BARNE, Miles (1746-1825), of Sotterley Hall, Suff. and May Place, Crayford, Kent.

Miles Barne had refused to succeed his father to a seat for Dunwich on the family interest in 1777 because he preferred ‘living in the country’.1E. Suff. RO, Barne coll. 359/70. When in 1791 his half-brother Barne Barne, who had been substituted for him, resigned with a place, he could not well decline; his other half-brothers were engaged in the law, the army and the Church. He had only recently failed in his bid to avoid serving as sheriff of the county.2Ibid, 359/124. It is clear that he was a reluctant Member. A supporter of Pitt’s administration, he left no trace of activity in the House, though he was listed hostile to the repeal of the Test Act in Scotland in April 1791, and notes from George Rose and Pitt requesting his attendance on Grey’s motion of 7 May 1793 and on 30 Dec. 1794 survive.3Ibid. 359/24, 110. On 24 Nov. 1795 he was a defaulter. At the dissolution he retired on grounds of health and was succeeded by Snowdon Barne.4PRO 30/8/111.

In short Barne, residing at Sotterley, had no wish to exert himself as head of the family and co-patron of Dunwich and left matters to his half-brothers. Penurious himself, he was, however, a generous landlord and fond of religious observance.5Gent. Mag. (1825), ii. 280. He died 8 Sept. 1825.