Family and Education

b. c.1658, 1st s. of Sir Thomas Earle, M.P., mayor of Bristol, and bro. of Giles Earle. m. (lic. 18 Nov. 1689) Elizabeth, da. of Sir Thomas Cann, merchant of Bristol, 1da. d.v.p. suc. fa. 1696.

Offices Held

Master of the Merchant Venturers of Bristol 1721-2.

Biography

Joseph Earle was a merchant of Bristol, which he represented in four Parliaments. Classed in 1715 as a Whig, he opposed the septennial bill, supported the repeal of the Occasional Conformity and Schism Acts, and was absent on the peerage bill. In 1719 he was one of the ministerial ‘underlings’ who opposed a Tory election petition till two in the morning.1 Re-elected at the head of the poll in 1722, he lost his seat at the next general election, during which

old Earle came into the Hall the first day and demanded a poll which, being granted, he was asked who he chose to manage his election. He answered ‘The Devil, by G-d’; so polled two men and went off!2

He died 10 or 13 Mar. 1730 aged 72, leaving his property to his brothers, with remainder to the son of his daughter Eleanor by William Benson.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Shirley Matthews

Notes

• 1. HMC Portland, v. 577.
• 2. Jas. Pearce to Humphry Morice, 9 Sept. 1727, Morice mss at Bank of England.