STOCKDALE, William (1634/5-1693), of Bilton Park, nr. Knaresborough, Yorks.

Stockdale, who owned a dozen burgages at Knaresborough, represented the borough for 33 years without interruption, throughout which time he acted consistently with the opposition. There was a double return at Knaresborough in March 1690, but Stockdale being in both returns was able to take his seat at once. He was classed as a Whig by Lord Carmarthen (Sir Thomas Osborne†) at that time. However, apart from telling on 17 May against a motion that the right of election at Aldborough was not restricted to burgage-holders, Stockdale was an inactive Member, perhaps through ill-health and age. He died on 3 Mar. 1693, and was buried at Knaresborough. His heir was his nephew, Christopher Walters, who took the name of Stockdale and succeeded his uncle as MP for Knaresborough.2 Ibid. 278.