Family and Education

bap. 14 Feb. 1672, o. (posth.) s. of Thomas Trenchard I. educ. privately; travelled abroad 1686. m. 13 June 1695, Elizabeth, da. and h. of Henry Henning of Poxwell, Dorset, 1da. suc. fa. at birth.1

Offices Held

Commr. for assessment, Dorset 1689-90; freeman, Poole 1692; col. of militia, Dorset by 1698, dep. lt. by 1700-d., j.p. by 1701-d.2

Biography

In spite of his extreme youth Trenchard was invited by the people of Dorchester to represent them in 1689, and encouraged to stand by his kinsman Thomas Erle. As he was not yet 17, he is likely to have played a less conspicuous part in the Convention than his uncles, John Trenchard and Henry Trenchard. Like them, he supported the disabling clause in the bill to restore corporations, but no committee work or speeches can be definitely ascribed to him.3

Trenchard was involved in an electoral dispute with Sir Robert Napier at the general election, but took his seat on petition. A court Whig under William III, he died on 16 Jan. 1703, and was buried at Charminster. His daughter brought the Wolveton estate to her cousin George Trenchard^†.4

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Author: John. P. Ferris

Notes

• 1. CJ, x. 509; Hutchins, Dorset, i. 469; ii. 556; iii. 326-7; Dorset RO, D60/F56.
• 2. Proc. Dorset Nat. Hist. and Arch. Soc. xxviii. 36; Poole archives, B17.
• 3. Churchill College, Camb., Erle-Drax mss.
• 4. Hutchins, i. 555; PCC 123 Degg.