, a learned judge, and author of a book of reports, was the son
, a learned judge, and author of a
book of reports, was the son of Richard Owen, esq. of
Condover, in Shropshire, and educated in Oxford, but in
what college seems doubtful. Having taken a degree in
arts, he left the university, and repairing to Lincoln’s Inn,
London, studied law, and became an eminent counsellor.
In 1583 he was elected Lent-reader of that society. In
1590 he was made serjeant at law, and- queen’s serjeant
soon after. He arrived at length at the dignity of judge of
the common pleas, which office he is said to have executed
during five years with great abilities and integrity. He
died in December 1598, and was buried on the south side
of the choir in Westminster abbey, where a monument was
erected to his memory. He had the reputation of a learned
man, and a patron of learning. His “Reports in the
King’s Bench and Common Pleas, in the reign of queen
Elizabeth, and some few cases in the time of king James,
”
(which last could not have been his) were printed in folio,
in 1656. Though there is a vacancy in the pages of this
volume from 77 to 80 inclusive, the book is perfect.
, a learned judge, was born in Moorfields, May 16, 1675, and, as
, a learned judge, was born in Moorfields, May 16, 1675, and, as the anonymous author of his life says, was baptised by the name of Thomas son of Thomas Pengelly; but others have supposed that he was a natural son of Richard Cromwell the protector, For this supposition we find no other foundation than that Cromwell, who lived very privately in the neighbourhood, had known Mr. Pengelly from his youth, afterwards kept up a friendship with him, and died at his seat at Cheshunt, in August 1712. Mr. Pengelly was brought up to the bar, and becoming eminent in his profession, was made a serjeant May 6, 1710; knighted May 1, 1719, and in June following appointed his majesty’s prime Serjeant at law, on the decease of sir Thomas Powis. He sat as member for Cockermouth, in Cumberland, in the parliaments called in 1714 and 1722. He was made chief baron of the exchequer Oct. 16, 1726, on the death of sir Jeffery Gilbert; and his conduct on the bench corresponded with the high reputation he had acquired at the bar. He died of an infectious fever, caught at Taunton assizes, April 14, 1730. He excelled in profound learning, spirit, justice, and generosity, and dared to offend the most powerful, if he thought their conduct reprehensible. He was a florid, yet convincing orator, an excellent judge, a pious Christian, and an accomplished, sprightly companion. By a humane codicil in his will, dated in 1729, he left a considerable part of his fortune to procure the discharge of persons confined for debt, which was accordingly done by his executor Mr. Webb. There is a copy of this will published in his life, but the name of his residuary legatee is for some reason omitted. The anonymous history of Oliver Cromwell, first printed in 1724, has been supposed to have been written by him, but this is doubtful. It has been also attributed to Dr. Gibson, bishop of London.
e. 7'his very interesting and instructive work is the well-known, although not avowed, production of a learned judge, who bus ably proved “how much every man has it
Mr. Stevens died Feb. 6, 1807, at his house in Broadstreet,;nd was interred in Oiharn church-yard in the
county of Kent. Otham wa* not the place of his nativity,
yet, from being the parish of his maternal relations, he had
always regarded it as his home; and in that church-yard
he expressed his desire to be buried. Indeed to the
church of Otham he had, during his life-time, been a
great benefactor, having laid out about 600l. in repairing
and adorning it. An epitaph has since been placed on a
marble tablet, containing a just summary of his excellent
character. For a more minute detail of it, and particularly
of his extensive -charities, both as ari individual, and as
treasurer of queen Anne’s bounty, which office he held
many years, and it afforded to him a wide scope for benevolent exertion for many admirable traits of temper and
proofs of talent, and for an example of integrity, private
virtues, and public usefulness, rarely to be met with, we
must refer to the “Memoirs of William Stevens, esq.
”
printed for private distribution in how much every man has
it in his power, even under very discouraging circumstances, by diligence, fidelity, and attention, to advance
himself, not only in worldly prosperity, but in learning and
wisdom, in purity of life, and in moral and religious knowledge,
” and that “a life of the strictest piety and devotion
to God, and of the warmest and most extensive benevolence to our fellow men, is strictly compatible with the
utmost cheerfulness of disposition, with all rational pleasures, and with all the gaiety, which young persons naturally feel.
”
, a learned judge, was born, as Wood thinks, at or near Plympton
, a learned judge, was born, as Wood
thinks, at or near Plympton in Devonshire in 1644, and was
admitted a commoner of Exeter college, Oxford, in 1660.
After studying some time here, he left college without
taking a degree, as, we have repeatedly had occasion te
observe, was usual with young gentlemen intended for the
law; and went to the Inner Temple. After being admitted
to the bar, he had much practice, and was accounted a
good common lawyer. In 1678 and 1679, he sat in parliament as representative for Plympton, and in the lastmentioned year was appointed chairman of the committee
of secrecy for the investigation of the popish plot, and was
in 1680 one of the managers in the impeachment of lord
Stafford. In December of the same year, when sir George
Jeffries was dismissed from the recordership of London, Mr.
Treby was elected in his room, and in January 1681 the
king conferred on him the honour of knighthood: but when
the quo warranto issued, and the city charter, for which he
pleaded along with Pollexfen, was withheld, he was deprived of the recordership in Oct. 1685. On the revolution, king William restored him to this office, and he had
the honour of addressing his majesty, in the absence of the
lord mayor, sir John Chapman, who was confined by sickness. His very able speech on this occasion was published
in the “Fourth collection of papers relating to the present
juncture of affairs in England,
” History of the Desertion,
”