Family and Education

b. c.1730, 2nd s. of Charles Brice, army captain, of Castle Chichester, Antrim by Jane Robinson, of Newtownards, co. Down.  m. bef. 1764, Elizabeth, da. and h. of H. Corry of Newtownards, co. Down by Frances, sis. and coh. of William Kingsmill of Sydmonton, Hants. s.p. Took name of Kingsmill 1766, his wife having suc. to the Kingsmill estate of Sydmonton.

Offices Held

Lt. R.N. 1756; cdr. 1761; capt. 1762; r.-adm. 1793; v.-adm. 1794; adm. 1799.

Biography

‘Captain Kingsmill—a good officer’ wrote Sandwich, November 1778,1 ‘but rather discontented and complaining, has not however, shewn any violence in the present disputes.’ Yet Kingsmill so strongly disapproved of the Admiralty’s action over Keppel’s court martial that he gave up the command of his ship.

In 1779 he was returned for Yarmouth by Jervoise Clarke Jervoise, and consistently voted against the North Administration. He was not brought in again by Jervoise at the general election of 1780, and considered standing for the county against his former patron, but was persuaded to withdraw before the poll. After the fall of North Kingsmill was given a new command, and in 1784 was returned as a Government candidate at Tregony. He voted for parliamentary reform, 18 Apr. 1785; against Richmond’s fortifications plan, 27 Feb. 1786; and in May 1788 signed the third party circular. He voted against Pitt over the Regency, 1788-9. There is no record of his having spoken in the House.

He died 23 Nov. 1805.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Mary M. Drummond

Notes

• 1. Fortescue, iv. 227.