Constituency Dates
Andover 1754 – 1742, 1761 – 1742, 1768 – 1742, 1774 – 1742, 1780 – 1742, 1784 – 3 Aug. 1784
Family and Education
b. 13 Mar. 1719, 1st s. of William Whitwell of Oundle, Northants. by Anne, da. and eventually sole h. of James Griffin, M.P., 2nd Baron Griffin of Braybrooke. educ. Winchester 1734-6. m. (1) 9 Mar. 1749, Anna Maria (d. 18 Aug. 1764), da. of John, Baron Schutz, s.p.; (2) 11 June 1765, Catherine, da. of William Clayton of Harleyford, Bucks., s.p. After d. of his uncle Edward, 3rd Baron Griffin (1742), and of his kinsman Henry Howard, 10th Earl of Suffolk (1745), he took name of Griffin 1749, and suc. to Audley End; suc. fa. 1755; K.B. 3 May 1761; suc. mother 1770; the abeyance of the barony of Howard de Walden was terminated in his favour 3 Aug. 1784; cr. Baron Braybrooke 5 Sept. 1788, with spec. rem. to his 2nd cos. once removed, Richard Neville Aldworth.
Offices Held

Ensign 3 Ft. Gds. 1739, capt. 1743, capt. and lt.-col. 1748, 2nd maj., 1st maj. 1758 – 59; col. 1756; maj.-gen. 1759; col. 50 Ft. 1759 – 60, 33 Ft. 1760 – 66; lt.-gen. 1761; col. 1 tp. Horse Gren. Gds. 1766 – 88; gen. 1778; col. 4 Drags. 1788 – d.; f.m. 1796.

Ld. lt. Essex 1784 – d.

Address
Main residence: Audley End, Essex.
biography text

After serving in the war of the Austrian succession, Griffin was returned for Andover on the interest of his uncle, John Wallop, 1st Earl of Portsmouth, ‘almost without opposition, his competitor having but one vote ... This made the expense light.’1Schutz to Lee, 22 Dec. 1749, Lee Pprs. Bucks. RO. In the Seven Years’ war he was wounded at Kloster Campen.2R. Griffin, Hist. Audley End, 52. He continued to represent Andover till he became a peer in 1784, dying 25 May 1797.

Author
P.W.
Volume
Commons 1715-1754
Notes
  • 1. Schutz to Lee, 22 Dec. 1749, Lee Pprs. Bucks. RO.
  • 2. R. Griffin, Hist. Audley End, 52.