RAMSDEN, John II (c.1657-1718), of Norton, Yorks.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1660-1690, ed. B.D. Henning, 1983
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Family and Education

b. c.1657, o.s. of William Ramsden. educ. Chesterfield g.s. (Mr Needham); Ferriby (Mr Spademan), Sidney Sussex, Camb. 1674, BA 1677. m. 18 Oct. 1681, Catherine (d. 20 May 1737), da. of John Dawnay, 1st Visct. Downe [I], 1s. d.v.p. 3da. suc. fa. 1680.1

Offices Held

J.p. Yorks. (W. Riding) 1682-Sept. 1688, (E. and W. Ridings) ?1689-d.; commr. for assessment, Hull 1689-90, (E. Riding) 1689; dep. lt. (E. Riding) 1689-?d.2

Biography

Ramsden cannot be readily distinguished from John Ramsden of Longley Hall until the latter was created a baronet in 1689, particularly since he did not follow his father’s trade, but bought an estate in the West Riding and built himself a mansion. Probably a ‘trimmer’ like his father-in-law, he was returned for Hull as a corporation candidate after a contest in 1685, but he was an inactive Member of James II’s Parliament. His only committee was for reform of the bankruptcy laws. He gave the same negative answers as Lord Downe on the repeal of the Test Act and Penal Laws in 1688. He was again successful for the Convention, presumably as a Tory; but he did not vote to agree with the lords that the throne was not vacant. He was given leave of absence on 25 Mar. 1689, and was subsequently appointed only to the committee on the bill for preventing the making of cane chairs. Re-elected in 1690 he died at Owston on 26 Mar. 1718, aged 61, and was buried at Campsall, the last of his family.3

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Authors: P. A. Bolton / Paula Watson / Basil Duke Henning

Notes

  • 1. Hunter, S. Yorks. ii. 473; Clay, Dugdale’s Vis. Yorks. ii. 335; Fam. Min. Gent. (Harl. Soc. xxxviii), 781.
  • 2. SP44/340/25; Add. 29674, ff. 160-1.
  • 3. Hull corp. mss L1064.