There were two William Wollastons who served as Member of Parliament for Ipswich in the 18th century, father and son. Both lived in Finborough Hall, Suffolk. The elder was born on 28 April 1693 and died in 1757, he was Member of Parliament for Ipswich 1731 - 1741.
William the younger was born in 1731, dying in Bath on 9 November 1797. He was the Colonel of Eastern Battalion, Suffolk Militia. He served as M.P. for Ipswich through three sessions 1768-1784.
He inherited the family estates at Finborough and Shenton. He was a great gambler and he lost so heavily that either as a last resort he staked Finborough Hall and lost or else he sold Finborough Hall in order to meet his debts. In any event he did sell the Finborough Hall and Stowmarket estates in 1791 to Roger Pettiward. Later William Wollaston's luck turned and he recouped his losses. . He asked Pettiward to sell Finborough Hall back to him: but Pettiward refused. William thereupon said "You are no gentleman", to which Pettiward replied, "I know I'm not, but I soon shall be"
One of his chief claims to fame, however, is that his portrait was painted by Gainsborough. Painted about 1759 and commissioned by his sister, this portrait remained in possession of the Wollaston family until 1888, when it was sold into private hands. It was purchased for the Ipswich Museums at Christie's sale of the E.J. Wythes collection on 1st March 1946. The painting usually hangs in Christchurch Mansion. In Spring and Summer 2003 it is on tour of America as part of the Tate Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788) exhibition (National Gallery of Art, Washington 9/2-4/5/03, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 9/6-14/9/03).
Two earlier members Wollaston family also served as members of the Parliament. William Wollaston (Yes, another one), who lived from 1270-1350, held extensive property, was Lord of the manor of Trysul and had various public offices. He was in Parliament 1311-1312. His eldest son, Sir John Wollaston, was also in public office and went to parliament in 1315.
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(The Gainsborough portrait is reproduced by permission of Ipswich Borough Council Museums and Galleries.)