JESSON, William (c.1617-61), of Little Park Street, Coventry, Warws.

Jesson’s ancestors had lived in Coventry for three generations. His father, a dyer by trade, was mayor in 1631, and distinguished himself in opposition to Charles I both in church and state. A Presbyterian, he represented the borough in the Short and Long Parliaments until Pride’s Purge, and served on the county committee. Jesson inherited an estate of £600 p.a. and does not seem to have engaged in trade. At the general election of 1660 he probably stood jointly with his brother-in-law Richard Hopkins I, but he was defeated by Robert Beake. The election was declared void on 31 July, and Jesson was successful at the by-election. He took no known part in the Convention, but probably voted with the Presbyterian Opposition. He stood for re-election with Hopkins in 1661, but they were defeated by the royalist candidates. He died soon afterwards; his will, proved on 1 Aug., mentions losses sustained through bad debts. His son completed the ascent into the ranks of the gentry with removal to a country seat in Leicestershire, a knighthood and a second marriage to a Villiers; but no later member of the family entered Parliament.2VCH Warws. viii. 249; Keeler, Long Parl. 238; D. Underdown, Pride’s Purge, 114; PCC 132 May; Nichols, Lincs. ii. 197; iii. 909.