Family and Education

b. ?1729, 3rd s. of Thomas Pelham, M.P., of Lewes, Suss. by Elizabeth, da. of Henry Pelham, clerk of the pells 1698-1721.  educ. Corpus Christi, Camb. 1746; fellow of Peterhouse 1751.  m. 1 Sept. 1767, Jane, da. of Nicholas Hardinge, 1s. 1da.  suc. to estates of his niece Miss Cressett and took add. name of Cressett 1792.

Offices Held

Sec. to victualling office 1743-58; commr. of customs 1758-88.

Biography

Pelham, a cousin of Henry Pelham and the Duke of Newcastle, was returned in 1754 as the Administration candidate at Tiverton. He seems to have had little interest in politics, and in 1758 succeeded in obtaining through Newcastle a commissionership of customs which vacated his seat in Parliament. Pelham was demonstrably spared during the dismissal of Newcastle’s dependants in December 1762,1 and continued to hold the office till 1788 when he retired with a yearly pension of £761.2

He died early in 1803.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Sir Lewis Namier

Notes

• 1. Add. 32945, f. 385.
• 2. T52/76/144.