James Jennings (MP) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Jennings
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Memorial to Robert and James Jennings in Shiplake Church
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| Born | baptised 26 June 1670 Shiplake
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| Died | 9 March 1739 (aged 68) |
James Jennings (1670–1739) was an important person from Shiplake, England. He was a landowner, meaning he owned a lot of land and property. He was also a Tory politician, which means he was part of a political group called the Tories. He served in the British House of Commons, which is a big meeting place where elected people help make laws for the country. James Jennings was a Member of Parliament (MP) between 1710 and 1722.
Early Life and Education
James Jennings was born in Shiplake and was baptised on June 26, 1670. Being baptised is a special religious ceremony. He was the oldest son of Robert Jennings and Mary Jennens. His father, Robert, was the headmaster of a school called John Roysse's Free School in Abingdon. This school is now known as Abingdon School.
James Jennings went to the same school where his father was the headmaster. After that, when he was 16, he started studying at Wadham College, Oxford University in 1686. In 1698, he married Frances Constantine. A few years later, in 1704, he took over the family estate in Shiplake after his father passed away.
Political Career
Before becoming a Member of Parliament, James Jennings helped out as the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire from 1694 to 1695. A High Sheriff was a local official responsible for keeping law and order.
In 1710, James Jennings was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Abingdon. He was part of the Tory political group. In 1713, he voted against a bill about trade with France. He did not run for election again that year.
However, James Jennings was elected as an MP for Abingdon again in 1715. He often voted against the government's plans. In the 1722 election, he lost his seat. This happened because the Tory votes were split between him and another candidate in a constituency that only had one seat. He tried to get elected again in 1734 but was not successful.
Later Life
James Jennings passed away on March 9, 1739, when he was 68 years old. He had six sons, but three of them, including his oldest son Henry, died before him. He also had four daughters, and two of them were still alive when he died. He left each of his surviving daughters £4,000, which was a lot of money back then.
See also
- List of Old Abingdonians
