Sir Joseph Pennington, 2nd Baronet of Muncaster

CUMBERLAND1734 - 3 Dec. 1744Family and Education b. 4 Oct. 1677, 1st s. of Sir William Pennington, 1st Bt., of Muncaster by Isabella, da. and coh. of John Stapleton of Warter, Yorks. educ. Queen’s, Oxf. 1695. m. 20 Mar. 1706, Margaret, da. of John Lowther, M.P., 1st Visct. Lonsdale, 4s. 1da. who was mother of Robert Lowther, M.P., and Sir James Lowther, 5th Bt., M.P. suc. fa. 12 July 1730.

Offices Held

Comptroller of cash in the excise 1723-34.

Biography Pennington came of an old Cumberland family, whose natural interest in the county was strengthened by alliances with the Lowthers. He was also connected with the Lawsons through his mother, who was first cousin to Gilfrid Lawson. In 1720 he was recommended by his brother-in-law, Lord Lonsdale, for a place to Walpole, who replied that he had ‘always understood that a sinecure of about £300 or £400 per annum was his only view, and that no employment of business or personal attendancy was at all agreeable to his life or circumstances’.1 In 1723 he obtained a place, which he surrendered in 1734 to his son in order to be returned for the county on the recommendation of his brother-in-law in succession to Gilfrid Lawson, who gave him his interest.2 Re-elected in 1741, he voted with the Government in all recorded divisions till his death, 3 Dec. 1744.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754 Author: Romney R. Sedgwick Notes 1. HMC Lonsdale, 122. 2. B. Bonsall, Sir James Lowther and Cumb, and Westmld. Elections, 7