FORTESCUE, Theophilus (c.1707-1746), of Castle Hill, Filleigh, nr. Barnstaple, Devon.

Of an old Devonshire family, Fortescue was returned for Barnstaple on his family’s interest in 1727 as an opposition Whig, transferring to the county in 1741. He voted against the Administration in every recorded division, except on the civil list arrears in 1729, when he was absent. In 1733 his elder brother, Hugh, 1st Earl Clinton, was dismissed as lord of the bedchamber and lord lieutenant of Devon for voting against the excise bill.1HMC Egmont Diary, i. 363. He died 13 Mar. 1746.