Family and Education

b. 1646, 2nd but 1st surv. s. of (Sir) George Horner I. educ. L. Inn 1663. m. Elizabeth (d. 5 Sept. 1693), da. of Robert Fortescue of Buckland Filleigh, Devon, 3s. (1 d.v.p.) 4 da. suc. fa. 1677.1

Offices Held

Commr. for assessment, Som. 1673-80, 1689-90, j.p. 1675-Feb. 1688, Oct. 1688-d., lt.-col. of militia ft. by 1679, col. by 1681-?87, sheriff 1680-1, dep. lt. 1680-7, 1689-d.2

Biography

Horner opposed exclusion, and in 1681 it was reported that his militia regiment had been earmarked by the ‘fanatics’ for a more sympathetic commander. He was returned for the county in 1685, but left no trace on the records of James II’s Parliament. He refused his consent to the repeal of the Test Act and Penal Laws and was deprived of local office. But he signed the Somerset declaration in favour of the Prince of Orange and was re-elected to the Convention. He was again entirely inactive, and is not recorded as voting to agree with the Lords on the abdication. He was given leave of absence on 6 Dec. 1689 and probably never stood again. He died on 11 Mar. 1707 and was buried at Mells. His son was returned for the county as a Tory in 1713 and 1727.3

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Author: Irene Cassidy

Notes

• 1. Hutchins, Dorset, ii. 667; Collinson, Som. ii. 464.
• 2. Q. Sess. Recs. (Som. Rec. Soc. xxxiv), p. xiii; CSP Dom. 1679-80, p. 62; 1680-1, p. 352.
• 3. CSP Dom. 1680-1, p. 352; E. Green, March of Wm. of Orange through Som., 57-58.