Hewitt Poole Jellett facts for kids

Hewitt Poole Jellett (born January 5, 1825 – died March 19, 1911) was an important Irish lawyer and judge. He is well-known because he held a special legal job called Serjeant-at-law for over 20 years. He kept this job until he passed away at 86 years old.

Early Life and Education

Hewitt Poole Jellett was born in a place called Tullycorbet in County Monaghan, Ireland. His father, Morgan Jellett, was a rector, which is a type of church leader. His mother was Harriette Townsend Poole. Hewitt also had an older brother named John Hewitt Jellett, who later became the head of Trinity College, Dublin.

Hewitt went to school in Edgeworthstown. When he was just 15 years old, in 1840, he started studying at Trinity College, Dublin. He finished his degree in 1846.

Becoming a Lawyer

After college, Hewitt decided to become a lawyer. In 1847, he was officially allowed to practice law, which is called being "called to the Bar". Later, in 1864, he became a more senior lawyer, a step known as "taking silk".

From 1865 to 1877, he worked as the Chairman of the Quarter Sessions for Queen's County (now called County Laois). This job involved overseeing local court cases. After that, he went back to working as a private lawyer. In 1875, he became a "Bencher" at the King's Inns, which is a special group for senior lawyers. You can still see his portrait hanging there today!

A Long Career as Serjeant

In 1888, Hewitt Poole Jellett was given the important title of Third Serjeant. A Serjeant-at-law was a very senior lawyer who advised the government and worked in the highest courts. He became the Second Serjeant in 1892.

It was quite unusual, but he stayed as the Second Serjeant until he died at 86. Even though he stopped actively practicing law around 1899, he kept his title. People thought of him as an "honorary" serjeant in his later years. When the top Serjeant job became open in 1907, Hewitt was 82, so he wasn't considered for the promotion.

Family Life and Passing

Hewitt Poole Jellett married Josephine Barrington. Her father was Sir Matthew Barrington, who is remembered for starting Barrington's Hospital in Limerick. Josephine's mother was Charlotte Hartigan, whose father, William Hartigan, was a famous surgeon. Hewitt and Josephine had two sons.

Hewitt Poole Jellett passed away in March 1911 from pneumonia. He was at his home in Dublin. Even though he had retired from active law practice, newspapers at the time wrote that his death was a big loss to the legal world.

Images for kids

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  Dr William Hartigan, grandfather of Jellett's wife, Josephine Barrington