James Rooke (c. 28 November 1742 – 4 October 1805) was an English general in the British Army and a politician.[1]
Early life
editHe was the only son of Major James Rooke and his wife, Jane, daughter and heiress of Tracy Catchmay of Bigsweir House, Monmouthshire.[1] He inherited large estates in Monmouthshire from his mother.[2]
Career
editRooke joined the army in 1759, and by 1779 was a Lieutenant-Colonel of the 14th Foot. He was promoted colonel in 1780, major-general in 1787 and served as colonel commandant of the 4th Battalion, 60th (Royal American) Regiment of Foot from 1788 to 1796.[3]
In 1796 he was given the colonelcy of the 38th (1st Staffordshire) Regiment of Foot for life and promoted to full General in 1802.[3][4]
He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Monmouthshire from 1785 until his death.[3]
Personal life and death
editRooke married Elizabeth Brown of St Briavels on 3 September 1776.[5]
Rooke died at age 63 and was buried in St Briavels, Gloucestershire in 1805.
References
edit- ^ a b "ROOKE, James (c.1742-1805), of Bigsweir House, Mon". History of Parliament Online. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Will of James Rooke, General in His Majesty's Army of Bigsweare, Gloucestershire". Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series: Pitts Quire Numbers: 489-542, ID: PROB 11/1445/176. The National Archives.
- ^ a b c Brooke, John (1964). L. Namier; J. Brooke (eds.). "ROOKE, James (c.1740-1805), of Ifton and Bigsweir House, Mon". The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1754-1790. Boydell and Brewer. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ^ Mills, T. F. (4 June 2006). "38th (1st Staffordshire) Regiment of Foot". Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth. Archived from the original on 21 June 2006.
- ^ "Marriage licence allegation for James Rooke, of St Briavels, bachelor, aged 29, and Elizabeth Brown of St Briavels, spinster, aged 22, 3 September 1776, 1776". Diocese of Gloucester, 1541-2022, Series: Marriage Licence Allegations; (Single), 1747-1971, ID: GDR/Q2/29/entry number 139. Gloucestershire Heritage Hub.
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