Henry Thrale's parliamentary career

  • Posted on: 20 September 2009
  • By: David Thrale

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Comments

I found your web page via GENUKI Family History News, and was very interested to read your biography of Hester Thrale, as I had found out a little about her, because of my ancestral research.

My 5x great-grandfather William Devaynes was M.P. for Barnstaple for most of the period 1774 - 1806, a Director and Chairman of the East India Co. His brother, John Devaynes, was Royal Apothercary to Queen Charlotte, wife of George III.

Whilst reading Boswell's "Life of Dr. Johnson" I came across a passage concerning Henry Thrale's last bid for election to parliament (vol. iii, p.442):

Mrs. Thrale to her eldest daughter, 16 May 1780 - We are just come from a general canvass of the sullen Jonians, whom we have subdued and gained in great numbers ... Govr. Devaynes canvassed with me all morning...

Sorry my ancestor was not of much use in helping Henry!

Pat McCourt

David Thrale's picture

Many thanks for the information. Don't feel too bad about letting the Thrale's down, we forgive you! From what I have read, Henry Thrale lost because he looked deathly sick on the hustings.

Do you know how John Devaynes was connected with the Thrales?

David

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