 1792-3, contested his native borough unsuccessfully in 1797. He was chosen a burgess, 27 Sept. 1802. In the by-election and general election of 1807 he was the successful candidate on the Downshire interest and in the Parliament of 1807 voted frequently with opposition, being ascribed to them in party lists. On 7 Aug. 1807 he deplored the Irish arms bill. He voted for Catholic relief, 24 Apr. 1812, having claimed in debate four days before that three-quarters of the Protestants of Belfast favoured Catholic claims. At the ensuing general election he was bottom of the poll and declared an ‘irregular candidate’. He was still alive in 1822.

S. McSkimin, Carrickfergus, 339, 342, 405-6, 489, 507; Portland mss, PwF10520, 10522; Morning Chron. 26 June 1807.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: P. J. Jupp

Notes