Family and Education

poss. s. of Bernard Tanner (d. 1704) and nephew of John Tanner† of Courte and Thornbury, Devon.  unm.1

Offices Held

Stannator, Blackmore 1686; freeman, Grampound to June 1688.2

Biography

A country gentleman with property adjoining Grampound, Tanner was a Tory who, according to Anthony Rowe*, had voted against the throne being declared vacant in 1689. Following the 1690 election Lord Carmarthen (Sir Thomas Osborne†) classed him as a Tory, and in December accounted him as a probable supporter. He was a defaulter on the call of the House on 16 Nov. 1691, sent for into custody and discharged on 8 Dec. In the spring of 1693 Samuel Grascome classed him as a placeman but not as a Court supporter. Returned again in 1695, Tanner was forecast as likely to oppose the Court in the division of 31 Jan. 1696 on the proposed council of trade, signed the Association, but was apparently absent from the divisions on fixing the price of guineas in March and on the attainder of Sir John Fenwick† in November. He was absent without leave on 16 Dec. 1697, was again sent for into custody, and discharged on 5 Jan. 1698. At the next election he was returned for both Grampound and St. Germans, choosing to sit for the latter. He was listed as a Country supporter in September 1698 and as likely to oppose a standing army. According to James Vernon I* he died on the morning of 29 June 1699, and administration was granted to his father on 26 July. The Tanner estates which were subject to legislative activity in 1701, 1713 and 1715 seem to relate to John Tanner, the nephew of Bernard Tanner (and therefore cousin of this Member).3

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Authors: Eveline Cruickshanks / Stuart Handley

Notes

• 1. Vivian, Vis. Cornw. 447–8; Western Antiquary vii. 115.
• 2. J. Tregoning, Stannary Laws, 57.
• 3. Add. 57861, f. 46; Western Antiquary 115; CJ, xiii. 488; xvii. 301; HMC Lords, n.s. xii. 212.