Sir William Wyndham, 1st Baronet

Sir William Wyndham, 1st Baronet (1633–1683), portrait late 1670s, studio of Sir Peter Lely (1618–1680). Collection of National Trust, Petworth House, Sussex. The 5th Baronet's mother was Lady Catherine Seymour, a sister of the 7th Duke of Somerset, through whom he inherited Petworth House in 1750

Arms of Wyndham: Azure, a chevron between three lion's heads erased or

Sir William Wyndham, 1st Baronet (ca. 1632 – 29 October 1683) of Orchard Wyndham, Somerset, was Member of Parliament for Somerset in 1656 and twice for Taunton in 1659 and 1660. He was Sheriff of Somerset in 1679–80.

Origins

William Wyndham was the eldest son of John Wyndham (d. 1649) of Orchard Wyndham (2nd son and heir of Sir John Wyndham (1558-1645) of Orchard Wyndham) by his wife Catherine Hopton, daughter of Robert Hopton of Witham, Somerset and sister of Ralph Hopton, 1st Baron Hopton (d. 1652).

Career

He succeeded his father in 1649 when a student of Lincoln's Inn and travelled abroad from 1650 to 1653.^[1] In 1656 Wyndham was elected Member of Parliament for Somerset in the Second Protectorate Parliament. He was elected MP for Taunton 1659 in the Third Protectorate Parliament. In 1660 he was elected MP for Taunton again in the Convention Parliament. He was knighted by 24 August 1660. In 1661 he was re-elected MP for Taunton for the Cavalier Parliament.^[1] He was created by King Charles II a baronet, "of Orchard, Somerset", on 9 December 1661,^[2] and served as Sheriff of Somerset in 1679–80.

Marriage & progeny

Wyndham married Frances Hungerford, daughter of Anthony Hungerford of Farleigh Castle, Somerset on 8 June 1653 and had five sons and six daughters^[1] including:

• Sir Edward Wyndham, 2nd Baronet (c.1667-1695), of Orchard Wyndham, eldest son and heir.

Mural monument in Clovelly Church to Joan Wyndham (1669-1687), first wife of William Cary (c.1661-1710), who died aged 18

• Joan Wyndham (1669-1687), first wife of William Cary (c.1661-1710) of Clovelly, Devon, twice Member of Parliament for Okehampton in Devon 1685-1687 and 1689-1695 and also for Launceston in Cornwall 1695-1710.^[3] She died aged 18 without progeny and was buried in the Wyndham Chapel of St Decuman's Church, Watchet. Her mural monument survives in Clovelly Church, showing at the top the arms of Cary (Argent, on a bend sable three roses of the field) impaling Wyndham, which arms on escutcheons are also held by a pair of putti below. the monument is inscribed as follows:

"In memory of Joan the wife of William Cary of Clovelly Esq^r daughter of S^r William Wyndham of Orchard Wyndham in the county of Somersett, Baronett, who dyed Febr^y the 4th 86/7 in the 18th year of her age and lys buryed in St Decomans Church Somersett. En forma, moribus, virtutibus vere egregiam! Sed cum egregiam dicimus hic tacemus lugentes (i.e. "Behold! in her appearance, morals and virtues (she was) truly outstanding! But when we say outstanding, here we are silent, lamenting")

References

1. History of Parliament Online - Wyndham, William
2. George Edward Cokayne Complete Baronetage, Volume 3 1900
3. History of Parliament biography of Cary, William (c.1661-1710), of Clovelly, Devon

• List of speakers: Parliaments of 1656 and 1658-9, Diary of Thomas Burton esq (1828) at British History Online