Brereton, William, Sir, 1st Baronet (1604 -1661)

Sir William Brereton, of Hanford in Cheshire, was the eldest son of William Brereton, of Hanford, and Margaret, daughter and coheir of Richard Holland, of Denton, in Lancashire. He succeeded to his father's estates in 1611. He was educated at Brasenose College, Oxford, where he matriculated 2 November 1621, age 18, and was admitted to Gray's Inn 29 January 1623. He was created a baronet 10 March 1627. An active supporter of the Parliamentary party, he commanded the Cheshire forces against the King in 1642. Appointed one of the King's Judges, he did not act. He was also Member of Parliament for Cheshire 1628 1629, and 1640 1653, a Member of the Rump, and a Member of the Council of State during the Commonwealth. He married, firstly, Susan, daughter of Sir George Booth, 1st Baronet, of Dunham. After her death in May 1637, he married secondly, Cicely, widow of Edward Mytton, and daughter of Sir William Skeffington, 1st Baronet, of Fisherwick in Leicestershire. He died at Croydon Palace, which had been granted him by Parliament, and was succeeded by his only son, Sir Thomas, who died without issue 7 January 1674, when the baronetcy became extinct.