POLHILL, Nathaniel (1723-82), of Peckham, Surr. and Howbury, Beds.

Polhill was ‘an eminent tobacco merchant’ of Southwark,1Topog. and Gen. i. 190-2. and from 1777 partner in a City bank. He seems to have been a wealthy man, and at the time of his death owned estates in five counties. In 1774 he stood for Southwark as a Wilkite, pledged to a programme of economical and parliamentary reform; and was returned head of the poll. He voted regularly against North’s Administration. He was a leading member of the Metropolitan Protestant Association, and his one reported speech 26 May 1780, was to second Lord George Gordon’s motion on the Association’s petition. In 1780 he was again returned for Southwark after a contest, and was also active on the Surrey committee which organized Admiral Keppel’s election. He died 29 Aug. 1782.