John Conduitt
Encyclopedia
John Conduitt was a British
Member of Parliament
and Master of the Mint
.
, London, on 8 March 1688. He was admitted to St Peter's College Westminster School
as a King's scholar in June 1701. In 1705, while at Westminster, he was elected a Queen's scholar to Trinity College, Cambridge
with three others. He was admitted there in June of that year and matriculated to the University, but did not graduate, staying only two years.
By 1707, based on his own account he was 'travelling' in Holland and Germany. In September 1710 he became judge advocate with the British forces in Portugal. He was a 'very pretty gentleman' according to James Brydges . From Oct 1710 he acted as the Earl of Portmore's
secretary when the latter arrived in Portugal (N&Q). During this time he kept the Earl of Dartmouth informed as to the Portuguese court. He returned to London by October 1711 with Lord Portmore. During the following year he was made a captain in a regiment of the dragoons serving in Portugal, but by September 1713 he was appointed Deputy Paymaster General to the British forces in Gibraltar. The posts appear to have been remunerative and in May 1717 he returned home to England a richer man.
Shortly after his arrival he became acquainted with Sir Isaac Newton
and his niece Catherine Barton
. After what must have been a whirlwind romance they applied to the Faculty Office for a licence to marry which was granted 23 Aug 1717 to marry at St Paul's, Covent Garden. Catherine, then aged 38 years, described herself as 32 years old, Conduitt more correctly as about 30. Despite the licence to marry in Covent Garden they instead married three days later on 26 August in her uncle's parish in the Russell Court Chapel, in the church of St Martin in the Fields. Perhaps in an effort to dignify himself for his impending marriage to one of London's famous daughters, Conduitt obtained for himself a grant of arms from the College of Heralds on 16 August.
The couple had one daughter, named after her mother, born 23 May 1721 and baptized in the same parish of St Martin's on 8 June. Partly as a result of his antiquarian interests Conduitt was elected to be Fellow of the Royal Society
on 1 December 1718, proposed by the president, and his uncle by marriage, Sir Isaac Newton.
, which he represented during the 1720s as a loyal supporter of Walpole's government. He took an active interest in the running of Isaac's Newton office of Master of the Mint in the latter years of Isaac's life, and he was appointed in his stead in March 1727 after Isaac's death. He attempted to collect materials for a Life of Newton, but after starting, he quickly stopped. In 1728 he was somewhat unhelpful to John Newton the heir to Isaac's real estate, and Newton resorted to the Chancery courts to get satisfaction. (PRO, Chancery depositions)
By the early 1730s Conduitt had become a relatively prominent parliamentary speaker, defending the government on a number of issues, including Walpole's maintenance of the Septennial Act. In 1734 he was re-elected to his seat but chose to represent Southampton
. Two years later (12 January 1736) he introduced a successful bill repealing an early seventeenth-century act against conjuration and witchcraft.
In 1720, Conduitt acquired the estate and house at Cranbury Park
, near Winchester
; towards the end of his life, Sir Isaac Newton took up residence at Cranbury with his niece and her husband until his death in 1727.
on 29 May to the right of Sir Isaac Newton. His wife, Catherine, who died in 1739, was buried with him. In his will dated 1732 he left his estate to his wife and made her guardian of their daughter Catherine, underage. On his death, Catherine's trustees sold the estate at Cranbury Park
as well as estates at Weston
and Netley
, near Southampton
to Thomas Lee Dummer
, who succeeded him as MP for Southampton
Catherine later married John Wallop, Viscount Lymington
(d. 1749) in 1740. He was the eldest son of John Wallop, 1st Earl of Portsmouth
, and their son, John Wallop
, succeeded as second earl of Portsmouth.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
Member of Parliament
Parliament of Great Britain
The Parliament of Great Britain was formed in 1707 following the ratification of the Acts of Union by both the Parliament of England and Parliament of Scotland...
and Master of the Mint
Master of the Mint
Master of the Mint was an important office in the governments of Scotland and England, and later Great Britain, between the 16th and 19th centuries. The Master was the highest officer in the Royal Mint. Until 1699, appointment was usually for life. Its holder occasionally sat in the cabinet...
.
Early life, education and family
Conduitt was the son of Leonard and Sarah Conduitt, and was baptized at St Paul's, Covent GardenSt Paul's, Covent Garden
St Paul's Church, also commonly known as the Actors' Church, is a church designed by Inigo Jones as part of a commission by Francis Russell, 4th Earl of Bedford in 1631 to create "houses and buildings fitt for the habitacons of Gentlemen and men of ability" in Covent Garden, London, England.As well...
, London, on 8 March 1688. He was admitted to St Peter's College Westminster School
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
as a King's scholar in June 1701. In 1705, while at Westminster, he was elected a Queen's scholar to Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
with three others. He was admitted there in June of that year and matriculated to the University, but did not graduate, staying only two years.
By 1707, based on his own account he was 'travelling' in Holland and Germany. In September 1710 he became judge advocate with the British forces in Portugal. He was a 'very pretty gentleman' according to James Brydges . From Oct 1710 he acted as the Earl of Portmore's
David Colyear, 1st Earl of Portmore
General David Colyear, 1st Earl of Portmore KT PC was a Scottish general and Governor of Gibraltar-Military career:...
secretary when the latter arrived in Portugal (N&Q). During this time he kept the Earl of Dartmouth informed as to the Portuguese court. He returned to London by October 1711 with Lord Portmore. During the following year he was made a captain in a regiment of the dragoons serving in Portugal, but by September 1713 he was appointed Deputy Paymaster General to the British forces in Gibraltar. The posts appear to have been remunerative and in May 1717 he returned home to England a richer man.
Shortly after his arrival he became acquainted with Sir Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton PRS was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist, and theologian, who has been "considered by many to be the greatest and most influential scientist who ever lived."...
and his niece Catherine Barton
Catherine Barton
Catherine Barton was Isaac Newton's half-niece, probable mistress of Charles Montague and later, the wife of John Conduitt.-Early life:...
. After what must have been a whirlwind romance they applied to the Faculty Office for a licence to marry which was granted 23 Aug 1717 to marry at St Paul's, Covent Garden. Catherine, then aged 38 years, described herself as 32 years old, Conduitt more correctly as about 30. Despite the licence to marry in Covent Garden they instead married three days later on 26 August in her uncle's parish in the Russell Court Chapel, in the church of St Martin in the Fields. Perhaps in an effort to dignify himself for his impending marriage to one of London's famous daughters, Conduitt obtained for himself a grant of arms from the College of Heralds on 16 August.
The couple had one daughter, named after her mother, born 23 May 1721 and baptized in the same parish of St Martin's on 8 June. Partly as a result of his antiquarian interests Conduitt was elected to be Fellow of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
on 1 December 1718, proposed by the president, and his uncle by marriage, Sir Isaac Newton.
Parliament and Mint
In June 1721 Conduitt was elected, on petition, a whig member for Whitchurch, HampshireWhitchurch (UK Parliament constituency)
Whitchurch was a parliamentary borough in the English County of Hampshire, which elected two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons from 1586 until 1832, when the borough was abolished by the Great Reform Act.-History:...
, which he represented during the 1720s as a loyal supporter of Walpole's government. He took an active interest in the running of Isaac's Newton office of Master of the Mint in the latter years of Isaac's life, and he was appointed in his stead in March 1727 after Isaac's death. He attempted to collect materials for a Life of Newton, but after starting, he quickly stopped. In 1728 he was somewhat unhelpful to John Newton the heir to Isaac's real estate, and Newton resorted to the Chancery courts to get satisfaction. (PRO, Chancery depositions)
By the early 1730s Conduitt had become a relatively prominent parliamentary speaker, defending the government on a number of issues, including Walpole's maintenance of the Septennial Act. In 1734 he was re-elected to his seat but chose to represent Southampton
Southampton (UK Parliament constituency)
Southampton was a parliamentary constituency which was represented in the British House of Commons. Centred on the town of Southampton, it returned two Members of Parliament from 1295 until it was abolished for the 1950 general election....
. Two years later (12 January 1736) he introduced a successful bill repealing an early seventeenth-century act against conjuration and witchcraft.
In 1720, Conduitt acquired the estate and house at Cranbury Park
Cranbury Park
Cranbury Park is a stately home and country estate situated in the parish of Hursley, near Winchester, England. It was formerly the home to Sir Isaac Newton and later to the Chamberlayne family, whose descendants now own and occupy the house and surrounding park and farmland...
, near Winchester
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
; towards the end of his life, Sir Isaac Newton took up residence at Cranbury with his niece and her husband until his death in 1727.
Death and descendants
Conduitt died on 23 May 1737 and was buried in Westminster AbbeyWestminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
on 29 May to the right of Sir Isaac Newton. His wife, Catherine, who died in 1739, was buried with him. In his will dated 1732 he left his estate to his wife and made her guardian of their daughter Catherine, underage. On his death, Catherine's trustees sold the estate at Cranbury Park
Cranbury Park
Cranbury Park is a stately home and country estate situated in the parish of Hursley, near Winchester, England. It was formerly the home to Sir Isaac Newton and later to the Chamberlayne family, whose descendants now own and occupy the house and surrounding park and farmland...
as well as estates at Weston
Weston, Southampton
Weston is a small suburb on the south-eastern side of Southampton, UK, predominantly built on the Weston Grove Estate formerly owned by the Chamberlayne family. It also includes the area that was previously the Barnfield Estate. Weston includes part of Mayfield Park, which was previously the...
and Netley
Netley
Netley, sometimes called Netley Abbey, is a village on the south coast of Hampshire, England, situated on the east side of the city of Southampton...
, near Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
to Thomas Lee Dummer
Thomas Lee Dummer
Thomas Lee Dummer was an English Member of Parliament for Southampton and Newport .-Family:...
, who succeeded him as MP for Southampton
Catherine later married John Wallop, Viscount Lymington
John Wallop, Viscount Lymington
John Wallop, Viscount Lymington was a British politician, styled Hon. John Wallop from 1720 to 1743.The eldest son of John Wallop, 1st Viscount Lymington, Wallop was educated at Winchester School from 1731 to 1734 and at Christ Church, Oxford in 1735. From 1739 to 1740, he was mayor of...
(d. 1749) in 1740. He was the eldest son of John Wallop, 1st Earl of Portsmouth
John Wallop, 1st Earl of Portsmouth
John Wallop, 1st Earl of Portsmouth , known as John Wallop, 1st Viscount Lymington from 1720 to 1743, was a British peer and Member of Parliament....
, and their son, John Wallop
John Wallop, 2nd Earl of Portsmouth
John Wallop, 2nd Earl of Portsmouth , styled Hon. John Wallop from 1743 to 1749 and Viscount Lymington from 1749 to 1762, was a British nobleman.He was the son of John Wallop, Viscount Lymington and his wife Catherine...
, succeeded as second earl of Portsmouth.