PHILLIPS, Jonathan (c.1724-98), of Newport House, Cornw.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1754-1790, ed. L. Namier, J. Brooke., 1964
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

6 Apr. - June 1784

Family and Education

b. c.1724, and surv. s. of John Phillips, a Camelford attorney, and bro. of Charles Phillips.  m. 17 July 1765, Grace, da. and coh. of Cotton Amy of Botreaux Castle, Devon. 1s. 4da. (all d.v.p.).  Kntd. 13 Sept. 1786.

Offices Held

Recorder, Camelford 1774- d.

Biography

In early life Phillips was a surgeon in the navy. In August 1762 a Jonathan Phillips, ‘Lieutenant of Grenadiers in the Cornish Militia’, was ‘too proud to accept the office of surveyor of hawkers and pedlars’, which would ‘produce him to the world’s eye at country fairs’ as their whipper-in.1 Phillips succeeded his brother in 1774 as recorder and parliamentary manager of Camelford. At the general election of 1784 he was returned unopposed, but shortly after Parliament met vacated his seat in favour of another Government supporter, Sir Samuel Hannay.

Phillips was knighted in 1786 on presenting an address of congratulation from Camelford on the King’s escape from an attack on his life.

He died 12 Sept. 1798.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Sir Lewis Namier

Notes

  • 1. Saml. Martin to Chas. Jenkinson, 3 Aug. 1762, Bute mss.