GASHRY, Francis (1702-62), of Hollybush House, Parson’s Green, London

Family and Education
b. 14 Nov. 1702, s. of Francis Gascherie, perfumer, of Lamb’s St., Stepney by his w. Susanna, both natives of La Rochelle.1Reg. of the Church of La Patente, Spitalfields, 1689-1785 (Huguenot Soc. xi), 35. m. bef. 1747, Martha, sis. of Burrington Goldsworthy (consul at Leghorn, and subsequently at Cadiz), aunt of Philip Goldsworthy, wid. of Charles Bolton (nephew of Adm. Charles Wager, M.P.),2VCH Surr. iv. 88-89. s.p. suc. through his w. to manor of Rotherhithe, and to Kilmenath, nr. Looe, on d. of Wager’s wid. 1748.
Offices Held

Inspector of the captains’ journals, sec. to Sir Charles Wager (first ld. of Admiralty 1732–42), and commr. for sick and hurt seamen 1737; asst. sec. to the Admiralty 1738; commr. of the navy 1741 – 47; comptroller of victualling accounts 1744 – 47; director, South Sea Co. 1749 – d.; treasurer and paymaster of Ordnance 1751 – d.

Address
Main residence: Hollybush House, Parson's Green, London.
biography text

Gashry’s father was naturalized in 1709 as ‘Gascherye’;3Denizations and Naturalizations of Aliens in England Ireland, 1701-1800 (Huguenot Soc. xxvii), 84. in the books of the Sun Fire Office in 1710 the name is anglicized into ‘Gashery’. Francis Gashry started his official and parliamentary career under the auspices of Sir Charles Wager; and became the intermediary between Administration and the Trelawny family at East Looe4Namier, Structure, 205, 443. and also agent for Edward Trelawny, governor of Jamaica. Newcastle wrote about the Looes on 15 Mar. 1754: ‘Mr. Roberts is ordered to talk with Mr. Gashry concerning the state of these boroughs.’5Add. 19038, ff. 44-45, 48-51; 32995, ff. 63-67. Gashry informed Newcastle of Pelham’s engagements to the Trelawnys, and obtained office for John Buller, heir to Governor Trelawny’s electoral interest.

In October 1761 Newcastle left it to Gashry to secure the attendance of the Members for the two Looes at the opening of the session. In the House Gashry can be presumed to have voted with the Administration; there is no record of his having spoken.

As director of the South Sea Company and treasurer of the Ordnance, Gashry was consulted by Newcastle on financial matters, and he was a subscriber to Government loans.6Add. 32893, f. 481; 33039, f. 258; 33040, ff. 290-1; Devonshire mss 512, f. 10; Bank of England recs. After having ‘long been in a declining state’7H. B. Legge to Newcastle, 20 Feb. 1762, Add. 32934, f. 490. Gashry died 19 May 1762. Executor under his will was the Rev. William Buller, brother of James, John and Francis Buller. Gashry left a mourning ring to Richard Rigby.

Author
L.B.N.
Volume
Commons 1754-1790
Notes
  • 1. Reg. of the Church of La Patente, Spitalfields, 1689-1785 (Huguenot Soc. xi), 35.
  • 2. VCH Surr. iv. 88-89.
  • 3. Denizations and Naturalizations of Aliens in England Ireland, 1701-1800 (Huguenot Soc. xxvii), 84.
  • 4. Namier, Structure, 205, 443.
  • 5. Add. 19038, ff. 44-45, 48-51; 32995, ff. 63-67.
  • 6. Add. 32893, f. 481; 33039, f. 258; 33040, ff. 290-1; Devonshire mss 512, f. 10; Bank of England recs.
  • 7. H. B. Legge to Newcastle, 20 Feb. 1762, Add. 32934, f. 490.