Augustine Skinner facts for kids
Augustine Skinner was an English politician who lived a long time ago, from about 1594 to 1672. He was a member of the English Parliament for many years between 1642 and 1659. During the English Civil War, he supported the side of Parliament, often called the Parliamentarians.
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Early Life and Family
Augustine Skinner lived at a place called Tutsham Hall in West Farleigh, Kent, England. His family was relatively new to Kent, having moved there from Devon.
Political Career
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In 1642, Augustine Skinner was chosen by the people of Kent to be their representative in Parliament. This Parliament was known as the Long Parliament.
Role in the English Civil War
Skinner strongly supported Parliament during the English Civil War. He was a trusted member and kept his position even when some other members were removed. He chose not to be involved in the trial of King Charles I.
Later Parliamentary Years
After some changes in Parliament, he represented Kent again in the Parliament of 1654. He also served in the restored Rump Parliament in 1659. He was an active local judge, known as a Justice of the Peace, throughout the time England was a Commonwealth. It was said that Oliver Cromwell, a very important leader then, trusted him greatly as a judge.
Financial Struggles
Augustine Skinner bought two large estates that had been taken from the Bishop of Rochester. However, when the King returned to power during the English Restoration, these estates were given back to the Bishop. This left Skinner with a lot of debt.
His brother, William, also faced money problems. To help, they got a special law passed in 1660. This law allowed them to sell other lands to raise money. Skinner's home, Tutsham Hall, was sold to a person named Edward Goulston.
Despite selling his home, Skinner still couldn't pay all his debts. He was arrested because of his debts and sadly died in a prison called the Fleet Prison in 1672. He was 78 years old. He was buried in West Farleigh.
Marriages and Heir
Augustine Skinner married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Twisden, whose father was a lawyer named Richard Braithwaite. His second wife was Ann Franklin, whose father, Thomas Franklin, was an important official in the City of London.
Skinner had only one son, also named Augustine, who was born in 1618. However, his son lived for less than a year. Because of this, his brother, William, became his heir.
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