Roger Mompesson

Roger Mompesson
MP
Member of Parliament
for Southampton
In office
27 December 1699  November 1701
Serving with John Smith, Mitford Crowe
Preceded by Benjamin Newland
Succeeded by Adam de Cardonnel
Judge, Vice Admiralty for Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania
In office
April 1703  1704
Judge, Vice Admiralty for Connecticut, New Jersey and New York
In office
April 1703  1715
Chief Justice of the New York Supreme Court
In office
1704–1715
Preceded by John Bridges
Succeeded by Lewis Morris
Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court
In office
October 1704  April 1709
Preceded by Office created
Succeeded by Thomas Gordon
In office
August 1709  February 14, 1710
Preceded by Thomas Gordon
Succeeded by David Jamison
Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court
In office
April 1706  1706
Preceded by John Guest
Succeeded by David Lloyd
Member of the New Jersey Provincial Council for the Eastern Division
In office
November 29, 1705  1715
Member of the New York Provincial Council
In office
1705–1715
Personal details
Born c. 1661
Durnford, Langton Matravers, Dorset, England
Died 1715
Nationality English
Spouse(s) Martha Pinhorne
Children Pinhorne Mompesson
Alma mater Magdalen Hall, Oxford
Profession Lawyer

Roger Mompesson (c. 1661 - 1715) was a Member of Parliament for Southampton who also held many judicial and legislative offices in British North America.

Biography

Born around 1661, Roger Mompesson was the son of George Mompesson and Elizabeth Clavell. He was educated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford, and was a lawyer.[1]

He was appointed Recorder of Southampton in May 1668, and was elected to Parliament in 1669. Mompesson served as MP for Southampton until the election of November 1701, when he lost his seat. He did not stand for election in 1702. In 1703 his recordership was declared void due to neglect.

Mompesson had become involved in engagements to pay some debts incurred by his father; this placed him in an embarrassing situation. In April 1703 he accepted an appointment as Judge of the Vice Admiralty for Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania. As he was appointed Chief Justice of New York in July 1704 he gave up four of the colonies, retaining New York, New Jersey and Connecticut until his death in 1715.

In October 1704 Roger Mompesson was appointed as the first Chief Justice of New Jersey and, with the exception of a few months during the administration of Lord Lovelace, held office until February 14, 1710. In February 1705 he was sworn of the New York Provincial Council, and on November 29, 1705 he was appointed to a seat on the New Jersey Provincial Council representing the Eastern Division; he held seats in both Councils until his death.[2]

In April 1706 he was appointed Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, but no evidence exists that he ever entered upon his duties there.

References

  1. The History of Parliament, MOMPESSON, Roger (c.1661-1715), of Lincoln’s Inn, London and Durnford, Dorset
  2. Documents relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York, Volume V; John Romeyn Brodhead, Esq., Agent; Weed, Parsons and Company, Printers; Albany, New York, 1855; p423


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