Biography. 3
The Warren family may have originated as a branch of the Cheshire family based at Poynton. Warren's great-grandfather, Sir Arnold Warren, fought for Charles I. At some point about the middle of the 17th century the family estate at Thorpe Arnold, Leicestershire, was sold and his father purchased Stapleford and other property in Nottinghamshire. Warren snr. was also active in local politics, joining the subscription for the Whig candidates for the county in September 1679, serving as sheriff of the county in 1679–80, and making his mark as a busy j.p. In James II's reign he became a deputy-lieutenant and militia captain, responded favourably to the 'three questions' and was continued in the lieutenancy. Nothing, however, is known about his attitude to the Revolution, but although his name disappears from the records of active justices after 1688, his inheritance of the Borlase estates in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire in February 1689 was a great enhancement to the family's wealth and influence.
Borlase Warren succeeded to a considerable estate on his father's death in 1697. Two years later he made an advantageous marriage which increased his influence in the south of the county. He managed to escape the onerous duties of sheriff twice around the turn of the century, first in Oxfordshire in 1699 and secondly in Nottinghamshire in 1702. However, he eventually served as sheriff for both counties in Queen Anne's reign. In March 1703 he became a deputy-lieutenant in Buckinghamshire, again a result of the Borlase inheritance.
The close proximity to Nottingham of Warren's estate at Stapleford made it a natural place for him to seek election to Parliament. After being first made a freeman (but not sworn), he stood in partnership with Robert Sacheverell in 1710, only to finish bottom of the poll due to his inability to attract more than a handful of cross-votes from the Whigs. He voted for the Tory ticket in the county contest. His relationship to the Harpur family led him to play a role in thwarting the return for Derbyshire of Thomas Coke, a Court Tory, who had voted for the impeachment of Dr Sacheverell. Warren stood again in the 1713 election, this time being returned with a majority of over 100 votes. He was classed as a Tory on the Worsley list and on another list of the 1713 Parliament which analysed the returns of 1715. Although defeated in 1715 and 1722, Warren was returned in 1727 and sat until his death on 15 May 1747. His grandson, Sir John Borlase Warren, sat during George III's reign.
Research Notes: