Family and Education

b. c.1665, 1st s. of Thomas Wyndham† of Witham Friary by Frances, da. of John Codrington of Codrington and Didmarton, Glos.  educ. Magdalen, Oxf. matric. 15 July 1682, aged 17; L. Inn 1683.  m. Jane Gifford of Cannington, Som., wid. of Fortescue Tynte of Halswell, Som., s.p.  suc. fa. 1689.1

Offices Held

Biography

Wyndham’s father, who had represented Wells under James II and in the 1689 Convention, was a younger son of John Wyndham of Orchard Wyndham, Somerset and the uncle of Sir Edward Wyndham, 2nd Bt.* His wife was the widow of a younger son of Sir Halswell Tynte, 1st Bt., a former MP for Bridgwater. With his father he joined the Prince of Orange at Exeter in 1688, and following his father’s suicide in December 1689 successfully contested Wells in the 1690 election with the support of Viscount Weymouth (Thomas Thynne†). Lord Carmarthen (Sir Thomas Osborne†) noted him as a Tory at the beginning of the new Parliament, and in several other lists as a probable Court supporter, while in April 1691 Robert Harley classed him as a ‘doubtful’ member of the Country party. The presence at this time in the House of two other MPs with the Wyndham surname makes it impossible to discern any possible parliamentary activity. He was accorded a grant of leave for reasons of health on 25 Jan. 1695. Occasional references to him as captain or colonel can only relate to his militia commissions, being also a deputy-lieutenant, as he does not appear to have held army rank. He stood initially for re-election in 1695 but withdrew before the poll. His death was reported to Under-Secretary John Ellis* on 10 Oct. 1697.2

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Authors: Paula Watson / Andrew A. Hanham

Notes

• 1. H. A. Wyndham, Wyndham Fam. ped.; Collinson, Som. ii. 234–5; Bristol and Glos. Arch. Soc. Trans. xxi. 327.
• 2. Bath mss at Longleat House, Thynne pprs. 24, ff. 165, 174; CSP Dom. 1690–1, p. 358; Add. 28879, f. 227; 28881, f. 502.