BRISTOW, Robert (1688-1737), of Micheldever, Hants.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1715-1754, ed. R. Sedgwick, 1970
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

20 Dec. 1708 - 3 Nov. 1737

Family and Education

b. 18 Oct. 1688, 1st s. of Robert Bristow, M.P., of Micheldever by Katherine, da. of Robert Woolley, vintner, of London; bro. of John Bristow. m. 1709, Sarah, da. of Sir John Ward of Squerryes, Kent, 4s. suc. fa. 1706, gd.-fa. 1707.

Offices Held

Director, Bank of England 1713-16, 1718-20, E.I. Co. 1716-17; commr. for stating army debts 1716-21; clerk of the Green Cloth 1720-d.

Biography

Bristow was the grandson of Robert Bristow, who migrated to Virginia about 1660, made a great fortune there, returned to England, where he bought estates in various counties, including property near Winchelsea, founded a merchant’s business in London, and was a director of the Bank of England from 1697 till his death ten years later. Returned while still under age for Winchelsea, which his father had represented 1698-1700, after George I’s accession he voted with the Government, except on the peerage bill, which he opposed. In 1720 he obtained a place in the royal household, which he retained till his death, 3 Nov. 1737, when it passed to his son, Robert. One of his sisters married Sir John Hobart, 1st Earl of Buckinghamshire; another married Francis Howard, 1st Earl of Effingham, becoming one of the ladies of the bedchamber of the Princess of Wales.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Romney R. Sedgwick

Notes