WILSON, Daniel (1680-1754), of Dallam Tower, Westmld.

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

Constituency

Dates

1708 - 1722
1727 - 1747

Family and Education

b. 8 Mar. 1680,1 2nd but 1st surv. s. of Edward Wilson of Parkhouse, Lancs. by Katherine, da. of Sir Daniel Fleming of Rydal Hall, Westmld. m. 1716, Elizabeth, da. of William Crowle, merchant, of Hull, 4s. 2da. suc. fa. 1720.

Offices Held

Sheriff, Lancs. 1727-8.

Biography

The fortunes of the Wilsons were founded by a wealthy Kendal manufacturer, who died childless in 1653, bequeathing his estates to a kinsman, Thomas Wilson. Thomas’s son bought the manor of Haverbrack, including a house known as Dallam Tower, which his grandson, Daniel, rebuilt in 1723.2 A staunch Whig, who claimed that he ‘never was backward, but all of a piece’,3 he represented his county for 34 years, during which, after 1715, all his recorded votes were for the Government, except on the peerage bill. In 1737 his brother-in-law, George Crowle, told Walpole that considering

the great expense he has already been at for 30 years always in support of the constitution both in Parliament and at home without the least assistance or bounty from the Crown, I am almost persuaded another instance will not be found of any gentleman of his fortune and figure in life, particularly by his natural interest and character in that county.4

He stood down in favour of his son, Edward, in 1747 and died 31 May 1754, leaving the reputation of ‘an extremely honest man, a good neighbour, and fond of peace and quietness’.5

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Romney R. Sedgwick

Notes

  • 1. HMC Le Fleming, 394.
  • 2. Beetham Repository (Cumb. Westmld. Antiq. Arch. Soc. Tract ser. no. 7), pp. 138-42.
  • 3. To Jas. Craggs, 31 Dec. [1718], Stowe mss 246, f. 156.
  • 4. 7 May 1737, Cholmondeley (Houghton) mss.
  • 5. Beetham Repository, 141.