Peter Burrell, MP

Family and Education b. 6 Aug. 1692, 1st s. of Peter Burrell of Kelseys, Beckenham, Kent by Isabella, da. of John Merrick of Stubbers, North Ockenden, Essex; bro. of Merrick Burrell., educ. Merchant Taylors’ 1704-7. m. 14 Mar. 1723, Amy, da. of Hugh Raymond of Langley, 4s. 2da. suc. fa. 1718.

Offices Held Director, South Sea Co. 1724-33, sub-gov. 1736-d.; director, Exchange Assurance 1726-38; sheriff, Kent 1732-3.

Biography A leading merchant in the Portugal trade, Burrell voted with the Government, except on the excise bill, which he opposed. In 1730 he introduced a bill, which became law, allowing South Carolina to send rice direct to Southern Europe; in 1737 he was one of the chief speakers against Sir John Barnard’s scheme for reducing the interest on the national debt; and in 1741 he supported a bill to regulate insurance, which was opposed by Barnard. On the outbreak of war with Spain he secured a contract for remitting money for the forces in Jamaica, in partnership with John Bristow, with whom he also shared similar contracts for Gibraltar and Minorca. After Walpole’s fall the Jamaican contract was severely criticized by the secret committee set up by the House of Commons to inquire into his Administration.1 Included in the Treasury list of underwriters of a loan in 1744, taking £90,000,2 Burrell spoke for the Government in a debate on supply, 22 Feb. that year.3 He died 16 Apr. 1756.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754 Author: Romney R. Sedgwick Notes 1.CJ, xxi. 464, 500-1, 535; xxiv, 289-92, 303-15. 2.Gent. Mag. 1744, p. 225.

Peter Burrell was Sub-Governor of the South Sea Company.

He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Haslemere between 1722 and 1754.

He lived at Langley Park, Kent, England.

He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Dover between 1755 and 1756.