Family and Education

b. 17 Nov. 1715, 3rd but 1st surv. s. of John Osborn of Chicksands (who d.v.p., 1st s. of Sir John Osborn, 2nd Bt.), by Sarah, da. of George Byng, 1st Visct. Torrington, sis. of Pattee Byng. educ. Westminster 1723; Trinity Hall, Camb. 1732-5. m. 25 Sept. 1740, Lady Mary Montagu, da. of George Montagu, M.P., 1st Earl of Halifax, sis. of the 2nd Earl and sis.-in-law of Sir Roger Burgoyne, 6th Bt., 2s. suc. fa. 1719 and gd.-fa. as 3rd Bt. 28 Apr. 1720.

Offices Held

Gov. New York June 1753-d.

Biography

The Osborns acquired the manor and site of the dissolved priory of Chicksands in 1587.1 Sir Danvers Osborn, who succeeded to the baronetcy as a child, was returned unopposed as a government supporter for the county in 1747 in succession to his brother-in-law, Sir Roger Burgoyne. The 2nd Lord Egmont in his electoral survey c.1749-50 marked him as ‘to continue-not an improper man’. When he applied for a vacant place at the board of Green Cloth in 1752, Pelham described him as a ‘very good man but I am afraid the Duke of Bedford would give him trouble in his re-election’,2 but the King ‘knew nothing’ of him,3 so he was not appointed. Next year he vacated his seat on being made governor of New York, where he died by his own hand on 12 Oct. 1753,4 a few days after his arrival.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: R. S. Lea

Notes

• 1. VCH Beds. ii. 271.
• 2. Pelham to Newcastle, 29 Sept. 1752, Add. 32729, f. 396.
• 3. Newcastle to Pelham, 12 Oct. 1752, Oct. 1752. Add. 32730, f. 74.
• 4. Collectanea Top. et Gen. iii. 127; Bd. Trade Jnl. 1750-3, p. 467.