Sir James Worsley, 5th Baronet

Sir James Worsley 5th Baronet (1672–1756) of Pylewell Park, Hampshire was a British landowner and politician who sat in the English House of Commons between 1696 and 1707 and in the British House of Commons between 1708 and 1741.

Pylewell Park, Hampshire

Worsley was baptized on 28 May 1672, the eldest son of Sir James Worsley of Pylewell Park and his wife Mary Steward, daughter of Sir Nicholas Steward, 1st Baronet of Hartley Mauditt, Hampshire.^[1] His father had moved to Hampshire from the family's traditional home at Appuldurcombe on the Isle of Wight. James matriculated at New College, Oxford in 1688; and was admitted at Middle Temple in 1691. ^[2]. His father died in 1695 and he succeeded to his estates.^[1]

Worsley was elected Member of Parliament for Newtown (Isle of Wight) at the 1695 general election and retained the seat in 1698 and in the first general election of 1701. He did not stand in the second general election of 1701. He was returned unopposed with his cousin Henry at the 1705 general election and was returned again at the elections of 1708, 1710 and 1713. He was Woodward of the New Forest from 1710 to 1715. He married Rachel Merrick, daughter of Thomas Merrick of St. Margaret’s, Westminster on 25 February 1714.^[3]

At the 1715 general election Worsley was returned as MP for Newtown with his cousin Sir Robert Worsley, 4th Baronet. He did not stand in 1722. There was a contest at the 1727 general election and he was initially returned but then unseated on petition on 25 April 1729. He was returned unopposed at the 1734 general election and did not stand in 1741. ^[4]

Worsley succeeded his cousin the 4th Baronet in the baronetcy on 29 July 1747 but not to Appuldurcombe House, which went in trust for his son.^[4] He died on 12 June 1756 leaving one son Thomas, who succeeded him in the baronetcy.^[1]

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