Sir John Rous, 2nd Baronet facts for kids

Sir John Rous, 2nd Baronet (born around 1656 – died April 8, 1730) was an English politician from Henham, Suffolk. He was a member of the Tory party.

Early Life and Family

Sir John Rous was the son of Sir John Rous, 1st Baronet and his second wife, Elizabeth Knyvett. He went to college at St Catharine's College, Cambridge. In 1670, when his father passed away, John Rous inherited his father's special title, called a baronetcy.

Political Career and Public Service

Sir John Rous held several important roles in his home county of Suffolk. In 1676, he became a Deputy Lieutenant, which meant he helped the main leader of the county. Two years later, in 1678, he was chosen as the High Sheriff of Suffolk. This was a very important job, like being the chief law enforcement officer for the county.

In 1680, he became a colonel, leading a group of horse soldiers in the local army, called the county militia. From 1680 to 1688, he also worked as a justice of the peace for Suffolk. This role involved helping to keep law and order.

Serving in Parliament

In 1685, Sir John Rous was elected to the Parliament of England. He represented the area of Eye as a member of the Tory party.

Challenges and Changes

Sir John Rous faced some challenges in his political life. In 1688, he disagreed with King James II of England's rules about religion. Because of this, he was removed from his positions as Deputy Lieutenant and justice of the peace.

Even though he disagreed with the King, when the Glorious Revolution happened, Rous voted that King James had not left his throne. In 1689, he was elected to Parliament again, this time representing all of Suffolk. He also got his job back as a justice of the peace. However, he was not re-elected in the 1690 election.

Later, in 1694, people thought Sir John Rous might be a Jacobite. Jacobites were people who supported the old royal family, the Stuarts, who had lost the throne. Because of these suspicions, he was removed from his role as a magistrate. In 1721, his name was even sent to James Francis Edward Stuart, who was the son of King James II, as someone who might support the Jacobite cause.

Sir John Rous passed away in 1730.