FAMILY
John Penny married Mary Herbert in Rochester, Kent, on 13 Jan 1639.
Mary appears to have been in Rochester though-out the First English Civil War (1642-46). The five year gap in the christenings of her children raises the question of whether John took part in the fighting.
THE FIRST CIVIL WAR
King Charles I raised the Royal Standard at Nottingham to start the English Civil War, on August 22, 1642.
The Pennys would have been in Rochester on August 23, when Colonel Edwin Sandy's overpowered a small group of Royalists that attempted to defend the bridge. Sandy's regiment had recently been recruited in London and Sir Michael Livesey joined him with 200 troopers and 300 dragoons. These Parliamentary troops entered Rochester's cathedral during the midst of a service. They moved the communion table, broke up some benches for firewood and destroyed the medieval stained glass windows. During their brief stay, Sandy's men the cathedral as a “tippling house”.
This was the beginning of a coup that left Kent in the hands of Parliament's supporters.
Sandy's regiment went on to fight against the King. Though he periodically served under General William Waller, Livesay's cavalry remained in Kent throughout most of the Fist Civil War. There were other Kentish regiments that fought for parliament - like Springet's Whitecoats and, later, Sir Ralph Weldon's Red coats.
There were also unsuccessful Royalist risings in 1642 and '45.
RISING OF 1648
The best known Royalist rising took place in 1648. This is in the middle of the next major break in the Penny's christening record, from 1647 until 1651. Royalist insurgentssiezed control of the town on May 21st 1648. Some of the local gentry led an armed party to join the Royalist army assembling at Blackheath. They were defeated in the Battle of Maidstone not long long after this. The Royalist commander, the earl of Norwich, escaped with a remnant of his troops. They slept overnight at Rochester, before proceeding to London (and their final surrender).
Though it is not certain if John Penny participated in any of this, his life would have been impacted as these events took place in his backyard.
AFTERWARDS
"John Penny & his wife" living in Rochester's South Borough on September 25, 1660, when the poll tax was drawn up. There is a single Penny entry in the 1664 Hearth Tax for Rochester. John Penny, living in South Borough, had a house with 6 hearths.
CHILDREN: