OSBALDESTON, George (?1753-93), of Hutton Bushel, nr. Scarborough, Yorks.

In November 1783 the Coalition Government offered Osbaldeston a seat at Hedon, but he preferred to stand on his family interest at Scarborough where he asked for Government support.Osbaldeston to Fitzwilliam, 4 Nov. 1783, Fitzwilliam mss, Northants. RO. His friendship with Lord Fitzwilliam led to the belief that if elected he would oppose Pitt, ‘which he was obliged publicly to explain away previous to his being elected’.Rutland to Pitt, 13 Sept. 1786, Pitt-Rutland Corresp. 170. He stood singly and was returned after a contest.

In William Adam’s list of the new Parliament he was classed with the Opposition. But on 27 May 1784 Daniel Pulteney wrote to Rutland:HMC Rutland, ii. 98. ‘Osbaldeston, who seems very zealous with us, asked me if I thought your Grace would take it ill if he wrote to you to thank you for not having thrown him out at Scarborough ... He says he never was against Mr. Pitt nor means to be.’ His only recorded vote before the Regency was with Government on Richmond’s fortifications plan, 27 Feb. 1786. On 16 Dec. 1788 he is listed as having voted with Pitt on the motion that Parliament should regulate the powers of the Regent, but on 11 Feb. 1789 against the King’s resuming his authority; and in the consolidated list is included among the Opposition. No speech by him is known.

He did not stand in 1790 and died 14 July 1793.