Family and Education

b. c.1678, 3rd s. of Sir Robert Dillington, 2nd Bt.†, of Knighton by his 2nd w. Hannah, da. of William Webb of Throgmorton Street, London; half-bro. of Sir Robert Dillington, 3rd Bt.†  educ. I. Temple 1694. unm.  suc. bro. Sir John Dillington as 5th Bt. 5 Mar. 1706.

Offices Held

Ensign 1 Ft. Gds. 1701; cornet, 1 Drag. Gds. 1703, brevet capt. 1707; lt.-col. 17 Ft. 1708; capt. and lt.-col. Coldstream Gds. 1709, 2nd maj. 1717; gov. Hurst Castle 1716–d.

Biography

As a younger son, Dillington made his career in the army and was present at Blenheim. Shortly afterwards, on the death of his half-brother, he inherited the family baronetcy and estates. Returned for a borough on the Isle of Wight at a by-election in 1707 he was listed as a Whig in early 1708 and again after being re-elected for the same borough that year. He voted for the impeachment of Dr Sacheverell, although having been granted a fortnight’s leave of absence on 9 Feb. 1710 he had been absent for some of the proceedings. He did not stand in 1710 or 1713. In August 1714 his name appeared on a list of army officers to be turned out as part of a planned Tory purge. He returned to Parliament in the reign of George I, continuing to support the Whigs until his death on 7 July 1721, aged 43.1

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Author: Paula Watson

Notes

• 1. Boyer, Pol. State, viii. 170.