Family and Education

bap. 4 Mar. 1643, 2nd but 1st surv. s. of Henry Northleigh of Peamore by Lettice, da. of Edward Yarde of Bradleigh, Devon.  educ. King’s Coll. Camb. 1660; M. Temple 1663.  m. 16 Oct. 1682, Susan, da. of John Sparke, dyer, of Exeter, 4s. 5da.  suc. fa. c.1676.1

Offices Held

Sheriff, Devon 1680–1; freeman, Exeter 1681.2

Biography

Northleigh, who owned much property in Okehampton, joined the Prince of Orange at Exeter in 1688 but voted against the transfer of the crown in 1689. A follower of Sir Edward Seymour, 4th Bt.*, he was classed by Lord Carmarthen (Sir Thomas Osborne†) as a Tory in March 1690. Carmarthen also noted him in December as a likely supporter in the event of an attack on his ministerial position, while a further list among Robert Harley’s* papers, drawn up in around April 1691, classed him as a Country supporter. However, Northleigh’s sole imprint on proceedings was as an absentee. He was reported on 30 Apr. 1690 to be out of town without leave of absence, and was a defaulter when the House was called over on 16 Nov. 1691, upon which he was ordered into the custody of the serjeant-at-arms. On 7 Dec., however, the House was informed that Northleigh ‘is very ill and has been for some time and that the same is certified by his physician’. He was given six weeks’ leave of absence on 9 Feb. 1693 and probably never attended the House again. His death from a fever occurred on 31 Jan. 1694. His personal estate at death amounted to £1,200, and a private bill was passed the next year to enable trustees to settle his debts and to provide for his family. His widow later married Edward Yarde*.3

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes

• 1. Vivian, Vis. Devon, 584; Devon and Cornw. N. and Q. xx. 134–5; PCC 95 Bence; Cal. Devon Wills (Index Lib. xxxv), 132.
• 2. Exeter Freemen (Devon and Cornw. Rec. Soc. ex. ser. i), 174.
• 3. Lysons, Devon, 235, 293; HMC Lords, n.s. i. 426; Vivian, 584, 831.