Hood is a famous name in British naval history, and two notable Somerset Admiral Hoods were also MPs. These were two sons of Rev Samuel Hood, Vicar of Butleigh – Samuel (later Viscount Hood) and Alexander (later Viscount Bridport).
Samuel was born in Butleigh on 12 December 1724, and began his naval career in 1741. His political activities began unexpectedly when, in 1782 – while at sea – he was nominated without his consent as a candidate for the constituency of Westminster. His son withdrew his nomination, to Samuel’s relief: “What a lucky escape have I had in the affair of Westminster! … poor as I undoubtedly am, I would sooner have given £500 than have stood a contest … A seat in the House of Commons, I have no ambition after, and will never offer myself for it anywhere…. I think it an employment derogatory to the true character of a sea officer.”
Despite this, through his connections with the Tory Prime Minister, William Pitt, Samuel did stand for election at Westminster in 1784. After what he himself described as “the most arduous and unpleasant business I ever took in hand”, he topped the poll.
His first recorded vote, in April 1785, was in support of Pitt’s parliamentary reform plans, and, heeding his constituents, he opposed a proposed shop tax in his maiden speech the following month. But, despite being the Government spokesperson on naval matters, he was keen to escape parliamentary life because of its financial burdens.
His wish was granted when he lost his Westminster seat in the 1788 by-election required following his appointment as a lord of the Admiralty. A seat was found for him at Reigate a year later, and in 1790, he returned to his former constituency of Westminster. He grumbled about his political life to his brother, Alexander, in 1792: “I believe there never was a man, who had lent himself to an administration, with that zeal and attention I have done, that was ever so neglected.” Nevertheless, he remained a government supporter until his retirement at the 1796 election. He died in 1816.
Alexander was born in Butleigh in 1726, and also joined the Navy in 1741. Both at sea and in Parliament, he was overshadowed by his elder brother, Samuel. He entered Parliament in 1784 as a Tory MP for Bridgwater, but his speeches were described as “all on matters of naval interest and none of much consequence.”
He gave up his seat rather than stand in the 1790 general election, because he could not agree terms with his Bridgwater political patron, Earl Poulett. However he returned at the end of 1790, when a seat at Buckingham was found for him by its patron, the Marquess of Buckingham, to whom he was related through his first wife, Maria West.
He hardly attended the House, mostly being on active service. His response to a vote of thanks on 2 November 1795 was his only reported contribution, and a peerage in 1796 sent him to the Lords. Alexander died in May 1814.
Though not from Somerset, the famous Sir Samuel Hood, born in Kingsland, Dorset in 1762, was related to the two Somerset Hood brothers. He joined the Navy in 1776 , rose to Vice Admiral rank, and died in Madras in 1814.
He stood for the Westminster constituency in 1806 as a Whig, topping the poll, but, by remaining on active service, he missed all the short 1806-7 Parliament. His friends, fearing he would lose his seat in 1807, found him a new seat at Bridport. He rarely attended the House, but did so in February 1809 when receiving its thanks for his service at Corunna. When he rose, “the whole House burst into a roar of applause.” He chose not to stand at the 1812 election.
There are three important Somerset sites related to the naval Hoods. Alexander, Lord Bridport, purchased the estate of Cricket St Thomas near Chardin 1775, and lived at Cricket Lodge. The old church on the estate has connections not just to various members of the Hood family, but also to the famous naval family of Nelson, to whom they were related.
Outside Butleigh stands the imposing Hood Monument, dedicated to Sir Samuel. Butleigh Church is full of Hood memorabilia, including, in the south transept, the Hood Memorial with verses by the poet, Robert Southey.
© JB Seatrobe (Barry K Winetrobe & Janet Seaton) 2018. A version of this article was published originally in the Sept 2018 issue of the Somerset Leveller, #41