Sir Jermyn Davers, 4th Baronet

Sir Jermyn Davers, 4th Baronet (circa 1686 – 20 February 1743), was an English landowner and politician associated with Suffolk. His family estates included Rougham and Rushbrooke.

Early Life

Jermyn Davers was born around 1686, the second son of Sir Robert Davers, 2nd Baronet, and Hon. Mary Jermyn. His maternal grandfather was Thomas Jermyn, 2nd Baron Jermyn. He was raised at Rushbrooke Hall. In 1704, at the age of approximately 17, he matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, beginning his higher education on 14 March.

Family Background

His paternal family held the baronetcy and estates, and his mother was from the Jermyn family, which had significant holdings including the Jermyn estates. He had at least one elder brother, Sir Robert Davers, 3rd Baronet, from whom he inherited the title.

Political Career

Davers was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bury St Edmunds in the 1722 general election as a Tory candidate. He succeeded his brother in the baronetcy on 20 May 1723, becoming the 4th Baronet. In April 1725, he was among five Tories who voted against a motion to restore the inheritance rights of Viscount Bolingbroke.

In 1726, Davers inherited a portion of the Jermyn estates from his great-uncle, Henry Jermyn, 1st Baron Dover, who died in 1708 without male heirs. The estates included properties such as Cheveley in Cambridgeshire and properties on Dover Street in London.

In the 1727 general election, Davers was elected as the MP for Suffolk, winning by a majority in a contested race. Throughout his parliamentary career, he consistently voted against the government.

In 1730, he and his brother Thomas sold two estates in Barbados, along with the enslaved people attached to them. These holdings had been inherited from his father. He was returned unopposed as MP for Suffolk in subsequent elections in 1734 and 1741.

Personal Life

Before his marriage, Davers is believed to have fathered two illegitimate sons with an unnamed partner. On 21 October 1729, he married Margaretta Green, daughter of Reverend Edward Green, rector of Drinkstone, Suffolk.

He had a total of six sons and four daughters. Among his offspring:

- Mary Davers (1730–1805)

- Elizabeth Davers (1733 – 19 December 1800), who married Frederick Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol

- Sir Robert Davers, 5th Baronet (1735–1763), who died unmarried

- Sir Charles Davers, 6th Baronet (4 June 1737 – 4 June 1806)

- Rev. Thomas Davers (1738–1766)

Two of his legitimate sons, Robert and Charles, succeeded him as baronets. Robert was killed in Canada during Pontiac's Rebellion.

Death and Succession

Sir Jermyn Davers died on 20 February 1743. His son Robert inherited the baronetcy but was killed in Canada, after which the title passed to his son Charles.

References

[References are not provided here but are indicated in the original document.]