Family and Education

b. 15 Apr. 1690, 3rd s. of John Wallop of Farleigh Wallop by Alicia, da. and coh. of William Borlase of Great Marlow, Bucks. educ. Eton 1708; Geneva 1708-9; Grand Tour (Italy and Germany) 1710. m. (1) 20 May 1716, Lady Bridget Bennet (d. 12 Oct. 1738), da. of Charles, 1st Earl of Tankerville, 6s. 4da.; (2) 9 June 1741, Elizabeth, da. of James Griffin, M.P., 2nd Baron Griffin, wid. of Henry Grey of Billingbear, Berks., s.p. suc. e. bro. Bluett Wallop at Hurstbourne and Farleigh Wallop 1707; cr. Baron Wallop and Visct. Lymington 11 June 1720, Earl of Portsmouth 11 Apr. 1743.

Offices Held

Hereditary bailiff, Burley (New Forest); ld. of Treasury Apr. 1717-June 1720; c.j. in eyre north of Trent 1732-34; ld. lt. and v.-adm. Hants 1733-42; gov. and v.-adm. I.o.W. 1734-42, 1746-d.

Biography

Wallop belonged to an old Hampshire family, who controlled one seat at Andover and one at Whitchurch. Returned as a Whig for the county in 1715, he adhered to Sunderland on the split in the Whig party in 1717, when he was rewarded with a seat at the Treasury board, in spite of which he voted against the Government on the repeal of the Occasional Conformity and Schism Acts in 1719. He lost his place on Walpole’s return to office in 1720, but was compensated with a peerage. In 1731 he sent a message to the Queen through her favourite, Mrs. Clayton (wife of William Clayton), suggesting that he should replace the Duke of Bolton (Charles Powlett) as the government electoral manager in Hampshire. His application produced no results at the time, but when the Duke went into opposition in 1733 Wallop, now Lord Lymington, succeeded him as lord lieutenant and vice-admiral of Hampshire, and governor of the Isle of Wight. Losing all his appointments on Walpole’s fall, he was created Earl of Portsmouth as compensation in 1743. He died 22 Nov. 1762.

Lady Sundon, Mems. i. 218-22.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Paula Watson

Notes