Newton Fellowes, 4th Earl Of Portsmouth

Newton Fellowes, 4th Earl of Portsmouth (born Hon. Newton Wallop on 26 June 1772 – died 9 January 1854), was an English politician associated with the Peerage of the United Kingdom. His active political career spanned the early 19th century, during which he served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for two different constituencies.

Born in 1772, he was the third son of John Wallop, 2nd Earl of Portsmouth, and Urania Fellowes. His early life included education at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he obtained a Master of Arts degree in 1792.

In 1794, he inherited the estates of his uncle, Henry Arthur Fellowes, at Eggesford in Devon. Following this inheritance, he adopted the surname and coat of arms of Fellowes, becoming Newton Fellowes. This change was associated with his acquisition of property and titles related to the Fellowes family.

Fellowes's political career began when he was elected as MP for Andover, a position he held from 1802 until 1820. After a period away from Parliament, he was elected again as MP for North Devon from 1832 to 1837, alongside his brother-in-law, Viscount Ebrington. His parliamentary service concluded in 1837, and he briefly succeeded to the peerage as Earl of Portsmouth upon the death of his brother in 1853.

Throughout his life, Fellowes was known for his support of Liberal politics, characterized by a zeal and energy in promoting policies aligned with liberal principles. An obituary noted that he was also noted for his cordial and conciliatory manners toward all political parties. In addition to his political endeavors, he contributed to regional infrastructure development, notably being instrumental in constructing the road between Exeter and Barnstaple. He later promoted railway development in North Devon.

Fellowes was married twice. His first marriage was to Frances Sherard, who died in 1819. They had five children: Lady Henrietta Caroline Fellowes (1798–1880), who married Joseph Chichester Nagle; Henry Arthur Wallop Fellowes (1799–1847), who also served as MP for Andover; Newton John Alexander Fellowes (1801–1801), who died in infancy; and three daughters.

His second marriage was to Lady Catherine Fortescue in 1820, daughter of Hugh Fortescue, 1st Earl Fortescue. They had four children: Lady Catherine Henrietta Fellowes (1821–1900), who married Seymour Phillips Allen; Isaac Newton Wallop, who became the 5th Earl of Portsmouth (1825–1891); Lady Hester Urania Wallop (whose date of death is prior to 1887), who married Ralph Merrick Leeke; and Lady Camilla Eleanor Wallop (died 1920), who married her maternal first cousin Hon. Dudley Fortescue.

References include Leigh Rayment’s Historical List of MPs and contributions in Parliament can be found in Hansard records from 1803 to 2005.