WORSLEY, Thomas II (1686-1751), of Hovingham, Yorks.

In December 1703 Worsley’s father decided to send his only surviving son to ‘some warmer clime for the perfecting his health’, due to a cold and cough that had lingered a great length of time. With his health recovered, Worsley was returned for Malton on a double return in 1708, but was declared not duly elected on 14 Dec. Having decided against contesting a by-election in the borough the following year, he stood for Malton in the general election of 1710, and was defeated once again. Despite petitions from both himself and the ‘out-holders and borough men’ of Malton against the return, Worsley had to wait until June 1711 before entering Parliament, taking, unopposed, a seat at Thirsk upon a by-election on the interest of his father-in-law, Sir Thomas Frankland. However, he was not a particularly active Member, being granted leave of absence for six weeks on 1 Mar. 1712. In the following session he voted against the French commerce bill on 18 June 1713, when he was classed as a Whig. Following the Hanoverian succession, his father endeavoured unsuccessfully to get a government post for him, addressing his request to the Earl of Carlisle (Charles Howard*). Worsley was buried at Hovingham on 2 Mar. 1751. His eldest son by his first marriage represented Orford and Callington in the reign of George III. Worsley mss ZON 13/1/259–60, 303, 310, 348, Thomas Worsley II to Thomas Worsley I, 19 Aug. 1703, Worsley I to Dr John Covell, [Dec.], Covell to Thomas Worsley I, 25 Dec. 1703, Frankland to same, 11 Aug. 1709, Henry Frankland to same, 20 Sept. 1710, Carlisle to Thomas Worsley I, [1714–15]; Luttrell, Brief Relation, vi. 383.