PENHELLICK, Alexander (c.1632-c.61), of Helston, Cornw.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1660-1690, ed. B.D. Henning, 1983
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

5 May - 27 June 1660

Family and Education

b. c.1632, 1st s. of Humphrey Penhellick of Helston by Grace Bolithoe. m. Dorcas, 1s. 1da.

Offices Held

Commr. for assessment, Cornw. 1652, 1657.

Biography

Penhellick, a merchant, came from a cadet branch of a minor gentry family that had been prominent in the mercantile and municipal life of Helston since Tudor times. His father was mayor in 1638. In 1652 Penhellick and Peter Ceely were granted a commission for a privateer. After a double return at Helston at the general election of 1660, he was seated on the merits of the return, and classed as a friend by Lord Wharton; but he lost his seat when the election was declared void next month. He was appointed to no committees, and made no speeches in the Convention. His will, drawn up on 12 Oct. 1660, was proved on 12 Feb. 1662. No other member of the family ever entered Parliament.

Vivian, Vis. Cornw. 363-4; Gilbert, Paroch. Hist. Cornw. i. 209; CSP Dom. 1651-2, p. 577; W. P. Courtney, Parl. Rep. Cornw. 44; Add. 34550, f. 108.

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes