William Ashe-à Court

Who was William Ashe-à Court?

William Ashe-à Court was a British military commander and Member of Parliament.

Born William à Court, he was the son of Pierce à Court and Elizabeth Ashe. He achieved the rank of General in the British Army and also sat as Member of Parliament for Heytesbury between 1751 and 1781. In 1768 he assumed by Royal license the additional surname of Ashe. Ashe-à Court married Annabella Vernon, daughter of Thomas Vernon, in 1746. He died August 1781. His son William succeeded him as representative for Heytesbury in Parliament and was created a Baronet in 1795 while his grandson, also named William, was raised to the peerage as Baron Heytesbury in 1828.