WALKER HENEAGE, John (1730-1806), of Lyneham and Compton Bassett, Wilts.

Heneage was prominent in society, and a heavy gambler. George Selwyn wrote to Lord Carlisle, 6 Mar. 1782:HMC Carlisle, 589; see also 497.‘Your kinsman [Heneage’s mother-in-law was Carlisle’s half-sister] is a cul de plomb at the table, and has lost, I believe, both his eyes and his fortune at it. He seems so blind as not to see the card which is before him.’

At the general election of 1784 he stood for Cricklade, in partnership with Robert Nicholas, as a ‘declared friend’ of Pitt. They were defeated on the poll but seated on petition. He voted with Pitt over parliamentary reform, 18 Apr. 1785, and on Richmond’s fortifications plan, 27 Feb. 1786; but on 1 May 1788 signed the circular calling on country gentlemen to gather into a third force independent both of Pitt and Fox, and during the Regency crisis voted with the Opposition.

Heneage died 26 Feb. 1806.