Thomas Abney (judge)
Encyclopedia
Sir Thomas Abney was an English barrister
and later judge
. He was the younger son of Sir Edward Abney (who in turn was the elder brother of Sir Thomas Abney
, lord mayor of London
), by his second wife, Judith, daughter and co-heir of Peter Barr, of London). He became a King's Counsel in 1733, attorney-general for the duchy of Lancaster
in 1733, steward of the Marshalsea Court
in 1736, in November 1740 a Baron of the Exchequer, and in February 1743 a Justice of the Common Pleas
. Abney fell a victim to the gaol distemper at the ‘Black Sessions’ at the Old Bailey in May 1750, when, ‘of the judges in the commission, only the chief justice, (Lee) and the recorder (Adams) escaped. Those who fell a sacrifice to the pestilence were Mr. Justice Abney, who died 19 May; Mr. Baron Clarke, who died on the 17th; Sir Samuel Pennant, lord mayor; and alderman Sir Daniel Lambert; besides several of the counsel and jurymen.’
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
and later judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
. He was the younger son of Sir Edward Abney (who in turn was the elder brother of Sir Thomas Abney
Thomas Abney
Sir Thomas Abney was Lord Mayor of London.Abney was born in Willesley, which at the time was in Derbyshire but is now in Leicestershire. He was educated at Loughborough Grammar School, where a house is named after him....
, lord mayor of London
Mayor of London
The Mayor of London is an elected politician who, along with the London Assembly of 25 members, is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London. Conservative Boris Johnson has held the position since 4 May 2008...
), by his second wife, Judith, daughter and co-heir of Peter Barr, of London). He became a King's Counsel in 1733, attorney-general for the duchy of Lancaster
Duchy of Lancaster
The Duchy of Lancaster is one of the two royal duchies in England, the other being the Duchy of Cornwall. It is held in trust for the Sovereign, and is used to provide income for the use of the British monarch...
in 1733, steward of the Marshalsea Court
Marshalsea Court
The Marshalsea Court was a court associated with the Royal Household in England.It was a court of record held by the Steward and Marshal of the Royal Household, to administer justice between the sovereign's domestic servants "that they might not be drawn into other courts and their service lost"...
in 1736, in November 1740 a Baron of the Exchequer, and in February 1743 a Justice of the Common Pleas
Justice of the Common Pleas
Justice of the Common Pleas was a puisne judicial position within the Court of Common Pleas of England and Wales, under the Chief Justice. The Common Pleas was the primary court of common law within England and Wales, dealing with "common" pleas...
. Abney fell a victim to the gaol distemper at the ‘Black Sessions’ at the Old Bailey in May 1750, when, ‘of the judges in the commission, only the chief justice, (Lee) and the recorder (Adams) escaped. Those who fell a sacrifice to the pestilence were Mr. Justice Abney, who died 19 May; Mr. Baron Clarke, who died on the 17th; Sir Samuel Pennant, lord mayor; and alderman Sir Daniel Lambert; besides several of the counsel and jurymen.’