Nathaniel Polhill (1723–1782) was a British merchant and politician who served as a Member of Parliament in the

House of Commons The House of Commons is the name for the elected lower house of the Bicameralism, bicameral parliaments of the United Kingdom and Canada. In both of these countries, the Commons holds much more legislative power than the nominally upper house of ...

from 1774 to 1782.

Early & Personal Life

Born on 7 January 1723, Polhill was the eldest son of William Polhill of Burwash, Sussex, and his wife Hannah Lade, daughter of Stephen Lade of Downham, Norfolk. He married Elizabeth Coppard, daughter of William Coppard of Hastings, on 5 March 1750. They had six children, including Nathaniel Polhill (1756–1782), who married Ursula, daughter of Ebenezer Maitland MP; and John Polhill (1757–1828), whose son was Frederick Polhill (1798–1848). He bought Howbury Hall,

Renhold Renhold is a village and civil parish located on the River Ouse, in the Borough of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. The parish church is situated some 4 miles (6.5 km) east-north-east of Bedford town centre. The former Bedfordshire County ...

, Bedfordshire from the Becher family in 1781 for £17,500. On his death, Howbury passed to his son Nathaniel (1756-1782), however he died soon after. It passed to his son Nathaniel (1782–1802). He died aged 19, and it passed to his uncle John (1757–1828), and later to his son Frederick (1798–1848). It remains in the family to this day. Nathaniel Polhill senior died on 29 August 1782, leaving behind estates spanning five counties.

Career

Primarily engaged in the tobacco trade in Southwark, he later became a partner in a City bank from 1777 onwards. During the general election of 1774, Polhill contested the

Southwark Southwark ( ) is a district of Central London situated on the south bank of the River Thames, forming the north-western part of the wider modern London Borough of Southwark. The district, which is the oldest part of South London, developed ...

constituency, advocating for both economic and parliamentary reform. He successfully secured a seat in the

after achieving the highest poll results. In the subsequent 1780 general election general election, he was once again elected for Southwark following a competitive contest. Considered a

Radical Radical (from Latin: ', root) may refer to: Politics and ideology Politics *Classical radicalism, the Radical Movement that began in late 18th century Britain and spread to continental Europe and Latin America in the 19th century *Radical politics ...

, Polhill was an influential figure within the Protestant Association and his sole recorded parliamentary speech involved seconding

Lord George Gordon Lord George Gordon (26 December 1751 – 1 November 1793) was a British nobleman and politician best known for lending his name to the Gordon Riots of 1780. An eccentric and flighty personality, he was born into the Peerage of Scotland, Scottis ...

's motion concerning the Association's petition.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Polhill, Nathaniel 1723 births 1782 deaths 18th-century British merchants British bankers British MPs 1774–1780 British MPs 1780–1784 Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for English constituencies