Henry Trelawny

Who was Henry Trelawny?

Brigadier-General Henry Trelawny was a British Army officer of Cornish descent, the seventh and youngest son of Sir Jonathan Trelawny, 2nd Baronet and Mary Seymour.

From 1678 to 1681, he was a lieutenant of foot in the Admiral's Regiment. He then obtained a captain's commission in the 2nd Tangier Regiment, commanded by his brother Charles. Made a freeman of Portsmouth in 1683 and East Looe in 1685, he was returned to Parliament in the latter year for West Looe as a Tory on the interest of his eldest brother, Bishop Trelawny. In 1687, he was appointed to the commission of the peace for Cornwall.

During the Glorious Revolution, Charles, with a number of officers and men, including Henry, went over to William of Orange. Both Charles and Henry were returned to the Convention Parliament for East Looe, sitting as Tories. Both served as commissioners for assessment in Cornwall and Devon from 1689 to 1690.

On 8 January 1690, Trelawny married Rebecca Hals, the daughter and coheiress of Matthew Hals of Eggbuckland, Devon. By Rebecca he had two sons and three daughters:

Sir Harry Trelawny, 5th Baronet, an aide-de-camp to the Duke of Marlborough and Member of Parliament