WILLIAMSON, Joseph (1633-1701), of Whitehall and Cobham Hall, Kent.

Fellow of Queen’s, Oxf. 1657 – 79; commr. for assessment, Cumb. and Thetford 1673 – 80, Mdx. 1673 – 79, Westminster 1673 – 74, 1679 – 80, Norf. 1677 – 80, Kent and Westminster 1689; member, Clothworkers’ Co. by 1675, master 1676 – 77, asst. to 1687, recorder, Thetford 1682 – d.; j.p. Kent 1683 – Feb. 1688, Oct. 1688 – d., Mdx. 1685 – Feb. 1688, Sept. 1688–9; asst. Rochester bridge 1685 – d., warden 1686, 1693, 1700.CSP Dom. 1675–6, p. 168; T. Girtin, The Golden Ram, 145; PC2/72/506; Le Strange, Norf. Official Lists, 235; information from Mr P. F. Cooper, Bridge Clerk, Rochester Bridge Trust.

Under-sec. of state July 1660–74; keeper of state papers 1661 – d.; commr. for prohibited goods 1663; asst. R. Adventurers into Africa 1664 – 68, 1670 – 72; commr. for lotteries 1665; clerk of the PC 1672 – 74; plenip. congress of Cologne 1673 – 74, Nymwegen 1676; asst. R. Africa Co. 1673; sec. of state (north) 1674 – 79; ld. of Admiralty 1674 9; PC 11 Sept. 1674 – Apr. 1679, 16 Nov. 1696 – d., asst. R. Fisheries 1677; PC [I] 1681; ambassador, The Hague 1696–9.CSP Dom. 1661–2, p. 147; 1663–4, p. 90; 1664–5, p. 438; 1671–2, p. 97; 1672–3, p. 457; 1680–1, p. 136; Sel. Charters (Selden Soc. xxviii), 197.

FRS. 1663, pres. 1677–80.

MP [I] 1692 – 99.