SALUSBURY BRERETON, Owen (?1715-98), of Shotwick Park, nr. Chester

For many years Salusbury Brereton was vice-president of the Society of Antiquaries and contributed essays to their Archaeologia, which presumably earned him his place in the DNB. On his father’s death in 1756 Salusbury Brereton thought of standing in his place for Liverpool,Add. 32863, f. 238. ‘where his vast expenses and services, and my connexions as recorder for 14 years must have established certain success’; but not wishing to divide the Government interest he was going to support Charles Pole.Add. 32863, f. 238. In a letter to Newcastle, 9 Apr., asking for ‘some mark of his Majesty’s favour’, he recounts how after he had at Henry Pelham’s request resigned several important appointments in Wales, he failed to obtain promotion.Add. 32864, f. 200. In another letter of 1 Oct. he applied, unsuccessfully, for a Welsh judgeship. (John Nichols’s story that he ‘never practised law’ is contradicted by his own statement that he was a counsel on the Welsh circuit.)Add. 32868, f. 18.

In 1775 Salusbury Brereton successfully contested Ilchester. Throughout the Parliament he voted regularly with Administration. There is no record of his having spoken in the House. He did not stand again in 1780.

He died 9 Sept. 1798.