James Rooke (British Army general)

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

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

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. He inherited large estates in Monmouthshire from his mother.

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.[2]

in 1796 he was given the colonelcy of the 38th (1st Staffordshire) Regiment of Foot for life and promoted to full General in 1802.[2][3]

He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Monmouthshire from 1785 until his death.[2]

Personal life and death

Rooke had married Elizabeth Brown of St Briavels. Their son, Lieutenant-Colonel James Rooke, died of his wounds in Colombia fighting for independence in 1819. Their daughter, Eleanor, married Thomas Probyn, Governor of St Kitts.

Rooke died at age 63 and was buried in St Briavels, Gloucestershire in 1805.

References
  1. "ROOKE, James (C.1742-1805), of Bigsweir House, Mon. | History of Parliament Online".
  2. 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.
  3. "38th (1st Staffordshire)Regiment of Foot". regiments.org. Archived from the original on 21 June 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)


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