Ralph Jenison

Ralph Jenison ( – 15 May 1758) of Elswick Hall near Newcastle, Northumberland and Walworth Castle, county Durham was a British politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1724 and 1758.

Early life Jenison was baptized at Heighington, County Durham, on 23 December 1696. From a family of Newcastle merchants, he was the eldest surviving son of Ralph Jenison of Elswick and Walworth, and his wife Elizabeth Heron (daughter of Sir Cuthbert Heron, 1st Baronet of Chipchase, Northumberland). He succeeded his father in 1704, and his grandfather Robert Jenison, in 1714.

Jenison was High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1716 and became a freeman of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1718.

Career

Jenison stood for parliament in a very expensive contest at a by-election at Northumberland on 20 February 1723. He was initially unsuccessful, but he petitioned and was seated as Member of Parliament on 16 April 1724. At the 1727 general election he was returned unopposed. He usually supported the Government, but voted for the repeal of the Septennial Act in 1734. He was re-elected MP for Northumberland in another expensive contest at the 1734 general election. He was politically connected with Charles Bennet, 2nd Earl of Tankerville and succeeded him as Master of the Buckhounds in 1737.

Personal life On 10 December 1751, Jenison married Susan Allan, daughter of Thomas Allan of the Flatts, county Durham.

He died on 15 May 1758 and was buried at Heighington. He left no issue as an only son predeceased him.