BARRINGTON, Sir John, 7th Bt. (d.1776), of Swainstown, I.o.W.

The Barrington family owned a number of burgages at Newtown, and could usually claim one seat. In 1754 Sir John was returned unopposed, and was classed by Dupplin as ‘doubtful’.

He voted with Opposition over the peace preliminaries, 9 Dec. 1762, Wilkes, 15 Nov. 1763, and general warrants, 6 and 15 Feb. 1764; was classed as a ‘sure’ friend by Newcastle on 10 May 1764, and as ‘pro’ by Rockingham in July 1765. But on 18 Aug. 1765 Newcastle wrote: ‘Sir John Barrington, though generally with us, is in himself a wavering man.’2To the Duke of Cumberland, Add. 32969, f. 74. Listed as ‘Government’ by Charles Townshend in January 1767, he voted with them on the land tax, 27 Feb. 1767.

In 1768 Barrington had to fight a contested election at Newtown, standing jointly with Harcourt Powell against Sir Thomas Worsley and John Glynn. Robinson noted him as ‘pro, present’ over the royal marriage bill, 1772, but his name appears in no division list for this Parliament. There is no record of his having spoken in the House.

In November 1775 he vacated his seat, and died 4 May 1776.