BULLER, Francis (aft.1670-98), of Shillingham, Cornw. and Isleham, Cambs.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1690-1715, ed. D. Hayton, E. Cruickshanks, S. Handley, 2002
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

1695 - 5 Feb. 1698

Family and Education

b. aft. 1670, 1st s. of Francis Buller (d. 1679, 1st s. of Francis Buller†) of Shillingham and Isleham by Mary, da. and h. of Sir John Maynard*; bro. of James Buller*. unmsuc. gdfa. 1682.1

Offices Held

Attorney-gen. to duchy of Cornwall ?–d.2

Biography

His father’s estate having been damaged by a heavy fine for misprision of treason, Buller was invested with Shillingham and the Saltash property in 1676 in order to preserve the family’s interest. However, he seems to have resided at Isleham as did his grandfather. Interestingly, his grandfather’s will was not proved until 1694, which may indicate Buller’s coming of age as his mother had been only 13 at her marriage in December 1670. It would also tie in with the revival of the Buller interest at Saltash, based on property in the parish of St. Stephen’s by Saltash, for which he was returned at the 1695 election. In Parliament Buller was forecast as likely to oppose the government in the division on 31 Jan. 1696 over the proposed council of trade, signed the Association (but may have initially refused to do so), voted in March against fixing the price of guineas at 22s. and on 25 Nov. against Sir John Fenwick’s† attainder. He received leave of absence on 2 Mar. 1697 to recover his health. On 1 Feb. 1698 Robert Harley* reported that ‘Mr Buller a Member of our House, very young, hath the smallpox, not like to live, he was a very honest gentleman’, and four days later Edward Harley* reported his death. In his will made a few days before his death, Buller left two trustees, Sir Rushout Cullen, 3rd Bt.*, and his great-uncle John Buller I*, who were each to receive £600 in trust to buy land for his sister Katherine’s children. Legacies included £100 to his ‘friend’ Salwey Winnington*. The remainder of his estate went to his brother James.3

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Authors: Eveline Cruickshanks / Stuart Handley

Notes

  • 1. Vivian, Vis. Cornw. 57–58; London Mar. Lic. ed. Chester, 213.
  • 2. Post Boy, 31 Mar.–2 Apr. 1698.
  • 3. Polsue, Complete Paroch. Hist. Cornw. iv. 170–1; PCC 78 King, 114 Lort, 210 Box; Add. 70019, ff. 16–17.