Barbara’s family
Henry Sewell "House of Commons
Coventry linen draper, merchant, alderman, and civic leader
1544 – 16 Apr 1628 · 12th Great GrandfatherHenry Sewall, also recorded as Henry Sewell, was a Coventry linen draper, merchant, alderman, and civic leader. He served as mayor of Coventry in 1587 and 1606 and represented Coventry in the House of Commons from 1621 to 1622. He died at Coventry on 16 April 1628.
Henry Sewall, also recorded as Henry Sewell, was born in 1544 at Coventry, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Sir William Sewall of Coventry and Matilda Home.
He became a linen draper and merchant in Coventry and is said to have acquired a substantial estate. He served as an alderman and was mayor of Coventry in 1587. He was mayor again in 1606.
In 1621, Sewall was elected to represent Coventry in the House of Commons, serving from 1621 to 1622.
He married Margaret Grazebrook, daughter of Avery Grazebrook. They had sons named Henry and Richard. Margaret made her will in May 1628; it was proved on 16 June 1632.
Henry Sewall died at Coventry on 16 April 1628, at about age 84. He was buried in the Draper’s Chapel of St Michael’s Church in Coventry. He was a great-grandfather of Samuel Sewall.
He became a linen draper and merchant in Coventry and is said to have acquired a substantial estate. He served as an alderman and was mayor of Coventry in 1587. He was mayor again in 1606.
In 1621, Sewall was elected to represent Coventry in the House of Commons, serving from 1621 to 1622.
He married Margaret Grazebrook, daughter of Avery Grazebrook. They had sons named Henry and Richard. Margaret made her will in May 1628; it was proved on 16 June 1632.
Henry Sewall died at Coventry on 16 April 1628, at about age 84. He was buried in the Draper’s Chapel of St Michael’s Church in Coventry. He was a great-grandfather of Samuel Sewall.
Historical context
Sewall’s public life was centered on Coventry. His service as mayor on two occasions and later as Coventry’s representative in the House of Commons reflects his prominence in the city’s commercial and civic affairs.
Sources & research
Original family tree maker notes, citing references [1], [2], [3], [4], and [5].
Current facts supplied with the profile.
No bibliographic details were supplied for references [1]–[5].