James Watney Jr

He married Blanche Maria Georgiana, daughter of Frederick Salmon Burrell, on 8 July 1856[2] and lived at Haling Park in Croydon,[3] Beddington in Surrey.

Watney contested the 1871 by-election in the East Surrey constituency as a Conservative, following the death of the Liberal MP and fellow brewer Charles Buxton.

According to the Birmingham Daily Post, "he ... stood on the 'Beer and Bible' platform, and carried what had always been regarded as a safe Liberal seat by a swinging majority".

[5] His will was proved on its fourth reswearing owing to minor alterations and final accounting, and his estate was valued at £1,309,245 (equivalent to about £191,400,000 in 2023).

[8] Watney's burial, held at Brookwood Cemetery on 6 November, was attended by a large number of mourners, including staff of the Stag Brewery.