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Roger Mompesson

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Roger Mompesson
Member of Parliament
for Southampton
In office
27 December 1699 – November 1701
Preceded byBenjamin Newland
Succeeded byAdam 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 byJohn Bridges
Succeeded byLewis Morris
Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court
In office
October 1704 – April 1709
Preceded byOffice created
Succeeded byThomas Gordon
In office
August 1709 – 14 February 1710
Preceded byThomas Gordon
Succeeded byDavid Jamison
Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court
In office
April 1706 – 1706
Preceded byJohn Guest
Succeeded byDavid Lloyd
Member of the New Jersey Provincial Council for the Eastern Division
In office
29 November 1705 – 1715
Member of the New York Provincial Council
In office
1705–1715
Personal details
Bornc. 1661
Durnford, Langton Matravers, Dorset, England
Died1715
SpouseMartha Pinhorne
ChildrenPinhorne Mompesson
Alma materMagdalen Hall, Oxford
ProfessionLawyer

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

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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 14 February 1710. In February 1705 he was sworn of the New York Provincial Council, and on 29 November 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.[citation needed]

References

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  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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