Family and Education

b. 31 Jan. 1643, 2nd s. of Edward Stokes of Tytherton, Wilts. by Mary Abjohn of London.  m. (1) 15 Feb. 1675, Jane or Jeane (d. 1678), da. of Duke Stonehouse† of Stock House, Great Bedwyn, Wilts., sis. of Francis Stonehouse*, 1s.; (2) Mary, da. of Thomas Brooke of Whitchurch, wid. of Richard Ayliffe† of Whitchurch, s.p.1

Offices Held

Biography

The Stokes family had been settled in Wiltshire since the 14th century and Stokes himself had an estate at Amesbury. By his second marriage he acquired the lease of the rectory at Whitchurch, Hampshire, which gave him a political interest in that borough. Returned at a by-election in 1692, his name was added to Robert Harley’s* 1691 list of the House, on which he was classified as ‘doubtful’, though in 1693 he was listed as a Court supporter by Grascome. Stokes was returned for Whitchurch in a contested election in 1695. He was forecast as likely to support the Court in the division on the proposed council of trade on 31 Jan. 1696, was an early subscriber to the Association in February, and in March he voted with the Court for fixing the price of guineas at 22s. Stokes died early in 1698, a new writ being issued on 22 Mar.2

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Author: Paula Watson

Notes

• 1. Wilts. Arch. Mag. xxxi. 183; Misc. Gen. et Her. ser. 2, ii. 27; Hoare, Wilts. Amesbury, ii. 74; Coll. Top. et Gen. v. 35; PCC 13, 63 Noel; HMC Lords, n.s. iv. 488–9.
• 2. Wilts. N. and Q. vi. 193–7; HMC Lords, 488–9; Luttrell Diary, 132.