CROWLE, Richard (1699-1757), of Fryston Hall, Yorks.

When Crowle’s elder brother George retired from the representation of Hull in 1747, he gave his vote and interest to Lord Robert Manners against Richard, who was defeated.Poll book; and Thos. Hill’s letter book, 24 July 1754, Attingham mss, Salop RO. In 1750-1 Richard Crowle acted as counsel to the Opposition on the Westminster by-election and, having given offence by certain remarks about the House of Commons, ‘was reprimanded on his knees by the Speaker. As he rose from the ground he wiped his knees and said “it was the dirtiest house he had ever been in”.’Walpole, Mems. Geo. II, i. 21. ‘Crowle was a noted punster’, adds Walpole.

On 18 July 1753 Henry Pelham wrote to Newcastle:Add 32732, f. 303. ‘Crowle the lawyer is making way at Hull ... I had rather have another man than Crowle.’ And on 7 Apr. 1754 Newcastle noted in his memoranda:Add 32995, f. 200. ’Mr West to send a letter to the collector at Hull, to be singly for Lord Robert Manners with orders to give their second votes as he directs.’ In Dupplin’s list of 1754 Crowle is classed as an Opposition Whig, in Henry Fox’s over the Mitchell election petition (February or March 1755) as a Tory;Add. 33002, f. 438. and he attended the Tory meetings at the Horn Tavern over that petition.Sir Roger Newdigate’s ’Diary’, under 24 Mar. 1755, Newdigate mss, Warws. RO; and Namier, ’Country Gentlemen in Parlt.’, Personalities and Powers, 69. He also sided with the Tories over the Oxfordshire election petitions;R. J. Robson, Oxfordshire Election of 1754, pp. 139, 166. and he spoke against the subsidy treaties on 10 Dec. 1757.Fox to Devonshire, 11 Dec., Devonshire mss.

Crowle died 21 June 1757.Gent. Mag. 1757, p. 290.