PELLEW, Hon. Pownoll Bastard (1786-1833), of Canonteign, nr. Chudleigh, Devon

Pellew, the son of a dashing and distinguished naval officer who was created Baron Exmouth in 1814 and made a viscount two years later, was returned unopposed for Launceston for the third time in 1820 on the 3rd duke of Northumberland’s interest. C.N. Parkinson, Edward Pellew, Visct. Exmouth, 399-400. An almost silent Member and poor attender, he continued to support Lord Liverpool’s ministry. He voted in defence of their conduct towards Queen Caroline, 6 Feb., and against repeal of the additional malt duty, 3 Apr. 1821, and was against more extensive tax reductions, 11 Feb. 1822. He divided against Catholic relief, 28 Feb. 1821, and the removal of Catholic peers’ disabilities, 30 Apr. 1822. He was named as a defaulter, 28 Feb. 1825, but attended next day to vote against Catholic relief. He presented three hostile petitions, 18 Apr., The Times, 19 Apr. 1825. divided against the relief bill, 21 Apr., and paired against it, 10 May. He voted against the Irish franchise bill, 26 Apr. 1825. He was again returned unopposed for Launceston at the general election of 1826. West Briton, 16 June 1826.

Responding to a direct appeal for information, he was ‘understood to state that his father had always represented the Indefatigable to him as a very good ship’, 12 Feb. 1827. The Times, 13 Feb. 1827. He divided against Catholic relief, 6 Mar., and was granted one month’s leave having served on an election committee, 26 Mar. 1827. On the formation of the duke of Wellington’s ministry in January 1828 he informed Peel, the leader of the Commons, that he would give his ‘most decided support to any administration in which you take a place ... although my own wishes would have placed you at the head of the present cabinet’. Add. 40395, f. 155. He voted against repeal of the Test Acts, 26 Feb., and Catholic relief, 12 May 1828. In February 1829 Planta, the patronage secretary, listed him as being ‘opposed to the principle’ of Catholic emancipation. However, his patron had been appointed lord lieutenant of Ireland and, after presenting three anti-Catholic petitions, 9 Mar. 1829, he resigned his seat. He was actively involved in the effort to reorganize Devon Toryism after the election defeat in 1830. W. Devon RO, Bastard mss 74/281, Pellew to Bastard, 5 Sept. 1830. Having succeeded to his father’s peerage in January, He was the residuary legatee of the estate, which was eventually sworn under £90,000 (PROB 11/1811/80; IR26/1319/103). he died in December 1833 and was succeeded by his eldest son Edward (1811-76); his personalty was eventually sworn under £12,000. PROB 11/1827/84; IR26/1351/70.