WILLIAMS, Watkin (?1742-1808), of Penbedw, Denb. and Erbistock, Flints.

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

9 June 1772 - 1774
26 June 1777 - 1806

Family and Education

b. ?1742, s. of Richard Williams, M.P., of Penbedw by his 3rd w. Annabella, da. of Charles Lloyd of Drenewydd, Salop.  educ. Brasenose, Oxf. 25 June 1760, aged 17.  m. Elizabeth, da. of Col. James Russell Stapleton of Bodrhyddan, Flints., s.p.  suc. fa. 12 Apr. 1759.

Offices Held

Ld. lt. Merion. Aug. 1789-June 1793; ld. lt. Denb. 1792-4; constable of Flint castle Mar. 1799.

Biography

Williams was returned unopposed for Montgomeryshire with the support of the Wynn interest and the acquiescence of Lady Powis. His political allegiance was unsettled. He voted with Opposition in the divisions on the naval captains’ petition, 9 Feb. 1773, and the Middlesex election, 26 Apr. 1773, but when he voted once more in opposition on the motion to perpetuate the Grenville Act, 25 Feb. 1774, Robinson classed him among those who were usually friends of Administration. In the Government list drawn up before the general election, he was considered a supporter.

At the general election of 1774 he was opposed in the county by William Mostyn Owen, who could count on the help of the Powis interest. After a bitter campaign Williams was defeated. In June 1777 he returned to Parliament as the Member for Flint Boroughs, which his father had represented, and where his father-in-law had a powerful interest. He stayed with Opposition during the whole of Lord North’s ministry, then supported Shelburne’s peace preliminaries, and became a follower of Pitt. There is no evidence that he spoke in the House during this period.

Williams died 30 Nov. 1808.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: J. A. Cannon

Notes