STEWART, Hon. James Henry Keith (1783-1836).

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1820-1832, ed. D.R. Fisher, 2009
Available from Cambridge University Press

Constituency

Dates

1812 - 16 Feb. 1821

Family and Education

b. 22 Oct.1783, 6th surv. s. of John Stewart†, 7th earl of Galloway [S] (d. 1806), and 2nd w. Anne, da. of Sir James Dashwood, 2nd bt.†, of Kirklington Park, Oxon.; bro. of Hon. Edward Richard Stewart†, George Stewart, Visct. Garlies†, Hon. Montgomery Granville John Stewart† and Hon. William Stewart†. educ. Charterhouse 1796-1801; Trinity Coll. Camb. 1801; M. Temple 1802. m. 10 Aug. 1819, Henrietta Anne, da. of Rev. Spencer Madan, DD, rect. of Ibstock, Leics., 3s. 1da. CB 1815. d. 18 July 1836.

Offices Held

2nd lt. 95 Ft. 1803, 1st lt. 1804, capt. 1805; brigade maj. to bro. William in Egypt 1807, afterwards to Maj.-Gen. Edward Paget† in Sweden and Portugal; brevet maj. 1812; maj. 7 W.I. regt. 1813; brevet lt.-col. 1813; lt.-col. 3 Ft. Gds. 1814, ret. 1820.

Commr.of customs [GB] 1821-3 and [I] Feb.-Sept. 1823; comptroller of army accts.1823-6; chairman, commn. of stamp duties 1826-8; asst. sec. to treasury 1828-Jan. 1836.

Biography

Stewart, one of five brothers with parliamentary experience, was again returned for the family’s district of burghs at the general election of 1820. He continued to support Lord Liverpool’s ministry, dividing with them against economies in revenue collection, 4 July 1820. He presented a Wigtown petition for restoration of Queen Caroline’s name to the liturgy, 5 Feb. 1821,1 but next day he voted in defence of ministers’ prosecution of her. Ten days later he vacated his seat to accommodate a junior minister who had been defeated at the general election. He was rewarded with a customs place and was subsequently promoted to comptroller of army accounts, chairman of the stamp duties commission and finally assistant treasury secretary.2 He held this post for over seven years, but retired from it six months before his death in July 1836.

Ref Volumes: 1820-1832

Author: David R. Fisher

Notes

  • 1. The Times, 6 Feb. 1821.
  • 2. Add. 38296, f. 54; 38302, f. 45.