OLIVER, Charles Silver (c.1763-1817), of Inchera, co. Limerick.

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

Constituency

Dates

1802 - 1806

Family and Education

b. c.1763, 2nd s. of Silver Oliver, MP [I], of Castle Oliver by Isabella Sarah, da. and coh. of Richard Newman of Newbury, co. Cork. [m.1759]. educ. Eton 1778-80. m. [Jan.] 1805, Maria Elizabeth, da. of Abraham Morris of Dunkettle, co. Cork, 3s. 4da.

Offices Held

MP [I] 1798-1800.

?Cornet, 4 Horse 1786; lt. 7 Drag. 1788-90.

Sheriff, co. Limerick 1791-2.

Commdt. Kilfinane yeomanry 1796-1807.

Biography

Oliver was returned to the last Irish parliament for the family borough of Kilmallock, which was disfranchised at the Union. His father, who died in 1799, had represented county Limerick in two parliaments and in 1802 Oliver aspired to and obtained the honour, nudging aside his brother-in-law John Waller*. His success was reportedly due to Lord Clare’s interest. When Oliver voted with opposition for an inquiry into the Prince of Wales’s finances, 4 Mar. 1803, the Castle commented: ‘not like a respectable county Member’, but there is no other evidence of his deserting government. On the other hand, he was clearly an unreliable attender. ‘May attend’ (spring 1804) and ‘will be over soon after the meeting. Prepared to attend’ (29 Dec. 1804) were typical comments, and although Pitt’s ministry considered him a supporter, they could get no reply to their circular for attendance in June 1805. Oliver did not seek re-election in 1806. He died 10 Oct. 1817.

Add. 35766, f. 321.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: Arthur Aspinall

Notes