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ORME, Robert (c.1669-1711), of Woolavington, Suss.
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Family and Education
b. c.1669, o. s. posth. of Robert Orme of Peterborough, Northants. by Mary, da. and h. of Henry Garton of Woolavington. educ. Stamford, Lincs. (Mr Robert Smith); Trinity Coll. Camb. adm. June 1688, aged 18. m. 21 Apr. 1691, Dorothea (d. 1736), da. of John Dawnay†, 1st Visct. Downe [I], 2s. (1 d.v.p.). suc. fa. at birth; uncle William Garton 1675.1
Offices Held
Biography
Orme’s family were formerly of Peterborough, but on the death of his mother’s half-brother, William Garton, in 1675 Orme inherited all the Garton estates in Sussex, including the manors of Woolavington, Graffham and East Dean near Midhurst. He first attempted to enter Parliament in 1695 when he unsuccessfully contested for one of the county seats. At the 1698 election he was returned unopposed as a Tory, and in an analysis of the new Parliament was classed as a supporter of the Country party. Although evidently determined to be an MP, he was inactive and left little trace on the records. Though choosing not to stand for re-election in January 1701, he failed in his efforts to regain his seat in December. At the election the following summer he transferred to Midhurst, but once more was defeated. He stood again for Midhurst in 1705, this time with success, and was classed as a ‘Churchman’ in a list compiled soon afterwards. In lists compiled shortly before and just after the election of 1708 he was identified as a Tory. Although he retained his seat at this election, he was unseated on petition on 8 Mar. 1709. Despite a rumour that ill-health would prevent him standing again, he recaptured his seat in 1710. He was classed as a Tory in the ‘Hanover list’ and in 1711 as one of the ‘worthy patriots’ who assisted in the exposure of the mismanagements of the previous administration. He died in April 1711 and was buried at Woolavington. His son, Garton Orme, sat for Arundel from 1739 to 1754.2