Family and Education

s. of Lascelles (or Lewis) Metcalfe of Stockton-on-Tees, co. Dur. unm.

Offices Held

Biography

Lascelles Metcalfe, a London merchant, who owned property in Stockton at his death,1 was descended from John Metcalfe, a Stockton mill-owner in 1660.2 Shortly before 1741 he bought the manor of Stokke, in Great Bedwyn,3 thus acquiring a considerable interest in the borough, for which he was returned unopposed at the general election. In Parliament he supported the Administration in all recorded divisions, being classed as ‘Old Whig’ in 1746. At the 1747 election on a double return, he and William Sloper jun. were seated by the House of Commons, largely owing to the efforts of Henry Fox on their behalf.4 In 1752 he sold Stokke to Lord Verney, who at first undertook to support him at the next election but later chose another man.5 He stood with Verney against Bruce nominees in 1761, when they were heavily defeated, Metcalfe not standing again. He died 13 Aug. 1781.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: R. S. Lea

Notes

• 1. PCC 399 Webster.
• 2. Top. and Gen. ii. 117.
• 3. State of the borough of Bedwyn, Ailesbury mss.
• 4. Ilchester, Lord Holland, i. 144.
• 5. Add. 32995, ff. 81, 193.