STANLEY, John (1740-99), of Plumstead, Kent

In 1750 Stanley’s father, then apparently bankrupt, mortgaged his West Indies estates to a relation, Ralph Willett, whom Stanley himself many years later referred to as ‘the parent of my necessitous youth’.Caribbeana, iii. 362. Stanley, who by 1768 was practising as a lawyer in Nevis, seems to have restored the family fortunes and again acquired considerable property in the West Indies.

In 1784 he was introduced by George Rose as an Administration candidate at the general election, and Robinson included him among ‘Persons that will pay £2,000, or £2,500 or perhaps £3,000’.Laprade 128. He successfully contested Hastings. In Parliament Stanley voted with Opposition on Richmond’s fortifications plan, 27 Feb. 1786 and signed the third party circular, 1 May 1788; but voted with Pitt’s Administration over the Regency. Before 1790 he is not known to have spoken in the House.

He died 1 Apr. 1799.