Sir Richard Sandford, 3rd Baronet

Sir Richard Sandford, 3rd Baronet (8 September 1675 – 2 April 1723) was an English landowner and Whig politician who sat in the English House of Commons between 1695 and 1707, and in the British House of Commons from 1708 to 1723.

Early life

Sandford was the only son of Sir Richard Sandford, 2nd Baronet, of Howgill Castle, Westmorland and his wife Mary Bowes, daughter of Sir Francis Bowes of Thornton, County Durham. His father was murdered in the White Friars, London on the day, and even - it was said - the hour, of his son's birth. His attackers Henry Symbal and William Jones were executed shortly after. He entered Christ's College, Cambridge in 1692.

Political career Sandford was chosen by Sir John Lowther, 2nd Baronet, as his partner for Westmorland at the 1695 general election although under age, and was returned as Member of Parliament (MP) unopposed. He was returned unopposed again at Westmorland in 1698. He was selected as Mayor of Appleby for the year 1700 to 1701. There was a contest at Westmorland in January 1701 at which he was defeated. He was then returned, on the interest of Lord Carlisle, at Morpeth at a by-election on 31 May 1701. He was elected MP for Westmorland again in December 1701 but was defeated there at the 1702 general election. He turned to Morpeth again in 1705 and was returned there unopposed at the 1705 general election and in 1708 and 1710. At the 1713 general election he was elected in contest as MP for Appleby. He was appointed Warden of the Mint in 1714 and held the post until 1717.

Sandford was returned unopposed for Appleby in the 1715 and 1722 general elections.

Death and legacy Sandford died unmarried on 2 April 1723 at the age aged 47 and the baronetcy became extinct on his death. His estates passed to his sister, the wife of Philip Honywood.