Roger Mompesson

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

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 – 14 February 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 29 November 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

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

External links

• The History of Parliament, MOMPESSON, Roger (c.1661-1715), of Lincoln’s Inn, London and Durnford, Dorset