Robert Vernon Atherton Gwillym
Robert Vernon Atherton Gwillym, known as Robert Vernon Atherton after 1779, was a British landowner and politician who represented Newton in the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1774 to 1780.
Early life
Gwillym was the second son of Robert Gwillym of Langstone Court, Herefordshire, and his wife, Elizabeth Atherton.His maternal grandparents were Richard Atherton and Elizabeth Farrington of Atherton Hall. He is a direct descendant of Richard Atherton.
Career
He succeeded his brother William in 1771, and inherited Atherton Hall, Leigh. That same year he is listed as a subscriber to a journal on travels to America and of agriculture and plantations.At the 1774 general election, Gwillym was returned unopposed as Member of Parliament for Newton on the interest of his father-in-law. His attendance in Parliament was very infrequent as he suffered from poor health. His only recorded vote was for Wilkes's Middlesex resolution, and he is not recorded as having spoken. He did not stand at the 1780 general election.
Personal life
In January 1763, he married Henrietta Maria Legh, daughter of Peter Legh of Lyme Park and Bank Hall. Together, they were the parents of two sons, who died young, and four daughters.- Henrietta Maria Atherton, who married Thomas Powys, 2nd Baron Lilford in 1797 at Penwortham, Lancashire; they had twelve children.