Francis Newport, 1st Earl of Bradford

Francis Newport, 1st Earl of Bradford was born on 23 February 1619/20.1 He was the son of Richard Newport, 1st Baron Newport of High Ercall and Rachael Leveson. He was baptised on 12 March 1619/20 at Wroxester, Shropshire, England. He married Lady Diana Russell, daughter of Francis Russell, 4th Earl of Bedford and Hon. Catharine Brydges, on 28 April 1642 at St. Gile's-in-the-Fields Church, London, England. He died on 19 September 1708 at age 88 at Twickenham, London, England.1 He was buried on 4 October 1708 at Wroxester, Shropshire, England.1 His will was proven (by probate) in October 1708.

He matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford University, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, on 18 November 1635. He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Shrewsbury from 1640 to 22 January 1643/44. He fought in the Battle of Oswestry on 29 June 1644, where he fought on the King's side, and was taken prisoner. He succeeded to the title of 2nd Baron Newport of High Ercall, co. Shropshire [E., 1642] on 8 February 1650/51. He held the office of Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire between 1660 and 1687. He held the office of Comptroller of the Household between 1668 and 1672. He was invested as a Privy Counsellor (P.C.) between 1 July 1668 and 21 April 1679. He held the office of Treasurer of the Household between 1672 and 1687.1 He was created 1st Viscount Newport of Bradford, co. Shropshire [England] on 11 March 1674/75. He held the office of Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire between 1689 and 1704. He held the office of Treasurer of the Household between 1689 and 1708. He was invested as a Privy Counsellor (P.C.) on 14 February 1688/89. He held the office of Cofferer of the Household between 1691 and 1702. He was created 1st Earl of Bradford, co. Shropshire [England] on 11 May 1694.1

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Contemporary portrait of The 1st Earl of Bradford
Francis Newport, 1st Earl of Bradford PC (23 February 1620 – 19 September 1708), styled The Honourable between 1642 and 1651, was an English soldier, courtier and Whig politician.
Background
Born at Wroxeter, he was the eldest son of Richard Newport, 1st Baron Newport and his wife Rachel Leveson, daughter of Sir John Leveson (circa 1555 – 1615) and sister of Sir Richard Leveson (1598–1661).[1] His younger brother was Andrew Newport.[2] In 1651, he succeeded his father as baron.[1] Newport was educated at Christ Church, Oxford.[3]
Career
He represented Shrewsbury in both the Short Parliament and Long Parliament.[4] A royalist during the English Civil War, he fought in 1644 in the Battle of Oswestry on the side of King Charles I of England and was then imprisoned.[5] After the restoration in 1660, Newport became Custos Rotulorum of Shropshire, fulfilling this office for his lifetime.[6] In the same year, he had been appointed also Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire,[7] but on the command of King James II of England was replaced by George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys in 1687.[8] After Jeffrey's death and the Glorious Revolution in 1689, Newport was restored as Lord Lieutenant until 1704.[7]
Newport was Comptroller of the Household between 1668 and 1672.[9] Subsequently, he was appointed Treasurer of the Household, a post he held a first time until 1686, and three years later again until his death in 1708.[9] Newport was also Cofferer of the Household from 1689 until the death of King William III of England in 1702.[10]
In 1668, he was sworn of the Privy Council of England,[7] expelled in 1679 for his opposition to the government,[11] but readmitted in 1689.[7] On 11 March 1675, he was elevated to the peerage as Viscount Newport, of Bradford, in the County of Shropshire, his main home. On 11 May 1694, he was further honoured when he was created Earl of Bradford.[12]
Family and death
On 28 April 1642, Newport married Lady Diana Russell, fourth daughter of Francis Russell, 4th Earl of Bedford, at St Giles in the Fields, London,[3] and had by her five daughters and four sons.[13]
One daughter, Katherine, married Henry Herbert, 4th Baron Herbert of Chirbury: she left funds on her death in 1716 to endow almshouses in Preston upon the Weald Moors, Shropshire, as a thanksgiving for her rescue when lost on the Alps.[14]
Newport died aged 88 in Twickenham[13]
He was buried in St Andrew's Church, Wroxeter, two weeks later[3] and was succeeded in his titles by his oldest son Richard.[1] His younger son Thomas was raised to the Peerage of England in his own right.[1]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Newport,_1st_Earl_of_Bradford