James Modyford Heywood
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Hon. Robert Boyle-Walsingham
The Lord Shuldham
James Modyford Heywood | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Heywood, by Thomas Gainsborough, 18th century | |
| Member of Parliament for Fowey | |
| In office 1768–1774 | |
| Preceded by | Philip Rashleigh Hon. Robert Boyle-Walsingham |
| Succeeded by | Philip Rashleigh The Lord Shuldham |
| High Sheriff of Devon | |
| In office 1759–1760 | |
| Preceded by | Peter Comyns |
| Succeeded by | Arscott Bickford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1732 |
| Died | 22 April 1798 (aged 65–66) |
| Spouse | Catherine Hartopp |
| Relations | Sir Abraham Elton, 2nd Baronet (grandfather) |
| Children | 6 |
| Parent(s) | James Heywood Mary Elton |
| Education | Eton College |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
James Modyford Heywood (c1729 – 22 March 1798) was an English Member of Parliament for Fowey, plantation owner in Jamaica, and Lord of the Admiralty.
_-_Mary_Heywood,_Mrs_James_Heywood_(1706–1755)_-_624155_-_National_Trust.jpg)
Heywood was the only son of James Heywood (c1684–1738), of Maristow (near Roborough in Devon) and Jamaica, and the former Mary Elton (1706–1755),[1] daughter of Sir Abraham Elton, 2nd Baronet of Clevedon Court, MP for Bristol and Taunton.[2] His paternal grandparents were Col. Peter Heywood and Grace (née Modyford) Heywood (daughter of Elizabeth (née Stanning) Modyford and Sir James Modyford, 1st Baronet, Deputy-governor of Jamaica).[3] His sister, Lucy Heywood, married Sir Robert Throckmorton, 4th Baronet.[4]
Heywood succeeded to his father's estates in 1738, including Heywood Hall in St. Mary, Jamaica.[5] He was educated at Eton between 1742 and 1747 and entered Trinity College, Cambridge on 8 June 1747, aged 17.[1]
Career
Heywood served as High Sheriff of Devon in 1759. After a contest, Heywood was returned for Fowey on the Edgcumbe interest in 1768, although no vote by him is recorded before February 1774. In 1770 Thomas Davenport wrote to the Duke of Portland, that "Heywood would have Administration support at the next election." There is no record of his having spoken in the House and he did not stand again for Parliament.[1]
Heywood served as Lord of the Admiralty from December 1783 to March 1784,.[1] under his brother-in-law, Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe (who became First Lord of the Admiralty in January 1783 during the Earl of Shelburne's ministry, resigning in April 1783 when the Duke of Portland came to power and being re-appointed in December 1783 under the Younger Pitt's first ministry.[6][7]
Before his death, Heywood sold his Jamaican estate, Heywood Hall (and the enslaved people on it), to Donald Campbell for £18,000.[5]
