SKINNER, William (1596-1627), of Thornton College, Lincs.

As a student Skinner inhabited his father’s chambers at Lincoln’s Inn while the latter languished in a Holborn debtor’s prison. He made a fortunate marriage to the daughter of Sir Edward Coke, but declined to follow either his father or eminent father-in-law into public life; in 1614, before he came of age, he assigned his joint-receivership in the duchy of Lancaster to Sir Thomas Monson*. Still a minor when his father died, Skinner evaded responsibility for Sir Vincent’s debts by refusing to accept administration of the estate.9C.W. James, Chief Justice Coke, 69-77. He was returned to the second Caroline Parliament for Great Grimsby, about ten miles from his home at Thornton. His only committee appointment was to consider a private bill for the restitution of Carew Ralegh† (24 Mar. 1626).10Procs. 1626, ii. 356. Skinner died on 7 Aug. 1627, aged 32, and was buried at Thornton Curtis.11C142/437/104; W. Monson, Lincs. Church Notes (Lincoln Rec. Soc. xxxi), 379-80. In his will, dated 3 Aug., he left the residue of his estate after payment of debts to be equally divided between his younger children, having already made provision for his eldest son.12PROB 11/153, f. 84v. None of his descendants entered Parliament.