Robert Blakeney (died 1733) facts for kids
Robert Blakeney (born in 1679 – died on May 1, 1733) was an important Irish politician. He served as a Member of Parliament, which means he was elected to help make laws for Ireland.
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Who Was Robert Blakeney?
Robert Blakeney was born in 1679. He was the son of John Blakeney from a place called Gallogh. Another famous person, William Blakeney, 1st Baron Blakeney, was his second cousin. This means they shared a great-grandparent.
Early Life and Family
Robert Blakeney married a woman named Sarah. Her father, Gilbert Ormsby, was also a Member of Parliament. Robert and Sarah had a big family. They had three sons and four daughters.
A Family of Politicians
Politics seemed to run in the Blakeney family! Robert's son, John Blakeney, also became a Member of Parliament for the town of Athenry. Even some of his grandsons, like Robert, John, Theophilus, and William Blakeney, followed in his footsteps. They all served as Members of Parliament for Athenry too.
His Role in Government
Robert Blakeney held several important jobs in the government. He was chosen to be the High Sheriff of County Galway twice. He served in this role in 1709 and again in 1729.
What is a High Sheriff?
A High Sheriff was a very important official in a county. Their main job was to keep law and order. They were in charge of things like making sure court orders were followed. They also helped with elections and collected taxes. It was a powerful and respected position.
Serving in Parliament
From 1721 until he passed away, Robert Blakeney represented the town of Athenry. He did this in the Irish House of Commons. This was like the main meeting place where elected officials discussed and created laws for Ireland. He worked there until his death in 1733.
