NAPIER, Gerard (c.1661-89), of East Woodsford, Dorset.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1660-1690, ed. B.D. Henning, 1983
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

11 Jan. - 16 Nov. 1689

Family and Education

b. c.1661, 2nd s. of Sir Nathaniel Napier, 2nd Bt.; bro. of Nathaniel Napier. educ. L. Inn, entered 1676; Wadham, Oxf. matric. 7 Apr. 1677, aged 16. m. lic. 1 Dec. 1688, Elizabeth, da. and h. of Jacob Lucie, merchant, of Fenchurch Street, London, s.p.1

Offices Held

J.p. and dep. lt. Dorset June 1688-d., commr. for assessment 1689.

Biography

Napier, who became his father’s heir in 1679 and married the daughter of a Tory alderman and sugar-planter, presumably supported James II’s religious policy, as he was appointed to county office in 1688. His residence was five miles from Dorchester, where the family was held in high esteem as the founders of Napper’s Mite, the principal almshouse. He was returned for the borough at the general election of 1689 as a Tory. According to the Ailesbury list he voted to agree with the Lords that the throne was not vacant. He was appointed to a committee on a private bill and to the committee of elections and privileges for the second session. But he died suddenly on 16 Nov., and was buried at Minterne Magna.2

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Author: John. P. Ferris

Notes

  • 1. Hutchins, Dorset, iii. 125; Mar. Lic. (Harl. Soc. xxi), 89.
  • 2. Hutchins, i. 447; ii. 619; J. R. Woodhead, Rulers of London, 110; PCC 114 Coker; HMC Downshire, i. 319; Misc. Gen. et Her. (ser. 5), viii. 236.