James Paynter

James Paynter (1666 – date of death unknown) was an English gentleman and the leader of a Jacobite uprising in Cornwall in 1715. He is best known for publicly proclaiming James Francis Edward Stuart (the "Old Pretender") as the rightful King of England, Scotland, and Ireland, an act for which he was tried for high treason, acquitted and subsequently elevated to the Jacobite peerage.

Early life and background James Paynter was born in Cornwall in 1666 and baptized on 18 August of that year in St Erth. He was the son of Arthur Paynter, a gentleman, and Mary (née Praed) Paynter.

Government authorities quickly moved against him, and Paynter was arrested and put on trial for high treason at Launceston, Cornwall. However, leveraging his legal status as a registered Cornish tinner, Paynter successfully claimed his ancient privilege to be judged by a jury of his peers. The jury of fellow Cornish tinners promptly acquitted him of all charges. Following his release, Paynter was reportedly greeted with widespread public jubilation, celebrated by "bonfire and by ball" all the way from Launceston to Land's End.

Jacobite Peerage In recognition of his steadfast loyalty and leadership during the unsuccessful insurrection, James Paynter was created the Marquess of Trelissick (sometimes styled Marquis of Trelessick) in the Jacobite Peerage on 20 June 1715, by James Francis Edward Stuart.