Family and Education

Offices Held

Biography

Venables was probably a member of the family of that name which had been settled at Andover, near Stockbridge, since the early 17th century, but details of his parentage and kin have not been ascertained. He unsuccessfully contested Andover in 1689 but was returned for Stockbridge in 1695 on the interest of his uncle, Thomas Jervoise*. Venables was listed as likely to support the Court in the division on the proposed council of trade on 31 Jan. 1696, and he signed the Association promptly. On 24 Mar. he informed Jervoise that ‘most Members . . . do send the Association down to their borough to sign it. Pray give me your opinion whether we should send it down to Stockbridge’. Venables appears to have been absent from the division in March on fixing the price of guineas at 22s., but in November he voted for the attainder of Sir John Fenwick†. On 20 Feb. 1697 he was granted leave of absence for recovery of his health. He did not stand at Stockbridge at the 1698 election, and in September he was included in a comparative analysis of the old and new Commons as a Court supporter who had been ‘left out’. The date of his death has not been discovered.1

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Authors: Paula Watson / Ivar McGrath

Notes

• 1. Berry, Hants Gens. 221; Hants RO, Jervoise mss, James Hooper to Jervosie, 23 Jan., Venables to same, 24 Mar. 1695[–6].