Henry Rosewell
Encyclopedia
Sir Henry Rosewell of Forde Abbey, Devon, was a puritan and supporter of the New World colonies.
in Devon (Forde Abbey is in the parish of Thorncombe
which was transferred from Devon to Dorset in 1842). Henry was the only son of William Rosewell (1561–1593) and Ann Walkeden who were married at St Martins, London on 20 June 1588. William Rosewell had purchased Forde Abbey from Sir Amias Poulet
about 1581.
Henry was less than three years old when his father died and his mother, Anne, then married John Davis (later Sir John Davis of Bere Court
, Berkshire). Henry was initially the ward of Matthew Dale (Grand Uncle or cousin) but John Davis purchased the ward ship in late 1593.
Henry Rosewell matriculated from Broadgates Hall
, Oxford in 1606/07 and later that year was a student of the Middle Temple
. He was knighted by James I on 19 February 1618/19 at Theobalds
in Hertfordshire.
(c. 1535-1566) who was Solicitor-General to Queen Elizabeth 1559-1566 and owned a number of estates in Somerset and Devon.
, Devon) and Dorothy Burton. Dame Mary Drake died and was buried in Musbury Church in 1643. Henry remarried Dorothy Brown (a widow). He had no known children by either wife.
, Somerset
and on 30 December 1619, John Conant, of East Budleigh
was admitted as Rector. John Conant was the brother of Roger Conant, the first governor of the colony in Massachusetts Bay, and it is possible that Henry Rosewell had a personal acquaintance with him, as Roger signed the bond concerning the first fruits of this living. John Conant was the uncle of Rev. John Conant
D.D., Fellow of Exeter College
, Oxford.
Henry Rosewell was a supporter of the movement to establish a colony in the New World. The Dorchester Company had succeeded in establishing the settlement at Cape Ann, in Massachusetts, but had ceased to exist in 1625. A new company, formed partly of members of the first company, obtained, about 1627, a grant from the Council for New England. The grant was confirmed and a Royal Charter to form the Massachusetts Bay Company was given on 4 March 1629. Sir Henry Rosewell’s name appears first on the list of grantees and he may have been a director or governor (perhaps in name only). Sir Henry had family connections with those involved in both the Dorchester and Massachusetts Bay companies but it is doubtful whether he took an active part in either venture.
He was High Sheriff of Devon
in 1629 and Justice of the Peace (listed 1630, 1647 and 1653).
He was evidently a Puritan and was brought before the Court of High Commission in 1634 for holding a private chapel at Forde Abbey.
He was the subject of a series of Chancery suits over the estate of Sir John Drake, his brother-in-law, from 1641 until his death and subsequently left as a legacy to his widow. Sir Henry appears to have been made the scapegoat by the other executors of Sir John Drake's will. Dame Dorothy Rosewell was finally ordered by act of Parliament on 3 March 1663 to sell the manor of Limington to Francis Summers and James Tazewell. James Tazewell was the grandfather of William Tazewell, who emigrated to Virginia in 1715, and ancestor of Henry Tazewell
.
It has been suggested that Henry Rosewell was the model for the main character of Hudibras
, a mock heroic narrative poem from the 17th century written by Samuel Butler
. However, Isaac D'Israeli
refutes this in his 'Curiosities of Literature'.
He sold Forde Abbey in 1649 to Edmund Prideaux
and, at least until 1653, Sir Henry had his residence at Limington, Somerset.
, Devon and was buried in the churchyard of Brixham
, Devon on 3 April 1656. Probate was granted to Dame Dorothy Rosewell 15 May 1656.
Early years and education
Henry Rosewell was born on 1 November 1590 at Forde AbbeyForde Abbey
Forde Abbey is a privately owned former Cistercian monastery in Dorset, England. The house and gardens are run as a tourist attraction while the estate is farmed to provide additional revenue...
in Devon (Forde Abbey is in the parish of Thorncombe
Thorncombe
Thorncombe is a village and civil parish in west Dorset, England, situated on the borders of Somerset and Devon, five miles south east of Chard. The civil parish has a population of 714 , and 8.4% of dwellings are second homes.-Geography:...
which was transferred from Devon to Dorset in 1842). Henry was the only son of William Rosewell (1561–1593) and Ann Walkeden who were married at St Martins, London on 20 June 1588. William Rosewell had purchased Forde Abbey from Sir Amias Poulet
Amias Paulet
Sir Amias Paulet was an English diplomat, Governor of Jersey, and the gaoler for a period of Mary, Queen of Scots.-Life:...
about 1581.
Henry was less than three years old when his father died and his mother, Anne, then married John Davis (later Sir John Davis of Bere Court
Pangbourne
Pangbourne is a large village and civil parish on the River Thames in the English county of Berkshire. Pangbourne is the home of the independent school, Pangbourne College.-Location:...
, Berkshire). Henry was initially the ward of Matthew Dale (Grand Uncle or cousin) but John Davis purchased the ward ship in late 1593.
Henry Rosewell matriculated from Broadgates Hall
Pembroke College, Oxford
Pembroke College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England, located in Pembroke Square. As of 2009, Pembroke had an estimated financial endowment of £44.9 million.-History:...
, Oxford in 1606/07 and later that year was a student of the Middle Temple
Middle Temple
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, commonly known as Middle Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call their members to the English Bar as barristers; the others being the Inner Temple, Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn...
. He was knighted by James I on 19 February 1618/19 at Theobalds
Theobalds House
Theobalds House , located in Theobalds Park, just outside Cheshunt in the English county of Hertfordshire, was a prominent stately home and royal palace of the 16th and early 17th centuries.- Early history :...
in Hertfordshire.
Relations
Henry’s grandfather was William RosewellWilliam Rosewell
William Rosewell was the Solicitor-General to Queen Elizabeth between 1559 and 1566.William Rosewell was born about 1520, the son of William Rosewell of Loxton, Somerset, England. He came to some prominence as Solicitor-General to Queen Elizabeth. He appears in the list of Queen’s Counsel between...
(c. 1535-1566) who was Solicitor-General to Queen Elizabeth 1559-1566 and owned a number of estates in Somerset and Devon.
Marriages
About the time he received his knighthood, Henry Rosewell married Mary Drake (1594–1643) the daughter of John Drake (of MusburyMusbury
Musbury is a village and civil parish in the East Devon district of Devon, England. It lies approximately 2 miles away from Colyton and 2.5 miles away from Axminster, the nearest towns. Musbury is served by the A358 road and lies on the route of the East Devon Way, a 40-mile footpath following the...
, Devon) and Dorothy Burton. Dame Mary Drake died and was buried in Musbury Church in 1643. Henry remarried Dorothy Brown (a widow). He had no known children by either wife.
Activities
Henry Rosewell was patron of the living of LimingtonLimington
Limington is a village and parish in Somerset, England, situated north of Yeovil in the South Somerset district. The village has a population of 199...
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
and on 30 December 1619, John Conant, of East Budleigh
East Budleigh
East Budleigh is a small village in East Devon, England. The villages of Yettington, Colaton Raleigh, and Otterton lie to the west, north and east of East Budleigh, with the seaside town of Budleigh Salterton about two miles south...
was admitted as Rector. John Conant was the brother of Roger Conant, the first governor of the colony in Massachusetts Bay, and it is possible that Henry Rosewell had a personal acquaintance with him, as Roger signed the bond concerning the first fruits of this living. John Conant was the uncle of Rev. John Conant
John Conant
Rev. John Conant D.D. was an English clergyman, theologian, and Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University.-Life:John Conant was born at Yettington, Bicton, in southeast Devon, England, the eldest son of Robert Conant, son of Richard Conant and his wife, Elizabeth Morris...
D.D., Fellow of Exeter College
Exeter College, Oxford
Exeter College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England and the fourth oldest college of the University. The main entrance is on the east side of Turl Street...
, Oxford.
Henry Rosewell was a supporter of the movement to establish a colony in the New World. The Dorchester Company had succeeded in establishing the settlement at Cape Ann, in Massachusetts, but had ceased to exist in 1625. A new company, formed partly of members of the first company, obtained, about 1627, a grant from the Council for New England. The grant was confirmed and a Royal Charter to form the Massachusetts Bay Company was given on 4 March 1629. Sir Henry Rosewell’s name appears first on the list of grantees and he may have been a director or governor (perhaps in name only). Sir Henry had family connections with those involved in both the Dorchester and Massachusetts Bay companies but it is doubtful whether he took an active part in either venture.
He was High Sheriff of Devon
High Sheriff of Devon
The High Sheriff of Devon is the Queen's representative for the County of Devon, a territory known as his bailiwick. Selected from three nominated people, he holds his office over the duration of a year. He has judicial, ceremonial and administrative functions and executes High Court...
in 1629 and Justice of the Peace (listed 1630, 1647 and 1653).
He was evidently a Puritan and was brought before the Court of High Commission in 1634 for holding a private chapel at Forde Abbey.
He was the subject of a series of Chancery suits over the estate of Sir John Drake, his brother-in-law, from 1641 until his death and subsequently left as a legacy to his widow. Sir Henry appears to have been made the scapegoat by the other executors of Sir John Drake's will. Dame Dorothy Rosewell was finally ordered by act of Parliament on 3 March 1663 to sell the manor of Limington to Francis Summers and James Tazewell. James Tazewell was the grandfather of William Tazewell, who emigrated to Virginia in 1715, and ancestor of Henry Tazewell
Henry Tazewell
Henry Tazewell was an American politician who was instrumental in the early government of the U.S. state of Virginia. He was born in Brunswick County, Virginia. He served as the President pro tempore of the United States Senate in 1795.He was the father of Littleton Tazewell...
.
It has been suggested that Henry Rosewell was the model for the main character of Hudibras
Hudibras
Hudibras is an English mock heroic narrative poem from the 17th century written by Samuel Butler.-Purpose:The work is a satirical polemic upon Roundheads, Puritans, Presbyterians and many of the other factions involved in the English Civil War...
, a mock heroic narrative poem from the 17th century written by Samuel Butler
Samuel Butler (poet)
Samuel Butler was a poet and satirist. Born in Strensham, Worcestershire and baptised 14 February 1613, he is remembered now chiefly for a long satirical burlesque poem on Puritanism entitled Hudibras.-Biography:...
. However, Isaac D'Israeli
Isaac D'Israeli
Isaac D'Israeli was a British writer, scholar and man of letters. He is best known for his essays, his associations with other men of letters, and for being the father of British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli....
refutes this in his 'Curiosities of Literature'.
He sold Forde Abbey in 1649 to Edmund Prideaux
Edmund Prideaux
Sir Edmund Prideaux was an English lawyer and Member of Parliament, who supported the Parliamentary cause during the English Civil War. He was briefly solicitor-general but chose to resign rather than participate in the regicide of Charles I and was afterwards attorney-general a position he held...
and, at least until 1653, Sir Henry had his residence at Limington, Somerset.
Death
Henry Rosewell made his will 11 August 1653 at Limington by which he left all his property to his 'loving wife, Lady Dorothy Rosewell' and appointed as executrix, Dorothy Browne, daughter of Edward Browne Esquire, who was a minor at the time of Henry's death. Henry Rosewell died at Greenway House, Churston FerrersChurston
Churston Ferrers is a historic civil parish within Torbay, in Devon, England. It contains the two villages of Churston, a coastal village, and the now larger Galmpton. It is situated in between Paignton and Brixham....
, Devon and was buried in the churchyard of Brixham
Brixham
Brixham is a small fishing town and civil parish in the county of Devon, in the south-west of England. Brixham is at the southern end of Torbay, across the bay from Torquay, and is a fishing port. Fishing and tourism are its major industries. At the time of the 2001 census it had a population of...
, Devon on 3 April 1656. Probate was granted to Dame Dorothy Rosewell 15 May 1656.