Richard Fenton (1747 - 1821)

Born 1747 in St David's, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Ancestors

Descendants

Died Nov 1821 at about age 74 in Glynamel, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire

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Biography

Richard Fenton was born about January 1747, the child of Richard Fenton and Martha Wilkins, he was Christened February 20, 1747 at St. Davids Cathedral in Pembrokeshire, Wales.^[1] Richard was educated at the cathedral school and Haverfordwest grammar school, he later entered Magdalen College, Oxford but there is no record of his matriculation. In his working life he entered the civil service as an Officer of the Board of Customs, where one of his relatives held the position of Commissioner. Possibly embittered by not completing his education at Oxford, Richard wrote poems mocking his superiors of the Board of Customs, which were published in 1773 and soon after he resigned.^[2]

Entering Middle Temple in 1774 where he read Law, he became friends with the likes of Oliver Goldsmith, David Garrick, Samuel Johnson, Sir Richard Colt Hoare, and Sir Joshua Reynolds and early in 1783 he was called to the Bar. Richard practiced as a barrister on the Welsh circuits and also prepared government reports on social and political conditions in Wales. Around this time Richard married Eloise, the daughter of Swiss Baron Pillet de Moudon. Three sons were born, John, Richard Charles in 1788 and lastly Samuel who was later to become the vicar of Fishguard.^[3] Richard and his family were at this time living in Machynlleth, Montgomeryshire and when he wasn't working on legal matters toured Wales pursuing scholarly interests. In 1792 Richard went to Ireland in a professional capacity to help prosecute Irish rebels but was so disgusted at the methods employed he resigned and returned to Wales, confining himself to just giving legal advice,^[4]

By 1796, Richards uncle Samuel Fenton had died leaving him his commercial interests and a large amount of property in Fishguard, this allowed Richard to pursue his interests full time, he built a gentlemanly mansion on a cliff face he called Plas Glynamel, he published "A Historical Tour through Pembrokeshire" in 1811, followed by anonymously publishing "Tour in Quest of Genealogy through Several Parts of Wales, Somersetshire and Wiltshire" which he researched accompanied by his friend Sir Richard Colt Hoare. In 1815 Richard published "Memoirs of an Old Wig" and he died November 1821 at his home, Plas Glynamel, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, Wales.^[5]

Richard Fenton is Notable.

Sources

1. ↑ Wales, Pembrokeshire, Parish Registers, 1538-1912 index, FamilySearch, Richd Fenton, 20 Feb 1747, Baptism; citing "Parish Records Collection 1538-2005," Brightsolid; p. 13, St David's, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
2. ↑ Richard Fenton PDF Author; Dillwyn Miles. Title; Cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Hanesyddol Sir Benfro. Issue; Vol. 7, (1996/1997) Page# 52.
3. ↑ Tours In Wales Author; Richard Fenton 1804 to 1813. Edited by John Fisher BD. Published by; The Bedford Press 1917 for; the Cambrian Archeological Association. Page# iv
4. ↑ Richard Fenton PDF Author; Dillwyn Miles. Title; Cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Hanesyddol Sir Benfro. Issue; Vol. 7, (1996/1997) Page# 55.
5. ↑ Richard Fenton PDF Author; Dillwyn Miles. Title; Cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Hanesyddol Sir Benfro. Issue; Vol. 7, (1996/1997) Page# 64.

See Also:

• Welsh Biography Online FENTON , RICHARD ( 1747 - 1821 )

• Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Richard Fenton 1747 - 1821. Author; Brynley F. Roberts.

• Tours In Wales Author; Richard Fenton 1804 to 1813. Edited by John Fisher BD. Published by; The Bedford Press 1917 for; the Cambrian Archeological Association.

• His biography can be viewed on the Ancestry website. Membership Required.

• Also his biography appears on Wikipedia

• His death notice can be viewed on the Ancestry website and on the National Library of Wales website

• His Burial Record can be viewed on the FindmyPast website. Membership Required.