James Watney junior

James Watney junior (1832 – 1886) was a prominent British brewing executive, millionaire and Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for East Surrey, holding one of its two seats from 1871 to 1885.

James Watney junior (1832-1886)

Early life, family and business

James was born 19 May 1832, the eldest son of James Watney and Rebecca Spurrell and was a partner in the family brewing business Watney Combe & Reid.[1] He played first-class cricket for Surrey (1851) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (1851–1852), and later served as Master of the Mercers' Company in 1879.

He married Blanche Maria Georgiana Burrell on 8 July 1856[2] and lived at Haling Park,[3] Beddington, Surrey (now Greater London)[4] and Thorney House, Palace Gate, Kensington.[4][5]

Legacy

It was written by the Birmingham Daily Post, in 1886, about his 1871 election: "he...stood on the 'Beer and Bible' platform, and carried what had always been regarded as a safe Liberal seat by a swinging majority. This was a signal for other victories and later in the same Autumn..."[6] He made 61 contributions according to Hansard in the House of Commons, spanning the years 1872–1882, but made none in 1875.[7]

He pre-deceased his father by 16 months; he died on 2 November 1886 at 'Englemere', Ascot, Berkshire.[5] His probate was on final, fourth reswearing due to minor alterations and final accounting, sworn at £1,309,245 (equivalent to about £152,600,000 in 2019).[5] His widow died on 3 February 1915.[8]

He was buried on 6 November at Woking Cemetery with many present at the ceremony including staff of his Stag Brewery, Pimlico,[9] (and Mortlake in 1869 acquired).

References
  1. Spurrell, J. C., The life of Charles Spurrell and his family's links to the Watney and Gray brewing families, Brewery History No. 138 (December 2010)
  2. Church of England Parish Registers. London Metropolitan Archives, London.
  3. Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle etc (Portsmouth, England), Saturday, 13 November 1886; Issue 5499. British Library Newspapers, Part I: 1800-1900.
  4. 'Palace Gate', in Survey of London: Volume 38, South Kensington Museums Area, ed. F H W Sheppard (London, 1975), pp. 38-48. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol38/pp38-48
  5. https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk Calendar of Probates and Administrations
  6. Birmingham Daily Post (Birmingham, England), Monday, 8 November 1886; Issue 8849. British Library Newspapers, Part I: 1800-1900
  7. Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by James Watney junior
  8. Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England. London, England © Crown copyright.
  9. The Morning Post (London, England), Monday, 8 November 1886; pg. 5; Issue 35689. British Library Newspapers, Part II: 1800-1900.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Charles Buxton
Peter John Locke King		 Member of Parliament for East Surrey
1871–1885
With: Peter John Locke King, to 1874
William Grantham, from 1874		 Constituency abolished
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