Family and Education

b. c.1693, 3rd but 2nd surv. s. of Sir Walter Clarges, 1st Bt.*, being 1st s. by his 3rd w.; half-bro. of Sir Thomas Clarges, 2nd Bt.*  educ. St. Paul’s sch.; Trinity Coll. Camb. adm. 22 July 1708, aged 15.  unm.1

Offices Held

Biography

Clarges was still a minor when his father died in 1706. In accordance with the testamentary wish of his grandfather, Sir Thomas Clarges*, the family manor and rectory of Stoke Poges in Buckinghamshire descended to him in trust until he came of age. In 1713, Clarges was put up as a Tory candidate at Reading, which lay within easy striking distance of his Buckinghamshire estate. His mother had an important interest within the borough in the form of the crown lease of extensive lands and fisheries which she had inherited from her husband, Sir Walter, and renewed in 1715. The family also owned other property in the borough, most notably the former monastic lands. More significantly, young Clarges’ political credentials were assured by his impeccable Tory pedigree. Despite protestations about his age at the time of the election, he was returned by the mayor. A subsequent petition from the defeated Whig candidate, Owen Buckingham*, questioning Clarges’ qualification to stand, was never reported. He was identified as a Tory in two lists of the 1713 Parliament, one of which was the Worsley list. His inactivity as a Member obviously stemmed from his youth and inexperience. Although he was re-elected in 1715, his return was declared void the following year, whereupon he made no attempt to regain his seat. He died c.February 1726, at which time an administration of his property was granted to his mother and elder brother, Sir Thomas.2

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Author: Andrew A. Hanham

Notes

• 1. Kimber and Johnson, Baronetage, ii. 384; Prob. 10/1401; Admon. Feb. 1726.
• 2. Prob. 10/1401; VCH Bucks. iii. 309–10; CJ, xvii. 480; Cal. Treas. Bks. xxix. 491; xxx. 426; PCC 170 Irby.