Sir William Pennyman was an English landowner, soldier and politician.
Background
He was the illegitimate son of William Pennyman (died 1628) a Clerk in Chancery and was educated at Christ Church, Oxford and Inner Temple. His father purchased a third of the Manor of Marske, Yorkshire, in present day Redcar and Cleveland, in 1616.
Career
Pennyman later married Ann Atherton, granddaughter of Katherine Conyers and heiress to the remaining two thirds. He built Marske Hall in 1625. He acquired substantial wealth from alum mining on the Marske estate.
He was created a Baronet by Charles on 6 May 1628.
He served as High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1635-1636 and later was Deputy Lieutenant of that county. In 1638 he raised a Regiment of Foot from the Yorkshire Trained Bands to assist in the war against the Scots.
He was appointed by Charles as Governor of Oxford. He died at Oxford of the plague in 1643 and the manor passed to his half-brother James, who was made 1st Baronet Pennyman of Ormesby in 1664.
Membership
He was a supporter of King Charles I and served as a member of the Council of the North and as an officer of the Star Chamber. He was Member of Parliament for Richmond 1640-1642 but was barred from sitting in 1642.