Family and Education

b. 20 Apr. 1775, 3rd s. of Arthur Chichester^†, 1st Mq. of Donegall, by Lady Anne Hamilton, da. of James, 5th Duke of Hamilton and Brandon. m. 8 Aug. 1795, Lady Harriet Stewart, da. of John Stewart^†, 7th Earl of Galloway [S], 2s. 3da.

Offices Held

MP [I] 1797-8.

Biography

Chichester was brought into the last Irish parliament for the family borough of Carrickfergus, but chose to sit briefly for Belfast, where he was also elected. In 1802 his brother the 2nd Marquess brought him in for Carrickfergus, where he faced a contest. He made no mark at Westminster, though living in England on property at Fisherwick, Staffordshire left him by his father. In 1804 he was listed first a friend of the Prince of Wales and then doubtful. In December 1804 he was reported to have been urged by his brother to attend, ‘but whether he will or not is matter of uncertainty’.1 In July 1805 he was still ‘doubtful’. The Grenville ministry was prepared to support his re-election in 1806 ‘if Lord Donegall supports’, and Chichester, who was courted for his interest in county Wexford, was unopposed, though still ‘doubtful’. By 9 Feb. 1807, the Treasury had received his application for the Chiltern Hundreds. Fremantle informed the chief secretary: ‘Of course we can’t refuse it, but as he professes friendship I am anxious to know from you whether we shall suffer by the exchange of another Member’. When Chichester vacated in March, it was supposed to be certain that he would be replaced by a family connexion, but his substitute was defeated.2 He died at Paris, 22 Feb. 1819.3

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: Arthur Aspinall

Notes

• 1. Add. 35754, f. 296; J. Wilson, Biog. Index (1806), 125.
• 2. Spencer mss, Irish list, May 1806; NLS mss 12917, Newport to Elliot, 16 Apr., 30 June 1806; 12918, Fremantle to same, 9 Feb.; 12911, Elliot to Fremantle, 14 Feb., 11 Mar. 1807.
• 3. Gent. Mag. (1819), i. 280 gives 23 Feb.