Family and Education

b. 1735, 2nd s. of Matthew Kenrick, barrister, by Elizabeth, da. of George Wilcocks.  educ. Harrow; Corpus Christi, Camb. 1752; M. Temple 1755, called 1759.  m. 5 July 1768, Sarah Gifford, da. and h. of a wealthy brewer, 1s.

Offices Held

Commr. of stamps Feb. 1762-Jan. 1763; receiver gen. of stamp duties Feb. 1763-Aug. 1765; commr. of stamps Aug. 1765-80; clerk of the deliveries of the Ordnance 1780-Dec. 1783; bencher M. Temple 1792, reader 1798.

Biography

In 1779 Kenrick purchased the reversion of the manor and borough of Bletchingley from his cousin Sir Robert Clayton, and in 1780 was returned there on Clayton’s interest. He also contested Bedford with Government support, but was defeated by a large majority. Kenrick consistently supported North till his fall; voted against Shelburne’s peace preliminaries, 18 Feb. 1783; for Fox’s East India bill, 27 Nov. 1783; and in all the lists of 1784 was classed as an opponent of Pitt. His only speeches during this Parliament were on affairs of the Ordnance where he was an official. In 1784 he was again returned on Clayton’s interest. His first recorded vote in this Parliament was in favour of Sir Elijah Impey, for whom he presented a petition and spoke in debate 4 and 7 Feb. 1788. He voted with Opposition on the Regency, 1788-9, but is not known to have spoken or voted on any other occasion.

In 1785 Clayton attempted to upset Kenrick’s purchase of the reversion at Bletchingley. His suit in Chancery was dismissed in 1788, but he did not again return Kenrick at Bletchingley.

Kenrick died 18 Sept. 1799.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Mary M. Drummond

Notes