HOSTE, James (1705-44), of Sandringham, Norf.

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

Constituency

Dates

4 Apr. 1728 - 1734

Family and Education

bap. 15 Oct. 1705, s. of James Hoste by his 2nd w. Anne Bresley. educ. Corpus Christi, Camb. 1722. m. Susan, da. of Anthony Hammond of South Wootton, Norf., uncle of James Hammond, 1da.

Offices Held

Biography

Hoste was descended from Jacques Hooste of Middleburgh, Zealand, who fled to England in 1569; his grandfather, a wealthy merchant, bought the estate of Sandringham; and his father’s first wife, Elizabeth Walpole, was Sir Robert Walpole’s aunt. Put up for Bramber on the Gough interest in 1727, he obtained 19 votes against 11 for John Gumley, William Pulteney’s brother-in-law, who however was awarded the seat by the returning officer, nine of Hoste’s votes being disallowed.1 When his petition came before the Commons, Pulteney suggested that the reason why it

was pushed in this manner was because the sitting Member was his relation and Mr. Hoste, the petitioner, a relation of another person’s, viz. Sir R. Walpole, upon which Sir George Oxenden said that gentleman was always flinging out reflections and this was one on the whole House, and a scandal as if every Member acted under an attachment to one man or the other, and that whenever he did reflect so he neither could nor would not sit still. Mr. Pulteney replied that what he spoke in the House he always thought right and would justify it either in or out of the House; and then the debate went on, but some time after ... Mr. Pelham took notice that by something he had heard behind he apprehended that matter was not yet at an end and said it was usual for the gentlemen to give their words on the like occasion; so Sir George Oxenden said he had nothing to say, for what fell on justifying in the House or out did not fall from him, and then Pulteney explained himself in a little softer manner and both said they meant nothing farther in it and so it ended.2

Seated by the Commons, Hoste voted with the Government in every recorded division. He did not stand again, dying 20 Aug. 1744.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Romney R. Sedgwick

Notes

  • 1. 'State of ... Bramber', Lowndes mss, W. Sussex RO.
  • 2. Knatchbull Diary, 12 Mar. 1728.