THOROLD, Sir John, 9th Bt. (1734-1815), of Syston Park, Lincs.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1790-1820, ed. R. Thorne, 1986
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

15 Dec. 1779 - 1796

Family and Education

b. 18 Dec. 1734, 1st s. of Sir John Thorold, 8th Bt., by Elizabeth, da. and coh. of Samuel Ayton of West Herrington, co. Dur. educ. Hertford, Oxf. 1752. m. 18 Mar. 1771, Jane, da. and h. of Millington Hayford of Oxton Hall, Notts. and Millington Hall, Cheshire, 3s. 1da. suc. fa. as 9th Bt. 5 June 1775.

Offices Held

Sheriff, Lincs. 1778-9.

Biography

Thorold, an independent country gentleman, had opposed Pitt’s administration, seldom speaking, in the Parliament of 1784. He continued in this line, silently, after 1790. He was considered favourable to repeal of the Test Act in Scotland in April 1791. He was in the minorities on the Oczakov question, 12 Apr. 1791, and the Russian armament, 1 Mar. 1792. He was listed a Portland Whig in December 1792 and, it seems, did not again join the minority until the early session of 1795. He then voted against the further suspension of habeas corpus, 23 Jan.; for peace, 26 Jan.; against the imperial loan, 5 Feb.; for Fox’s censure motion, 24 Mar., and for Wilberforce’s plea for peace, 27 May. On Fox’s amendment to the address calling for peace negotiations, 29 Oct. 1795, he was one of several Members who had come to town intending to support it but went away without voting after listening to the debate. He was nevertheless regarded by the Treasury as an opponent to be dislodged at the ensuing election, and rather than face a contest initiated by Sir Gilbert Heathcote with Pitt’s encouragement, he withdrew, after offering his services again. He died 25 Feb. 1815.

Colchester, i. 4; Morning Chron. 23 May 1796; PRO 30/8/144, f. 45.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: R. G. Thorne

Notes