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WARTON, Ralph (1656-1709), of Beverley, Yorks.
Available from Boydell and Brewer
Constituency
Dates
Family and Education
b. 11 July 1656, 3rd but 2nd surv. s. of Michael Warton†; bro. of Sir Michael Warton*. educ. Beverley sch.; St. John’s, Camb. 1673; Gray’s Inn, 1675. unm.1
Offices Held
Biography
Warton was returned unopposed at Beverley on his brother’s interest in 1695. Although an inactive Member, he appears to have acted as a member of the Country party, and probably shared his elder brother’s Whiggish outlook. In a forecast for the divisions on the proposed council of trade on 31 Jan. 1696 he was noted as likely to oppose the government, and he signed the Association promptly. In the following session he voted against the attainder of Sir John Fenwick† on 25 Nov. Successful in a contested election in 1698, Warton was afterwards listed as a likely opponent of a standing army, and was also classed as a Country supporter in a comparative analysis of the old and new Commons. He was returned unopposed in January 1701, though at the following election in November he was defeated by William Gee. He did not stand for Parliament again. He died on 22 Mar. 1709 and was buried at St. Mary’s, Beverley. By his will he left small sums of between £10 and £20 to various relatives, plus £20 to each parish in Beverley. The residue of his estate was inherited by his brother, Charles, who was also sole executor.2