Lewis Watson, 1st Earl of Rockingham

Lewis Watson
Earl of Rockingham
Coat of armsArms of Watson, of Rockingham Castle: Argent, on a chevron engrailed azure between three martlets sable as many crescents or
ReignWilliam III
Anne
George I
SuccessorLewis Watson, 2nd Earl of Rockingham
Other titles
Born29 December 1655
Rockingham Castle
Baptised25 January 1656
Died19 March 1724(1724-03-19) (aged 68)
Buried1 April 1724
Rockingham church
Noble familyWatson
Spouse(s)Lady Catherine Sondes
Issue
FatherEdward Watson, 2nd Baron Rockingham
MotherAnne Wentworth
Occupationpolitician

Lewis Watson, 1st Earl of Rockingham (29 December 1655 – 19 March 1724) was an English peer and politician. He was the eldest son of Edward Watson, 2nd Baron Rockingham (1630 – 1689) and Anne Wentworth, daughter of Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford.[1]

In 1681–1685, Watson was Whig Member of Parliament for Canterbury and for Higham Ferrers briefly in 1689, before having to leave the Commons on inheriting his father's barony that year.[1][2]

Lord Rockingham was Master of the Buckhounds in 1703–1705, Custos Rotulorum and Lord Lieutenant of Kent in 1705–1724, Vice-Admiral of Kent in 1705 and Deputy Warden of the Cinque Ports in 1705–1708. In 1714, he was created Earl of Rockingham.[3]

In July 1677, he married Lady Catherine Sondes (d. 1696), a daughter of George Sondes, 1st Earl of Feversham.[3][4] They had five surviving children:[5]

  • Rockingham Castle, Northamptonshire, seat of the Watson family
    Rockingham Castle, Northamptonshire, seat of the Watson family
  • Memorial to Lewis Watson, 1st Earl of Rockingham (d.1724) in St. Leonard's Church, Rockingham
    Memorial to Lewis Watson, 1st Earl of Rockingham (d.1724) in St. Leonard's Church, Rockingham

His wife died on 21 March 1696 and was buried at Rockingham. He died on 19 march 1724 and was buried 1 April at Rockingham.[6] He was succeeded by his grandson, Lewis.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Cokayne 1949, p. 57.
  2. ^ Henning 1983.
  3. ^ a b c Cokayne 1949, pp. 57–58.
  4. ^ Hasted 1798, pp. 38–50.
  5. ^ Wise 1891, pp. 100–101.
  6. ^ Cokayne 1949, p. 58.

Sources

  • Cokayne, G. E. (1949). White, Geoffrey H. (ed.). The Complete Peerage, or a History of the House of Lords and all its Members from the Earliest Times. Vol. 11. London: St Catherine Press. pp. 56–62.
  • Hasted, Edward (1798). "Parishes". The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent. Vol. 7. British History Online.
  • Henning, Basil Duke (1983). "Watson, Hon. Lewis (1655-1724), of Rockingham Castle, Northants". In Henning, Basil Duke (ed.). The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1660-1690 – via History of Parliament Online.
  • Wise, Charles (1891). Rockingham Castle and the Watsons. London: Elliot Stock. OCLC 902976023.
Parliament of England
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Canterbury
1681–1685
With: Vincent Denne 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Higham Ferrers
1689 		Succeeded by
Honorary titles
Preceded by Lord Lieutenant of Kent
1705–1724 		Succeeded by
Custos Rotulorum and
Vice-Admiral of Kent
1705–1724 		Succeeded by
Peerage of Great Britain
New creation Earl of Rockingham
1714–1724 		Succeeded by
Peerage of England
Preceded by Baron Rockingham
1689–1724 		Succeeded by


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