Thomas Pengelly (judge) facts for kids
Sir Thomas Pengelly (born May 16, 1675 – died April 14, 1730) was a British lawyer and judge. He also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Cockermouth from 1722 to 1727. Later, he became a top judge called the Lord Justice of Appeal in 1726.
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Early Life and Family
Thomas Pengelly was born and baptized on May 16, 1675. His father, also named Thomas Pengelly, was a successful merchant in London. His mother was Rachel Baines.
Around 1683, the Pengelly family lived in Hereford. Their home was a place where Richard Cromwell stayed. Richard Cromwell had once led England when there was no king. He stayed with the family after the king returned to power. When Thomas Pengelly Senior died in 1696, Cromwell continued to live with Mrs. Pengelly. They moved together to her property in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, in 1700. Cromwell stayed there until he died in 1712. Because of this, some people wondered if the younger Thomas Pengelly was Richard Cromwell's son.
Becoming a Lawyer and Politician
In 1691, at age 16, Thomas Pengelly started working as a trainee in a law office in London. He joined a special school for lawyers called the Inner Temple in 1692. On November 24, 1700, he became a qualified lawyer. By 1710, he was made a Serjeant-at-law, which was a very senior lawyer.
By 1720, he was known as one of the best lawyers working in the main law courts at Westminster Hall. He was especially good at Corporate law, which deals with laws about businesses. From 1717, Pengelly became the main lawyer for the Duke of Somerset. In the 1720s, he also advised the Duchess of Marlborough. She needed his help with court cases about the Blenheim estate. She had inherited this estate from her father, the first Duke of Marlborough.
On May 1, 1719, King George I gave Pengelly a special title, making him a knight. He was also appointed the King's main lawyer, called Prime Serjeant. In this role, he was involved in a major court case in early 1722. This case was about Christopher Layer, who was accused of plotting against the king.
Time in Parliament
Pengelly was chosen again as the Member of Parliament for Cockermouth in 1722. During his five years in Parliament, he worked on many legal issues. He helped investigate the leaders of the South Sea Company. This company had caused a huge financial crash.
In 1725, he was involved in a process to remove the top judge, Lord Macclesfield. Lord Macclesfield had taken money to give out jobs. Then, to get his money back, he invested and lost his clients' money in the South Sea crash. Pengelly also helped remove John Ward from the House of Commons in 1726. Pengelly had shown that Ward had cheated the Duke of Buckingham.
On October 16, 1726, Thomas Pengelly was appointed a very important judge, the Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer. Because of this new job, he had to leave his seat in Parliament.
Later Life and Legacy
Sir Thomas Pengelly never married and had no children. He died in Blandford, Dorset, on April 14, 1730. He was buried in the Temple Church on April 29. In his will, he left £2890. This money was used to help poor prisoners get out of jail in the western part of England and in London.
