PENNINGTON, Sir Joseph, 2nd Bt. (1677-1744), of Muncaster, Cumb.

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’.HMC Lonsdale, 122. 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.B. Bonsall, Sir James Lowther and Cumb, and Westmld. Elections, 7. Re-elected in 1741, he voted with the Government in all recorded divisions till his death, 3 Dec. 1744.