Constituency Dates
Dunwich [1679 (Mar.)], [1679 (Oct.)], [1681], [1689], [1690] – 7 Aug. 1691
Family and Education
b. 28 Oct. 1641, 4th but 1st surv. s. of Philip Skippon† of Foulsham Hall, Norf. and Acton, Mdx. by his 1st w. Maria Comes of Frankenthal, Lower Palatinate. educ. Trinity Coll. Camb. 1655, BA 1660; G. Inn 1663; travelled abroad (Germany, Italy, France, Netherlands) 1663–6. m. (1) 1 Apr. 1669, Amy (d. 1676), da. and coh. of Francis Brewster† of Wrentham, 2s. (1 d.v.p.); (2) lic. 6 June 1679, Anne (d. 1683), da. of Sir Thomas Barnardiston, 1st Bt.†, of Kedington, Suff., sis. of Sir Thomas Barnardiston, 2nd Bt.*, 1s. d.v.p. 2da. suc. fa. 1661; Kntd. 19 Apr. 1675.1 PCC 220 Vere; Carthew, Hundred of Launditch, iii. 40–41, 44; Norf. Arch. xxii. 147–88; Misc. Gen. et Her. n.s. i. 39–40.
Offices Held

FRS 1667.

Freeman, Dunwich by 1689.2 HMC Var. vii. 104.

Address
Main residence: Wrentham and Edwardstone, Suff.
biography text

An Exclusionist, who had been considered by King James’s agents in 1688 as a possible collaborator, Skippon had supported the disabling clause in the Convention. He was returned again for Dunwich on his own interest in 1690 and also assisted the Whig candidates in the Suffolk election. Lord Carmarthen (Sir Thomas Osborne†) listed him as a Whig. Skippon was nominated to the drafting committee for a bill to appoint commissioners of accounts on 14 Apr. and ten days later was first-named to the second-reading committee. Robert Harley* listed him in April 1691 as a Court supporter and reported his death that year as ‘a great loss’ to ‘the public’.3 CSP Dom. 1687–9, p. 276; Bodl. Tanner 27, f. 110; HMC Portland, iii. 471–2.

Skippon died ‘of a fever’ on 7 Aug. 1691 at Hackney and was buried at Kedington. By his will, dated 27 Oct. 1688, he left property in Norfolk, Suffolk and Middlesex to his son Philip*, ‘earnestly desiring’ the trustees of his estate (who included his brother-in-law Sir Thomas Barnardiston) to ‘take care for the pious and virtuous education of all my children and instructing them in the true reformed Protestant religion’.4 HMC Portland, 471–2; Misc. Gen. et Her. 37, 40; PCC 220 Vere.

Author
D.W.H.
Volume
Commons 1690-1715
Notes
  • 1. PCC 220 Vere; Carthew, Hundred of Launditch, iii. 40–41, 44; Norf. Arch. xxii. 147–88; Misc. Gen. et Her. n.s. i. 39–40.
  • 2. HMC Var. vii. 104.
  • 3. CSP Dom. 1687–9, p. 276; Bodl. Tanner 27, f. 110; HMC Portland, iii. 471–2.
  • 4. HMC Portland, 471–2; Misc. Gen. et Her. 37, 40; PCC 220 Vere.