John Yorke (1728–1801)

For other people of the same name, see John Yorke.

John Yorke (1728–1801) was an English barrister and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1753 to 1784.

John Yorke
Member of the House of Commons for Higham Ferrers
In office 1753–1768
Preceded by	John Hill
Succeeded by	Frederick Montagu
Member of the House of Commons for Reigate
In office 1768–1784
Preceded by	Charles Yorke
Succeeded by	Edward Leeds
Personal details
Born	1728
Died	1801
Spouse	Elizabeth Lygon
Children	Jemima Yorke Carew
Parent(s)	Philip Yorke, Margaret Cocks
Alma mater	Corpus Christi College

Life

Yorke was the fourth son of Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke and his wife Margaret Cocks. Educated at Newcome's School, he matriculated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge in 1746, graduating M.A. in 1749. Admitted to Lincoln's Inn in 1746, he was called to the bar in 1754.^[1][2]

Yorke held a number of legal sinecures, secured for him by his father as Lord Chancellor.^[2] In 1753 he was offered the parliamentary seat of Higham Ferrers, by Lord Rockingham, against his father's plans, and took it up. In practice he neglected the House of Commons, is not known to have spoken there, and lived much with his parents at Wimpole. He transferred in 1768 to the Reigate seat, which his brother Charles had given up, and retired as Member of Parliament in 1784.^[3]

Yorke owned The Cedars, a prominent house in Sunninghill, Berkshire. He sold the house to the antiquary George Ellis.^[4]

Family

Portrait of Jemima Yorke (by Francis Cotes)

The memorial to Elizabeth Lygon at St Andrew's Church, Wimpole on the Wimpole Estate

Yorke married Elizabeth Lygon (b. 1742, d. 1766), the only daughter of Reginald Lygon of Madresfield. They had one daughter, Jemima Yorke (b. 1763, d. 16 Jul 1804), she married Reginald Pole Carew.^[1][2][5]

Notes

1. "Yorke, John (YRK746J)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
2. "Yorke, Hon. John (1728–1801), of Sonning, Berks., History of Parliament Online". Retrieved 12 September 2015.
3. "Yorke, Hon. John (1728–1801), of Sonning, Berks., History of Parliament Online". Retrieved 12 September 2015.
4. "Victoria County History - Berkshire A History of the County of Berkshire: Volume 3 Parishes: Sunninghill. British History Online". Victoria County History. 1923. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
5. "Person Page". thepeerage.com. Retrieved 4 December 2021.

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by John Hill	Member of Parliament for Higham Ferrers 1753 –1768	Succeeded by Frederick Montagu
Preceded by Charles Cocks Charles Yorke	Member of Parliament for Reigate 1768–1784 With: Charles Cocks	Succeeded by William Bellingham Edward Leeds