Edmund Walrond, MP

Family and Education bap. 18 July 1655, 2nd but 1st surv. s. of Edmund Walrond of Bovey by Anne, ?da. of Richard Roze of Wootton Fitzpaine, Dorset. m. (1) 1689, Elizabeth, da. of Robert Larder of West Chelborough, Dorset, 4s. 2da.; (2) 19 May 1702, Eleanor, wid. of Thomas Sampson of Colyton, Devon, s.p. suc. fa. 1693.1

Offices Held

Lt.-col. of militia ft. Devon by 1680, commr. for assessment 1689-90, j.p. 1692-?d., dep. lt. 1703-d.2

Biography Walrond’s family had been landowners in Devon since the reign of Henry III, but had no previous parliamentary experience. His own branch traced to a younger son in the 15th century; they appear to have been content to live obscurely as minor gentry, though his grandfather did marry a Pole. His father, who was an invalid for some years before his death, played no part in national or local politics.3

Walrond was second-in-command to his cousin John Pole in the local militia. He probably contested Honiton in both elections of 1679, no doubt as a court candidate on the Pole interest, but he was twice defeated. He presented a petition on 26 Nov. 1680, on which no decision was reached. He was, however, successful on the altered franchise of 1685. His only committees in James II’s Parliament were on the bills against the export of wool and for the repair of Bangor Cathedral. In 1688 the court electoral agents regarded him as doubtful on the repeal of the Tests and Penal Laws. Re-elected to the Convention, he was listed by Anthony Rowe as voting to agree with the Lords that the throne was not vacant. On 13 May 1689 he obtained leave for a month, and is not known to have taken any further part in parliamentary proceedings. The dates of his appointment as j.p. under William and Mary and deputy lieutenant under Anne suggest that he was a follower of Edward Seymour, but neither he nor any other of the Walronds of Bovey sat in Parliament again. He was buried at Seaton on 24 Feb. 1708.4

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690 Author: John. P. Ferris Notes 1. Trans. Devon Assoc. xxxix. 264; Hutchins, Dorset, ii. 638; PCC 416 Allchin (will of Susan Henley). 2. CSP Dom. 1685, p. 400; 1703-4, p. 278. 3. Lysons, Devon, 436; PCC 183 Box. 4. CSP Dom. 1682, p. 539.