Family and Education

b. 23 Nov. 1719, 1st s. of Richard, 2nd Visct. Wenman [I], by Susanna, da. of Seymour Wroughton of Eastcott, Wilts. educ. Abingdon g.s.; Oriel, Oxf. 1737. m. 13 July 1741, Sophia, da. of James Herbert of Tythrop and Kingsey, Bucks., sis. and h. of Philip Herbert, 4s. 3da. suc. fa. 28 Nov. 1729.

Offices Held

Biography

Wenman’s family had large estates in Oxford-shire, which they had represented since the sixteenth century. A commission of idiocy was issued against his father in 1718,1 and he himself was described as ‘of not much greater capacity’.2 Refusing to join the county association in defence of the Hanoverian succession during the 1745 rebellion,3 he is called a Jacobite in the 2nd Lord Egmont’s electoral survey, c.1749-50. Returned as a Tory for Oxfordshire at a by-election in 1749, he also fought the great Oxfordshire election of 1754 on behalf of his party. He died 16 Aug. 1760.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes

• 1. HMC Portland , v. 571.
• 2. VCH Oxon. vii. 177.
• 3. R. J. Robson, Oxfordshire Election of 1754, p.2.