BELFIELD, John (1669-1751), of Primley Hill, Paignton, and Exeter, Devon.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1715-1754, ed. R. Sedgwick, 1970
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

25 May 1728 - 1734

Family and Education

b. 21 Dec. 1669, 2nd s. of Allen Belfield of Lower Knoll, Rattery, nr. Totnes, Devon, barrister-at-law, by Mary Savory. educ. Oriel, Oxf. 1688; I. Temple, called May 1695, serjeant at law 1716. m. Jaquetta, da. of Samuel Finney, rector of Exbourne, 1s. 2da.

Offices Held

Dep. recorder, Totnes 1700; freeman of Exeter 1711; recorder, Exeter 1728-d.

Biography

Of an old Devonshire family settled at Paignton since the sixteenth century, Belfield acquired Primley Hill on his marriage.1 Returned for Exeter as a Tory in 1728, he voted consistently against the Government, lost his seat in 1734, and did not stand again. As recorder he signed a loyal address during the rebellion in 1745.2 On 19 Oct. 1751 he was overturned in his coach, dying from his injuries the following day.3

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Shirley Matthews

Notes

  • 1. Belfield Fam. 16; Trans. Dev. Assoc. lxiv. 249; C. Worthy, Devonshire Wills, 295.
  • 2. Trans. Dev. Assoc. lxii. 213.
  • 3. Gent. Mag. 1751, p. 477.