Henry Pelham (Clerk of the Pells)

Henry Pelham (dates unknown, but holding the office in the late 17th and early 18th centuries) was the Clerk of the Pells, a significant and lucrative position within the Exchequer of England. The Clerk of the Pells was responsible for keeping the 'pells', parchment rolls on which receipts and payments of the Exchequer were recorded. This individual held a key role in the financial administration of the kingdom.

The office of Clerk of the Pells was a sinecure, meaning it provided income with relatively few duties directly performed by the appointed individual. Often, a deputy would handle the day-to-day responsibilities. However, the position itself carried considerable status and influence, as well as a substantial income derived from fees associated with the transactions recorded.

Henry Pelham, holding this position, was likely connected to the powerful Pelham family, though specific genealogical details linking him to the more well-known members of the family (such as Prime Minister Henry Pelham) require further research and verification. The office was often passed down within families or through patronage networks. The tenure of Henry Pelham as Clerk of the Pells falls within a period of significant financial development in England, including the establishment of the Bank of England and the burgeoning national debt, highlighting the importance of accurate record-keeping within the Exchequer. Further archival research into Exchequer records of the period could reveal more specific details about his activities and the scale of transactions overseen during his time in office.