Family and Education

b. 5 Nov. 1688, o.s. of John Fenwick of Nunriding, nr. Morpeth, Northumb. by Jane, da. and h. of Nicholas Tatham of Burrow Hall, Lancs. educ. Burrow sch.; St. John’s, Camb. 19 June 1706, aged 17; G. Inn 1705, called 1715, transferred to L. Inn 1725, bencher 1740. suc. fa. 1732.

Offices Held

Attorney-gen. of court of Chancery and King’s serjeant for duchy of Lancaster Aug. 1727-Dec. 1748; v.-chancellor of the duchy July 1742-Jan. 1743.

Biography

In 1727 Fenwick stood for Morpeth, near his father’s estate, with the support of the corporation, offering £25 a vote. Defeated by Lord Carlisle’s candidate, Thomas Robinson, he petitioned, but eventually withdrew his petition at the instance of the corporation and to oblige Lord Carlisle.1 Returned for Lancaster as an independent Whig after a contest in 1734 and unopposed in 1741, he voted against the Administration in all recorded divisions except that for the dismissal of Walpole in 1741, when he withdrew. Retiring in 1747, he died 13 Feb. 1750.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes

• 1. J. M. Fewster, 'Politics and Admin. of Morpeth in 18th Cent.' (Durham Univ. Ph.D. thesis), 56-59.