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WINDHAM ASHE, Joseph (1683-1746), of Twickenham, Mdx.
Available from Boydell and Brewer
Family and Education
bap. 11 Aug. 1683,1 yr. s. of William Windham of Felbrigg, Norf. and bro. of William Windham (d.1730). m. 1715, Martha, o. surv. da. and h. of Sir James Ashe, 2nd Bt., M.P., of Twickenham, 1da., assuming add. name of Ashe 1733.
Offices Held
Cashier to salt commissioners c.1718-Apr. 1734.2
Biography
Windham Ashe was related on his father’s side to the Windhams of Norfolk and through his mother and wife to the Ashes of Heytesbury, whose name he assumed on his wife’s succession to her father’s property in 1733. This included a lease of the manor of Downton, carrying with it the appointment of the returning officer of that borough, for which he was returned as a government supporter in 1734. In 1741 he stood unsuccessfully on the government interest for Bishop’s Castle, having been displaced from Downton by Anthony Duncombe, who had gained control of that borough and required the seat for his brother-in-law John Verney. On Verney’s death in 1742 Ashe was brought in for Downton by Duncombe, to whom he soon afterwards transferred the lease of the manor. On 18 Jan. 1743 he was committed to the custody of the serjeant at arms for defaulting on a call of the House— the last Member for 30 years to be punished for this offence.3 He continued to support the Government till his death, 30 July 1746.