Offices Held
Commr. for assessment, Salop, Caern., Denb. and Merion. 1679-80, 1689-90, Flints. 1689-90; j.p. Caern. 1680-Apr. 1688, Oct. 1688-96; Salop 1680-June 1688, Nov. 1688-96, Merion. 1682-Apr. 1688, Oct. 1688-96; dep. lt. Caern. and Merion. 1683-?June 1688, 1689-96; mayor, Oswestry 1686-7; sheriff, Merion. Jan.-Nov. 1688; freeman, Caernarvon by 1692.
Biography
Owen’s great-grandfather became secretary to Sir Francis Walsingham, the Elizabethan statesman, married the heiress of Clenennau, and sat for Caernarvon Boroughs in 1597. His grandfather, Sir John Owen, fought for the King in both wars, and was sentenced to death in 1649, but reprieved. His father, though less prominent as a Royalist, suffered sequestration. Owen was returned for Merioneth at the first general election after he had come of age. No record of his activities in the Oxford Parliament survives, but he was known to oppose exclusion. He did not stand in 1685, probably in fulfilment of an electoral bargain with Sir John Wynn. He remained a devoted Anglican and a strong upholder of the monarchy, despite several rebuffs from the Court. His request for the constableship of Harlech Castle was denied, and the vice-admiralty of North Wales was granted over his head to Sir William Williams, 6th Bt. He refused his consent to the repeal of the Test Act and Penal Laws, and was appointed sheriff of Merioneth to prevent him from standing for the abortive Parliament. Nevertheless he offered to raise 500 men to resist William of Orange in November 1688.
Owen was returned for Caernarvon Boroughs at the general election of 1689. In the Convention he voted to agree with the Lords that the throne was not vacant, but he accepted the new regime and renewed his claim to Harlech. His only committee was for a private bill. He remained a Tory, refusing to sign the Association in 1696. He died on 30 Mar. 1698, and was buried at Selattyn. The next member of the family to enter Parliament was his grandson Francis, who sat for Helston in 1774. 3
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Sir Robert Owen Knight (burial record)
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Abstract of the Will of Sir Robert Owen of Porkington in the County of Salop, Knt., written Nov 1696, codicil 2 Apr 1698, proved 19 Jan 1698/9.
Wills that his mortgages upon all his messuages, lands, tenements & hereditaments in the counties of Salop, Denbigh & Carnarvon be discharged and paid by his eldest son William Owen or his heirs after him.
Gives & bequeaths to his second son John one annuity of £50 for the term of his natural life.
Gives & bequeaths to his third son Arthur one annuity of £50 for the term of his natural life.
Gives & bequeaths to his fourth son Arthur [sic] one annuity of £50 for the term of his natural life.
Gives & bequeaths to his fifth son Lewis one annuity of £50 for the term of his natural life.
Names his younger sons John, Arthur, Edward and Lewis.
Gives & bequeaths £1,000 to his daughter Elizabeth, then under the age of twenty-one.
Gives & bequeaths £1,000 to his daughter Frances, then under the age of twenty-one.
Gives, devises & bequeaths the reversions and remainders of all his messuages, lands, tenements, hereditaments, rents and premises to his eldest son William Owen and his heirs; and in default of issue, to his second son John Owen and his heirs; and in default of issue, to his third son Arthur Owen and his heirs; and in default of issue, to his fourth son Edward Owen and his heirs; and in default of issue, to his fifth son Lewis Owen; and in default of issue, to his daughter Elizabeth Owen and her heirs; and in default of issue, to his daughter Frances Owen and her heirs.
Recommends all his children to the care of his wife Margaret Owen whom he nominates and appoints sole executrix of his last will and testament.
Nominates & appoints William Pugh Esqr and Richard Mostyn Esqr to be guardians of his eldest son until he attains the age of twenty-one years.
(Signed)
Witnesses: Richard Lloyd, Edward Lloyd, R. Greene
In a codicil dated 2 Apr 1698 he adds Sir John Wynn of Matstay? in county Denbigh Knt. and Baronet Richard Glynne of Clermon in county Carnarvon and Ellis Lloyd of Pen-y-fan in county Denbigh Esqr as trustees together with William Pugh of Mathavarn Esqr and Richard Mostyn... 4
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