Kenrick Clayton facts for kids
Sir Kenrick Clayton, 2nd Baronet (born around 1713 – died 10 March 1769) was an important English politician. He lived at Marden Park in Surrey. Sir Kenrick was a member of the House of Commons of Great Britain, which is like a part of today's Parliament. He served there for many years, from 1734 until he died in 1769.
Early Life and Family
Kenrick Clayton was the oldest son of Sir William Clayton, 1st Baronet. His mother was Martha Kenrick. Her father, John Kenrick, was a successful merchant in London.
Kenrick went to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge in 1732. He later married Henrietta Maria Herring in 1736. Henrietta's father, Henry Herring, was a director at the Bank of England.
A Family's Political Power
Sir Kenrick's family had a lot of political influence. His father had inherited a large estate called the manor of Bletchingley. This estate was in a place called a "rotten borough."
A rotten borough was a very small town or area. Even though it had few voters, it could still send two members to Parliament. This meant that the person who owned the land in a rotten borough often controlled who became a Member of Parliament (MP).
The Clayton family controlled both MP seats for Bletchingley. This gave them a lot of power in politics.
Serving in Parliament
Sir Kenrick Clayton first became an MP for Bletchingley in 1734. He served alongside his father. He was re-elected in 1741.
When his father died in 1744, Kenrick became the 2nd Baronet. He also took over the family's control of the MP seats in Bletchingley. He gained control of another area called Great Marlow too.
He was re-elected in 1747 and 1754, serving with his brother, William. Later, in 1768, he served with his own son, Robert.
Sir Kenrick Clayton died on 10 March 1769. He had one son and two daughters. His son, Robert, became the 3rd Baronet. However, Robert did not have any children. After Robert's death, the baronetcy passed to Sir Kenrick's nephew, William.
