Family and Education

Offices Held

Exon, yeoman of the guard 1697–d.

Biography

Thomas Davenant has not been identified. He may have been the younger brother of Charles Davenant* (sixth son of Sir William Davenant by his third wife, Henriette Marie du Tremblay). This Thomas Davenant was admitted to the Middle Temple in 1681. The Member was returned on the Cornwallis interest at Eye in 1690 and was classed as a Whig by Lord Carmarthen (Sir Thomas Osborne†). Robert Harley* listed him as a doubtful Court supporter in April 1691. Forecast as likely to vote with the administration in the divisions of 31 Jan. 1696 on the proposed council of trade, he signed the Association promptly. He voted on 25 Nov. 1696 for the attainder of Sir John Fenwick†. Lord Cornwallis had put forward his name without success in the winter of 1695–6 for a vacancy in the yeomen of the guard, renewing his recommendation the following June. Davenant’s pretensions were supported by Lord Somers (Sir John*) and the Duke of Shrewsbury, who both testified to his ‘honesty’ in Parliament, claiming that he had ‘never failed a vote to serve’ King William and that he ‘would be entirely satisfied with the gift of this place’. He was sworn as exon in the yeomen in April 1697.1

Davenant died on 25 July 1697 ‘of a fever at Moor Park’. Administration was granted to one Robert Cowper.2

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Author: D. W. Hayton

Notes

• 1. Hoare, Wilts. Frustfield, 86; M.T. Adm. i. 204; HMC Buccleuch, ii. 353; Nottingham Univ. Lib. Portland (Bentinck) mss PwA 1180, Somers to Portland, 19 June 1696; Cal. Treas. Bks. xiv. 143; CSP Dom. 1697, p. 125.
• 2. CSP Dom. 1697, p. 268; Cal. Treas. Bks. xiii. 378.