John Wells (19th century politician)
Encyclopedia
John Wells was an English Tory politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1820 to 1830 ['Oxford Dictionary of National Biography', under 'Wells, William (1729–1805)'].
He was born in Malling, Kent and married in Rochester in 1796 Esther daughter of John Puget, a London banker, by his wife, Esther, daughter of James Dunn, MP for Dublin 1758-62, and sister of John Puget, of Pointer's Grove, Herts, Director of the Bank of England and Rear-Admiral Peter Puget, CB, who explored with Capt George Vancouver. The family lived at Bickley Hall, Bromley in Kent, which he extended to a design by Sir Robert Smirke in 1810[H Colvin 'A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1660-1840', 2008].
He also owned the Malling Heath estate in Kent [East and West Malling Tithe Award Schedules 1842]. He was among the leading shipbuilders on the River Thames, a partner in yards at Deptford, Rotherhithe and Blackwall [P Banbury, 'Shipbuilders of the Thames and Medway', 1971]. He served as High Sheriff of Kent
for 1812 and then stood unsuccessfully for parliament at Maidstone
in 1818
. He was elected as a Member of Parliament
(MP) for Maidstone at the general election in March 1820
and held the seat until 1830
, when he did not stand again in Maidstone. His great-great-great-nephew, Sir John Wells [qv], was MP for Maidstone 1959-87 (Burke's 'Landed Gentry' 1964).
Wells was a strong opponent of the Catholic Emancipation Bill in 1828 and declared that he would fight to defend the Protestant Constitution "until he was up to his knees in blood".
Wells died two weeks after his wife when he was aged 87. They had three sons and five daughters, of whom one son and three daughters predeceased him (Burke's 'Landed Gentry' 1964).
He was born in Malling, Kent and married in Rochester in 1796 Esther daughter of John Puget, a London banker, by his wife, Esther, daughter of James Dunn, MP for Dublin 1758-62, and sister of John Puget, of Pointer's Grove, Herts, Director of the Bank of England and Rear-Admiral Peter Puget, CB, who explored with Capt George Vancouver. The family lived at Bickley Hall, Bromley in Kent, which he extended to a design by Sir Robert Smirke in 1810[H Colvin 'A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1660-1840', 2008].
He also owned the Malling Heath estate in Kent [East and West Malling Tithe Award Schedules 1842]. He was among the leading shipbuilders on the River Thames, a partner in yards at Deptford, Rotherhithe and Blackwall [P Banbury, 'Shipbuilders of the Thames and Medway', 1971]. He served as High Sheriff of Kent
High Sheriff of Kent
The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct, so that its functions...
for 1812 and then stood unsuccessfully for parliament at Maidstone
Maidstone (UK Parliament constituency)
Maidstone was a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.The parliamentary borough of Maidstone returned two Members of Parliament from 1552 until 1885, when its representation was reduced to one member...
in 1818
United Kingdom general election, 1818
The 1818 general election of the United Kingdom saw the Whigs gain a few seats, but the Tories under the Earl of Liverpool retained a majority of around 90 seats...
. He was elected as a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) for Maidstone at the general election in March 1820
United Kingdom general election, 1820
The 1820 UK general election, held shortly after the Radical War in Scotland and the Cato Street Conspiracy. In this atmosphere, the Tories under the Earl of Liverpool were able to win a substantial majority over the Whigs....
and held the seat until 1830
United Kingdom general election, 1830
The 1830 United Kingdom general election, was triggered by the death of King George IV and produced the first parliament of the reign of his successor, William IV. Fought in the aftermath of the Swing Riots, it saw electoral reform become a major election issue...
, when he did not stand again in Maidstone. His great-great-great-nephew, Sir John Wells [qv], was MP for Maidstone 1959-87 (Burke's 'Landed Gentry' 1964).
Wells was a strong opponent of the Catholic Emancipation Bill in 1828 and declared that he would fight to defend the Protestant Constitution "until he was up to his knees in blood".
Wells died two weeks after his wife when he was aged 87. They had three sons and five daughters, of whom one son and three daughters predeceased him (Burke's 'Landed Gentry' 1964).