Sir Francis Russell, 2nd Baronet, of Chippenham facts for kids
Sir Francis Russell, 2nd Baronet (born around 1616, died 1664) was an important person in English history. He was a Member of Parliament, which means he helped make laws for the country. He was also a soldier who fought for the Parliament's side, known as the Roundheads, during the English Civil War. After the war, during a time called the Interregnum when England didn't have a king, he held several important jobs, including being part of Cromwell's House of Lords.
A Life in Politics and War
Francis Russell was the son of Sir William Russell. He became a Member of Parliament for Cambridgeshire in a very long-lasting Parliament called the Long Parliament. When King Charles I and the Parliament disagreed, Francis Russell chose to support Parliament.
Because of his help, Parliament made him a deputy-lieutenant for Cambridge on August 20, 1642. This meant he helped keep order in the county. He worked with famous figures like Oliver Cromwell to stop valuable silver from being moved from Cambridge to York.
When the English Civil War began, Parliament made Russell a colonel, which is a high-ranking military leader. He was put in charge of several important places. He became the governor of the isle of Ely and later the city of Lichfield. However, in 1643, he had to give up Lichfield to Prince Rupert, who was fighting for the King. After that, he was made governor of the islands of Jersey and Guernsey.
During the time Oliver Cromwell ruled England as 'Lord Protector', Francis Russell became even more important. This was partly because his daughter, Elizabeth, married Cromwell's son, Henry Cromwell. Cromwell trusted Russell with many jobs. Russell was again elected as a Member of Parliament for Cambridgeshire in 1654 and 1656. Cromwell also chose him to be a member of his special group of advisors, Cromwell's House of Lords.
Sir Francis became the 2nd Baronet after his father passed away in 1654. He lived through the time when the king returned to England, known as the Restoration. He was buried in Chippenham on April 30, 1664.
His Family
Sir Francis Russell married Catherine Wheatley in Chippenham on December 19, 1631. Catherine was the only child of John Wheatley. Francis and Catherine had a large family with seven sons and seven daughters:
- Sir John Russell, 3rd Baronet
- William Russell, born in 1635. He likely died when he was young.
- Robert Russell, born in 1644. He lived in Feckenham and Mildenhall. He married a widow whose father was a captain in King Charles I's army.
- Gerard Russell, born in 1646. He was a merchant in Hamburg and married the daughter of another merchant there.
- Killephet Russell, born in 1647 and died young in 1650.
- Killephet Russell, born in 1652. He lived in Mildenhall. His son, Francis, died as a baby in 1680.
- Edward Russell, born in 1653.
- Elizabeth Russell, who married Henry Cromwell. Henry was the son of Oliver Cromwell and was the lord-lieutenant of Ireland.
- Sarah Russell, born in 1636, died as a baby.
- Sarah Russell, born in 1637, also died as a baby.
- Sarah Russell, born in 1638. She first married John Reynolds, a famous officer who served Parliament. After he died, she married Henry, Earl of Thomond, and they had several children.
- Frances Russell, born in 1648. She married John Hagar.
- Ann Russell, born in 1650. She married Hugh Underwood.
- Catherine Russell, born in 1651. She is thought to have married a man named Sheers.
