Sir Hugh Williams | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Beaumaris | |
| In office 1785–1794 | |
| Preceded by | Hon. Hugh Fortescue |
| Succeeded by | Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn |
| In office 1768–1780 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Thelwall Price |
| Succeeded by | Sir George Warren |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Hugh Williams c. 1718 |
| Died | 19 August 1794 (aged 75–76) |
| Spouse(s) |
Emma Bulkeley, Viscountess Bulkeley
(m. 1760; died 1770) |
| Children | Sir Robert Williams, 9th Baronet |
| Parent(s) | Griffith Williams Mary Williams |
Sir Hugh Williams, 8th Baronet (c. 1718 – 19 August 1794), was a British soldier and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1768 and 1794.
Early life
Williams was born in 1718 and was the son of Col. Griffith Williams of Arianws, near Llangelynin, Caernarvonshire and, his wife, Mary Williams.[1]
He entered the British Army in 1739 and was Captain in the 34th Foot in 1744. He succeeded to the baronetcy on the death of his cousin Sir Robert Williams, 7th Baronet, in November 1745.[2]
Career
In 1756 he was a major in the 6th Foot and was at Menorca when the garrison was attacked in that year. In 1759 he was in a volunteer battalion in the 85th Foot.[3]
Correspondence indicates that Williams was becoming involved in politics in Beaumaris, partly in the interest of his stepson Thomas Bulkeley, but was handicapped by the secrecy of his marriage (because of his father-in-law's disapproval of Williams). In the course of these dealings, he became Lt Colonel in the 53rd Foot in 1761 and became Constable of Beaumaris Castle in July 1761. However, his regiment was stationed in Gibraltar and he was ordered to return to military duties on the European continent. Williams disliked the climate and wished to be transferred to a regiment at home. As this was refused he retired from the army on half-pay in December 1764 to take care of affairs at Beaumaris.[2]
Political career
In 1768 he was elected Member of Parliament for Beaumaris but made little contribution. His stepson Thomas Bulkeley joined him in parliament in 1774 and was encouraging him to take a greater interest. However he found parliamentary business tiresome and stood down in 1780.[2]
He returned as MP for Beaumaris in a by-election in 1785 and retained the seat until his death on 19 August 1794.[2]
Personal life
Williams married Emma Bridget (née Rowlands) Bulkeley, the dowager Viscountess Bulkeley, widow of James Bulkeley, 6th Viscount Bulkeley on 28 June 1760. She was daughter of Thomas Rowlands of Caerau, Anglesey, but as her father disapproved of Williams, the marriage was kept secret.[3] Together, they were the parents of two sons and two daughters, including:[4]
- Sir Robert Williams, 9th Baronet (1764–1830), who married Anne Lewis, daughter of the Rev. Edward Hughes Lewis, in 1799.[5]
Sir Hugh died on 19 August 1794 and was succeeded by his eldest son Robert.[2]
References
- ↑ Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "WILLIAMS, Sir Hugh, 8th Bt. (1718-94), of Nant, Caern". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- 1 2 "WILLIAMS, Sir HUGH (1718 - 1794), soldier and Member of Parliament". biography.wales. Dictionary of Welsh Biography. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ↑ G.E. Cokayne; with Vicary Gibbs, H.A. Doubleday, Geoffrey H. White, Duncan Warrand and Lord Howard de Walden, editors, The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct or Dormant, new ed., 13 volumes in 14 (1910-1959; reprint in 6 volumes, Gloucester, U.K.: Alan Sutton Publishing, 2000), volume II, page 413.
- ↑ Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.