BARNE, Barne (1754-1828), of Sotterley Hall, Suff.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1754-1790, ed. L. Namier, J. Brooke., 1964
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

10 Dec. 1777 - Feb. 1791

Family and Education

b. 25 Aug. 1754, 2nd s. of Miles Barne by his 2nd w. Mary, da. of George Thornhill. educ. Westminster 1768; Trinity Hall, Camb. 1772; I. Temple 1770, called 1779. unm.

Offices Held

Fellow of Trinity Hall 1781-1814; bencher I. Temple 1811, reader 1820, treasurer 1820-1.

Commr. of taxes 9 Apr. 1791-1820.

Biography

Barne was returned for Dunwich on the family interest. In Parliament he constantly supported Administration till the fall of North; voted for Shelburne’s peace preliminaries, 18 Feb. 1783, and against Fox’s East India bill, 27 Nov. 1783. He was classed as an Administration supporter in Robinson’s list of January 1784, Stockdale’s of 19 Mar., and Adam’s of May, and regularly supported Pitt’s Administration. There is no record of his having spoken in the House. Barne applied to Pitt for a commissionership of customs or excise, but on 6 Nov. 1788 stated that he would be willing to accept a lesser office since he was anxious to marry and could not do so without employment.1 Barne voted with Pitt on the Regency in December 1788. He wrote to his mother on 30 Dec. that in the likely event of Pitt being dismissed he could do nothing to get his brother excused from being sheriff:2

I recollect giving it as my opinion ... that it might be possible to have that favour granted even by Mr. Fox, but I remember adding likewise, provided I had an opportunity of voting with him occasionally, which I might do on some particular questions, although in general I was in opposition. In my present situation, however, having never shown the least favourable disposition to him, I could upon no account presume to request any favour from him, without being guilty of the greatest impropriety.

Barne voted with Pitt in the further divisions on the Regency, February 1789.

He died 19 June 1828.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Mary M. Drummond

Notes

  • 1. Chatham mss 111.
  • 2. Ipswich and E. Suff. RO, Barne mss 359/128.