William Selwyn (British Army officer)

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William Selwyn
Governor of Jamaica
In office
January 1702 – 6 April 1702
Personal details
Born 1655
Died April 1702 (aged 46–47)
Jamaica
Spouse(s) Albinia Wray

Major General William Selwyn (1655 – 6 April 1702) was an officer in the British Army, MP and briefly Governor of Jamaica.

Early life

He was the 5th and eldest surviving son of William Selwyn of Matson, Gloucestershire and Margaret, the daughter of Edward Nourse of Gloucester and was educated at Oriel College, Oxford, matriculating on 11 April 1674.[1]

Military career

Selwyn served in the Army of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, in the time of King Charles II. He served at the head of his regiment at the Battle of Landen on 29 July 1693, distinguishing himself under the eye of the King William III. He then took part at the siege of Namur in the summer of 1695 and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General during the siege.[2]

He became Mayor of Gloucester in 1675.[3] He inherited Matson House in Matson, Gloucester in 1679[4] on the death of his father.

He was elected MP for Gloucester in 1698, sitting until 1701. Although he was naturally a Whig, being from the Gloucester countryside, Selwyn was on duty at the execution[5] of William, Lord Russell, the leader of the Country Party.

Selwyn was appointed Governor of Jamaica in January, 1702, but died there on 6 April 1702. His body was transported back to England to be buried at Matson. He had married Albinia, daughter of Richard Betensen and Albinia, daughter of Christopher Wray on 26 May 1681 at Westminster Abbey with whom he had 4 sons and 3 daughters. Their eldest son John and a younger son Charles both became MPs.

References

  1. Oxford University Alumni, 1500-1886 Record for William Selwyn
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Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Gloucester
1675
Succeeded by
William Russel
Parliament of England
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Gloucester
1698–1701
With: Sir William Rich 1698–1701
John Bridgeman
Succeeded by
Viscount Dursley
John Hanbury
Military offices
Preceded by
Unknown
Captain and Lieutenant Colonel in the Second Foot Guards
1688
Succeeded by
Unknown
Preceded by Governor of Gravesend and Tilbury
1690–1702
Succeeded by
Hon. George Cholmondeley
Preceded by Colonel of the Queen Dowager's Regiment of Foot
1691–1701
Succeeded by
Sir Henry Bellasis
Preceded by Colonel of 22nd Regiment of Foot
1701–1702
Succeeded by
Thomas Handasyde
Preceded by Governor of Jamaica
1702
Succeeded by
Peter Beckford