GREGG, Francis (1734-95), of Mitcham, Surr.

Gregg was initially returned for Morpeth as a stopgap by Frederick, 5th Earl of Carlisle, whose man of business he was.2HMC Carlisle, 667. A London attorney by profession, he had served Carlisle for many years as financial adviser, borough manager and political associate. He retained his seat in Parliament until Carlisle’s heir came of age, following his patron’s line. He met with the Portland Whigs at Burlington House, 11 May 1790. He was absent or paired with opposition on the Oczakov question, 12 Apr. 1791, was listed favourable to repeal of the Test Act in Scotland the same month, and voted in the minority against the Russian armament, 1 Mar. 1792. Listed (as Lord Carlisle’s nominee) among the Portland Whigs in December 1792, he was thought of for Windham’s ‘third party’ and attended their second meeting on 17 Feb. 1793. He duly went over to support of Pitt’s administration, though no speech by him is known and his attendance was doubtless affected by the ‘long and painful illness’ of which he died, 29 Mar. 1795. He left estates in Surrey and Leicestershire, and his patron, who was his creditor for £23,000, thereafter employed his son and namesake as his agent.3Gent. Mag. (1795), 353; PCC 443 Newcastle.