William Piers (MP)

William Piers (20 May 1686 – 1755) of West Bradley, Somerset was a British Whig politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1716 and 1741.

William Piers
Member of Parliament for Wells
In office 1735–1741 Serving with George Speke
Preceded by	Thomas Edwards George Hamilton
Succeeded by	Francis Gwyn George Speke
In office 1729–1734 Serving with Thomas Edwards
Preceded by	Thomas Edwards Edward Prideaux Gwyn
Succeeded by	Thomas Edwards George Hamilton
In office 1716–1722 Serving with William Coward, Thomas Strangways Horner, John Dodd, Thomas Edwards
Preceded by	Thomas Strangways Horner Maurice Berkeley
Succeeded by	Thomas Edwards Francis Gwyn
Personal details
Born	20 May 1686
Died	1755 (aged 68–69)
Political party	Whig
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Ekins ​ ​ (m. after 1708)​
Parents	William Piers Catherine Coward

Early life

Prers was the eldest son of William Piers of Wells and his wife Catherine Coward, daughter of William Coward, recorder of Wells.[1][2]

Career

Piers was one of the leading Whigs at Wells and he stood for Wells several times, but was only returned three times on petition after being defeated at the poll four times. Following the 1715 British general election, he was returned as Member of Parliament for Wells on petition on 30 May 1716. He was defeated at the 1722 British general election. He was defeated again at the 1727 British general election but was this time seated on petition on 18 April 1729. At the 1734 British general election when he had the active support of Walpole, he was defeated at the poll, but returned on petition on 25 March 1735. He did not stand in 1741. He stood at the 1747 British general election but withdrew his petition after presenting it. He voted consistently with the Government.[1]

Piers completed building work at Bradley House in 1726 and included ornamental canals in the grounds.[3]

Personal life

Piers married Elizabeth Ekins, daughter of Harvey Ekins of Weston Favell, Northamptonshire by marriage settlement of 29 December 1708. [4] Together, they were the parents of one son and two daughters, including:

• Elizabeth Piers (d. 1782), who married Capt. Lord Montagu Bertie (d. 1753), a son of Robert Bertie, 1st Duke of Ancaster and Kesteven and, his second wife, Albinia Farington.[5]

He died in 1755.[1]

Descendants

Through his daughter Elizabeth, he was a grandfather of Augusta Bertie, who married John Fane, 9th Earl of Westmorland.[5]

References

1. "PIERS, William (1686-1755), of West Bradley, Som". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
2. Somerset Archaeology and Natural History: The Proceedings of the Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society for ... Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society. 1981. p. 37. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
3. Bush, Robin (1994). Somerset: The Complete Guide. Dovecote Press. p. 212. ISBN 1-874336-26-1.
4. Joseph Jackson Howard, Frederick Arthur Crisp (2013). Visitation of England and Wales Notes, 1919, Volume 13; Volume 1919. Heritage Books. p. 89. ISBN 9780788408755. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
5. "Ancaster and Kesteven, Duke of (GB, 1715 - 1809)". cracroftspeerage.co.uk. Heraldic Media Limited. Retrieved 27 July 2020.