James Kendall (politician) facts for kids

James Kendall (born June 17, 1647 – died July 10, 1708) was an important English Army officer and politician. He lived in Birdcage Walk, Westminster, and Carshalton, Surrey. Kendall served in the English and later British Parliament from 1685 until he died in 1708. He also held the important position of Governor of Barbados from 1689 to 1693.

Early Life and Army Days

James Kendall was born on June 17, 1647. He was the third son of Thomas Kendall from Lostwithiel, Cornwall, and Elizabeth Arscott. He studied law at Middle Temple and Lincoln's Inn starting in 1666.

Kendall decided to join the army. In 1675, he became a cornet in the Royal Horse Guards. A cornet was a junior officer who carried the troop's flag. Later, from 1678 to 1679, he was a lieutenant colonel in Lord Morpeth's regiment. From 1680 to 1687, he served as a captain in the famous Coldstream Guards.

Political Career and Governor of Barbados

James Kendall started his political career as a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is a person elected to represent a group of people in the country's main law-making body, the Parliament. He was first elected for West Looe in 1685. At this time, he was part of the Tory political group.

In 1689, Kendall was chosen to be the Governor of Barbados. This was a very important job, as he was in charge of the entire island, which was a British colony at the time. He served as governor until 1693. After that, he was a member of the council in Barbados from 1694 to 1695.

Returning to Parliament

After his time in Barbados, Kendall came back to England. He was elected as an MP for West Looe again in 1695. His niece, Mary Kendall, helped him get elected. From 1696 to 1699, he held another important role as a Lord of the Admiralty. This meant he helped manage the Royal Navy.

He was re-elected as an MP for West Looe in 1698 and again in 1701. However, he had a disagreement with his niece, Mary Kendall, and was not elected in 1702.

In 1705, Kendall tried to become an MP for Lostwithiel. He was supported by his relative, Canon Nicholas Kendall. Although he lost the first vote, he challenged the result and was officially made the MP for Lostwithiel in January 1706. By this time, he was known as a Whig, which was another major political group. He was elected for Lostwithiel again in 1708.

Later Life and Legacy

James Kendall passed away on July 10, 1708, in Carshalton. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, a very famous church in London where many important people are laid to rest. People at the time said he was very "rich" when he died.

His family was from Cornwall, and they were related to the Kendalls of Pelyn, near Lostwithiel. This family had been very active in politics in Cornwall and England for many years. In 1866, a historian named Evelyn Shirley suggested that the Kendall family might have sent more members to the British Parliament than almost any other family in the United Kingdom.