Sir William Pennyman, 1st Baronet

Who is Sir William Pennyman, 1st Baronet?

Sir William Pennyman was an English landowner, soldier and politician.

He was the illegitimate son of William Pennyman a Clerk in Chancery and was educated at Christ Church College, Oxford and Inner Temple. His father purchased a third of the Manor of Marske, Yorkshire, in present day Redcar and Cleveland, in 1616. Pennyman later married Ann Atherton, granddaughter of Katherine Conyers and heiress to the remaining two thirds. He built Marske Hall in 1625. He acquired substantial wealth from alum mining on the Marske estate.

He was a supporter of King Charles I and served as a member of the Council of the North and as an officer of the Star Chamber. He was created a Baronet by Charles on 6 May 1628.

He served as High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1635-1636 and later was Deputy Lieutenant of that county.

In 1638 he raised a Regiment of Foot from the Yorkshire Trained Bands to assist in the war against the Scots. He was Member of Parliament for Richmond 1640-1642 but was barred from sitting in 1642.