OAKELEY, William (1635-95), of Oakeley, nr. Bishop’s Castle, Salop.

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

1660 - July 1679
1690 - 28 Jan. 1695

Family and Education

b. 22 Mar. 1635, 2nd but 1st surv. s. of Richard Oakeley† of Oakeley by his 1st w. Mary, da. of Edward Combes of Fetter Lane, London.  educ. Westminster c.1648; Balliol, Oxf. 1651; M. Temple 1651.  m. (1) settlement 13 Nov. 1663, Mary (d. 1668), da. of Walter Waring of Owlbury, Lydham, Salop, sis. of Edmund Waring† of Owlbury and Llandinam, Mont., 1da.; (2) 24 Mar. 1681, Barbara, da. of John Walcot† of Walcot, Salop and Beguildy, Rad., 5s. 3da.  suc. fa. 1653.1

Offices Held

Sheriff, Salop Mar.–Nov. 1660; freeman, Ludlow 1661.

Biography

A supporter of the Court in the Cavalier Parliament but a habitual absentee, Oakeley was returned in 1690 whereupon he was classed as a Tory and probably as a Court supporter by Lord Carmarthen (Sir Thomas Osborne†). He had an interest himself at Bishop’s Castle and it is likely that he also enjoyed the support there of his nephew Walter Waring, who was returned to the second seat at a by-election shortly afterwards. Oakeley, who was usually accorded his former militia rank of major, is not known to have spoken in the House. On 23 Apr. 1690 he was given leave of absence for the recovery of his health. In the 1690–1 session Carmarthen listed him as a probable supporter in the event of a Commons’ attack on his own ministerial position.

Oakeley died on 28 Jan. 1695 and was buried at Bishop’s Castle. In his will he left £1,000 to each of his four younger sons and £1,200 to each of his daughters by his second marriage.2

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Author: D. W. Hayton

Notes

  • 1. E. F. Oakeley, Oakley Ped. 56–61, 70–73; Misc. Gen. et Her. n.s. i. 245; Rec. Old Westminsters, supp. 107; Frag. Gen. n.s. i. 82–84; CJ, vii. 864.
  • 2. Oakeley, 70, 72–73.