WATSON, Thomas (c.1701-66), of Grindon Bridge, Northumb.

Family and Education

b. c. 1701, s. of Thomas Watson of Berwick by his w. Margaret Clerk. m. Barbara Forster, s.p.

Offices Held

Mayor, Berwick 1727, 1729, 1732, 1734, 1736, 1739; commissary of musters in south Britain 1732; dep. commissary for Danish and Hessian troops in British pay 1741.

Address

Main residence: Grindon Bridge, Northumb.

biography text

Thomas Watson was an influential member of the corporation of Berwick, for which he was returned, voting regularly with the Government. Up to 1754 his fellow Member was Lord Barrington, with whom he fell out c.1749-50, when the 2nd Lord Egmont wrote in his electoral survey for the Prince of Wales, ‘I am assured that Watson will be able to turn out Barrington and bring in a proper person’. In March 1754 he is shown in a list of secret service pensions as receiving one of £500 a year.1Add. 33038, f. 415. He died 7 Jan. 1766.

Author

R.R.S.

Volume

Commons 1715-1754

Notes

1. Add. 33038, f. 415.