James Rooke (British Army general)

For his son the British Army colonel, see James Rooke (British Army officer, born 1770).

James Rooke (c. 28 November 1742 – 4 October 1805) was an English general in the British Army and a politician.[1]

Early life

He 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

Rooke 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

Rooke 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

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "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.
Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Monmouthshire
1785 – 1800
With: John Morgan to 1792
Robert Salusbury 1792–96
Charles Gould Morgan from 1796 		Succeeded by
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Parliament of Great Britain
 Member of Parliament for Monmouthshire
1801 – 1805
With: Charles Gould Morgan 		Succeeded by
Military offices
Preceded by Colonel of the 38th (1st Staffordshire) Regiment of Foot
1796–1805 		Succeeded by


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