Author: Andrews, James Pettit
Biography:
ANDREWS, James Pettit (c. 1737-97: ODNB)
He was the second son of Joseph Andrews, paymaster of the forces, of Shaw House near Newbury in Berkshire. His mother was Joseph Andrews’s second wife, Elizabeth Pettit. He was educated by the Rev. Mr. Matthews, rector of Shaw, and in 1757 joined the Berkshire militia. He served until about 1792 when he became a magistrate at the police court, Queen Square, Westminster; he held that position until his death. In 1763 he had built Donnington Grove, a large home near Shaw House; he sold the house in 1783. On 11 Dec. 1767 he married Anne Penrose, sister of Thomas Penrose (q.v.), at Shaw-cum-Donnington; they had three children but one son predeceased his father. Andrews was a fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries and a keen historian. He published An Appeal to the Humane on Behalf of the Most Deplorable Class of Society, the Climbing Boys (1788), Anecdotes, &c Ancient and Modern (1789; a second edition with additions 1790), History of Great Britain, Connected with the Chronology of Europe (1794), and History of Great Britain from the Death of Henry VIII to the Accession of James VI (1796). He worked with Henry James Pye (q.v.) on The Inquisitor; likely he first came to know Pye when both men served in the Berkshire militia. Andrews died at his home in Brompton, London, on 6 Aug. 1797; his will leaves the bulk of his estate to his eldest son, Joseph. (ODNB 10 May 2022; ancestry.co.uk 10 May 2022) SR
Other Names:
- J. P. Andrews