Family and Education

b. aft. 1721, 2nd s. of William, 1st Visct. Bateman [I], and brother of John, 2nd Visct. Bateman [I]. m. 17 Feb. 1755, cos. Anne Maria, da. of Charles Hedges of Finchley, Mdx.

Offices Held

Lt. R.N. Jan 1744, capt. Dec. 1745, res. 5 May 1751; equerry to Princess Amelia 1745-56; extra commr. of the navy May 1756-61; comptroller of store-keeper’s accounts Mar. 1761-d.

Biography

Bateman, an ex-naval officer with a minor post in the royal Household, was brought in at Gatton by the Rev. John Tattersall, who controlled one seat there, probably on the recommendation of the Duke of Bedford, at the request of Bateman’s cousin, the Duke of Marlborough. Soon after his return his mother wrote to her kinsman, the Duke of Newcastle:

I would not be wanting in putting you in mind, that you have given me your word to get for my son William something proper for him to accept of, proper for the grandson of the Earl of Sunderland. There will soon now be a vacancy of a groom of the bedchamber to the Prince of Wales. You may I am sure, get it for him if you please, his character I will dare to say cannot be objected to, of his mother’s side he has a right to anything, and I hope his father’s family will not be brought in as an objection to a place about H.R.H., who has Mr. Stone dine at his table.1

He did not get the post. He was proposed for election at Camelford by Bedford as part of an arrangement there in 1754,2 but this fell through. He died 19 June 1783.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes

• 1. Add. 32730, f. 33.
• 2. Sam. Martin to Pelham, 8 Oct. 1753, Newcastle (Clumber) mss.