WILLIAMS, William Peere (?1664-1736), of Hoddesdon, Herts. and Northolt, Mdx.

An eminent lawyer and law reporter who defended one of the rebel lords, the Earl of Winton, on his impeachment in 1716, Williams was frequently employed by the Duke of Chandos on legal business, including the marriage treaty of Lord Carnarvon with Lady Mary Bruce. His name was sent to the Pretender in 1721 as a probable supporter in the event of a rebellion.2Stuart mss 65/16; C. H. and C. Baker, James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos, 252. At Bishop’s Castle his return was entirely due to the influence of Chandos, he himself not appearing at the election. Soon afterwards Chandos suggested that Williams should buy his Radnorshire and Bishop’s Castle estates, with a rental of £1,500 a year, observing: ‘you will have the command of a borough (though I cannot say without some expense attending each election), the lordship of Bishop’s Castle (for which you now serve) being a part of this estate, and many of the tenants voters’.323 Apr. 1722, Chandos letter bks. However, Williams preferred to buy the manor of Northolt from Chandos.4Lysons, Environs of London, iii. 309. His only recorded speech in Parliament was on 23 Mar. 1726, when he supported a motion for vesting the estates of Richard Hampden in trustees. He did not stand again, and died 10 June 1736, reputed to be worth £150,000.5Gent. Mag. 1736, p. 356.