Hezekiah Haynes facts for kids

Hezekiah Haynes (who died in 1693) was an important figure during a time of big changes in England. He supported the Parliament's side in the English Civil War. He became a major in the army. After the war, during a period called the Interregnum, he worked in government. His old commander, General Charles Fleetwood, helped him get these jobs. Later, after the king returned during the Restoration, Hezekiah was put in prison for about 18 months. After he was released, he went to live quietly at his family home, Copford Hall, in Essex.

Hezekiah Haynes's Life Story

Hezekiah Haynes joined the Parliament's side when the English Civil War began. He started as a captain in Colonel Holborne's army group. Later, he moved to Charles Fleetwood's cavalry (horseback soldiers) group. By 1645, he had become a major.

Hezekiah fought in important battles. He was at the Battle of Preston in 1648. He led his group at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650. He might also have fought at the Battle of Worcester. This was the very last battle of the Civil War.

Working for the Government

After the war, during the Interregnum, Hezekiah held several government jobs. These jobs were mostly in his home area of East Anglia. From August 1655 to January 1657, England and Wales were ruled by "Major-Generals." Hezekiah worked as a deputy for Charles Fleetwood. He worked alongside George Fleetwood and William Packer. Each of them helped manage different counties in their region.

After Oliver Cromwell died, Hezekiah Haynes supported a group called the Wallingford House party. This group removed Oliver's son, Richard Cromwell, from power. In 1659, they brought back a short-lived government called the Commonwealth.

Life After the War

In December 1659, just before the king returned, Hezekiah was told to leave London. But he decided to stay. In November 1660, he was arrested. People thought he might be planning to cause trouble. He was held in the Tower of London for 18 months.

He was set free in April 1662. To be released, he had to pay a large sum of money (£5,000) as a promise to behave well. After that, he went back to his family home, Copford Hall. He lived there quietly until he passed away on August 26, 1693.

His Family Life

Hezekiah Haynes was the second son of John Haynes and Mary Thornton. His father owned Copford Hall in Essex. In the early 1650s, Hezekiah married Anne Smithsby. Her father, Thomas Smithsby, used to be the saddler for King Charles I. Hezekiah and Anne had at least one son.

In 1684, Hezekiah gave Copford Hall to his son. He then moved to Coggeshall. Hezekiah Haynes died there in 1693.