William Farrington (Royalist)

William Farrington (died 1659) was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1640. He supported the Royalist cause in the English Civil War.

Farrington was the son of William Farrington and grandson of William Farrington of Worden, Lancashire, an estate which the family had held since the time of Edward III. His grandfather left him the estate at Worden in 1610, cutting out his father who was said to have been a spendthrift. Farrington also purchased the manor of Leyland in 1617.[1] He was secretary to Lord Strange. In 1636 he was High Sheriff of Lancashire.[2]

In April 1640, Farrington was elected Member of Parliament for Lancashire in the Short Parliament.[3] In the Civil War, was appointed a commissioner of array and was reported by the Parliamentarians as one of "the most busy and active". His servant, William Sumner, captured a stock of gunpowder at Preston in 1642. Also in 1642, Farrington accompanied Lord Strange to the siege of Manchester.[1] He was principal adviser of the Countess in her defence of Lathom House against Parliamentary forces in the Siege of Lathom House. His estate was sequestered by parliament.[2] He was a prisoner in 1646, after which he compounded for his estates and took no further part in the wars.[1]

Farrington died in 1659[2] three years after his father who died at the age of 90.[4] He was succeeded by his son William who also fought in the Royalist cause and was nominated for the title of Knight of the Royal Oak.[5]

References

External links

Parliament of England
Preceded by
Parliament suspended since 1629
Member of Parliament for Lancashire
1640
With: Sir Gilbert Hoghton, 2nd Baronet
Succeeded by
Ralph Ashton
Roger Kirkby