Family and Education

b. c.1627, 3rd s. of Robert Barrell, rector of Boughton Malherbe, by Joan, da. of John Hudson of Egerton. educ. M. Temple 1644, called 1651. m. 1655, Anne (d.1708), da. of Richard Sommer of Clifford’s Inn, London, 4s. 1da.1

Offices Held

Commr. for assessment, Kent 1661-2, 1664-d.; steward of Chancery court, Cinque Ports ?1664-d.; bencher, M. Temple 1669, reader 1674; j.p. Kent 1670-d.; commr. for recusants 1675; recorder, Rochester by 1673-d., Dover 1676-d.; asst. Rochester bridge 1678-d.2

Serjeant-at-law 1675-d.

Biography

Barrell’s father, of Somerset origin, preached a fiery assize sermon in 1642 ‘incensing the county’ against Parliament. He was imprisoned and his livings sequestrated. Barrell himself, a successful lawyer, was granted arms in 1665 and bought property in Kent. Returned for Rochester as a court supporter, he died on 10 Sept. 1679 before the second Exclusion Parliament met. He was buried in the cathedral, leaving his wife and children well provided for. One of his sons sat for Rochester as a Tory in 1701-2.3

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Author: Basil Duke Henning

Notes

• 1. Vis. Kent (Harl. Soc. liv), 9; Kent AO, U145/T90/1; J. Thorpe, Reg. Roff. 710; PCC 63 Drax.
• 2. CSP Dom. 1673, p. 383; J. B. Jones, Annals of Dover, 346; Thorpe, 707; F. F. Smith, Rochester, 260; information from Mr P. F. Cooper, Bridge Clerk, Rochester Bridge Trust.
• 3. A. M. Everitt, Kent and the Great Rebellion, 105; Hasted, Kent, iii. 537; ix. 325; A. G. Matthews, Walker Revised, 210-11; Grantees of Arms (Harl. Soc. lxvi), 16; PCC 55 Bath.