Background
He was born on 30 March 1649 at Lytchett Matravers, near Poole, to Thomas Trenchard of Wolverton (1615–1671), and his wife Hannah née Henley (d 1691).
He was born on 30 March 1649 at Lytchett Matravers, near Poole, to Thomas Trenchard of Wolverton (1615–1671), and his wife Hannah née Henley (d 1691).
He was educated at Winchester (1661-1665) and at New College, Oxford (1665-1667).
He belonged to an old Dorset family. In 1667, he entered the Middle Temple and was called to the bar in 1674. John Trenchard entered parliament as member for Taunton in 1679.
He associated himself with those who proposed to exclude the Duke of York from the throne, and attended some of the meetings held by these malcontents.
lieutenant is possible he was concerned in the Rye House Plot. In fact, he was arrested at all of the events in July 1683, but no definite evidence was brought against him so he was released.
When Monmouth landed in the west of England in June 1685, Trenchard fled from England to Groningen, Netherlands. Around 1687-1688, he was pardoned through the good offices of William Penn, and able to return home.
Again he entered parliament, but he took no active part in the Revolution of 1688, although he managed to secure the good will of William III. On 29 October 1689, he was knighted by the king, and made Chief Justice of Chester.
In 1692, he was appointed Secretary of State. He and the government incurred much ridicule through their failure to prove the existence of a great Jacobite plot in Lancashire and Cheshire in which they had been led to believe. George Trenchard (d 1758)
Maria Trenchard (since 1687)
William Trenchard (12 October since 1694)
Sir John died on 27 April 1695 at Kensington, London, and is buried at Bloxworth, Dorset.
Exclusion Bill Parliament. Habeas Corpus Parliament.
