Thomas Reynell

Who was Thomas Reynell?

Thomas Reynell was an English lawyer and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1654 and 1689.

Reynell was the eldest son of Sir Richard Reynell of East Ogwell, Devon and his wife Mary Reynell, daughter of Richard Reynell of Creedy Widger. He was educated at Exeter College, Oxford in 1640 and entered Middle Temple in 1641. In 1647 he was J.P. He succeeded to the family estates on the death of his father in 1648. In 1649 he was called to the bar.

Reynell was JP for Devon again and was commissioner for assessment for Devon in 1652. He was JP for Devon again in 1653 and remained in post until 1660. In 1654, he was elected Member of Parliament for Devon for the First Protectorate Parliament. He was re-elected MP for Devon in 1656 for the Second Protectorate Parliament. He was commissioner for assessment in 1657 and commissioner for militia in 1659. In 1659 he was elected MP for Ashburton in the Third Protectorate Parliament.

Reynell was commissioner for assessment from January 1660 to 1663 and commissioner for militia in March 1660.