Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Henchman, Humphrey (1669-1739)
HENCHMAN, HUMPHREY (1669–1739), civilian, grandson of Humphrey Henchman [q. v.], born in 1669, became a Westminster scholar in 1684, was elected to Christ Church, Oxford, proceeding B.A. 1691, M.A. 1694, B.C.L. and D.C.L. 1702 (Cat. of Oxford Graduates). He was admitted advocate at Doctors' Commons 23 Oct. 1703. A portrait of him was afterwards hung in one of the courts there. He was an intimate friend of Bishop Atterbury, and stood godfather to his son. Atterbury obtained for him the chancellorship of his see of Rochester in 1714. He was made chancellor of London in 1715. He was one of the counsel for Dr. Sacheverell on his impeachment in 1710. His speeches, which are given in Howell's ‘State Trials,’ are not merely acute and able, but very judicious and to the point (xv. 240, 304, 329, 357). He was also engaged against Whiston in his prosecution for heresy before the court of delegates. He was consulted by the government on several points connected with the treaty of Utrecht, some of the articles of which are said to have been drawn by him. He ‘was also appointed commissary of Essex and Herts, and was her Majesty's advocate in the High Court of Chivalry, in which court we find him promoting a suit before Dr. Isham at the Heralds' College in 1732’ (Welch). He died at his house at Hampton, Middlesex, 15 Aug. 1739, and was buried at Fulham. His wife survived him. Henchman was one of the authors of the Oxford collection of verses written to celebrate the return of William III from Ireland in 1690.
[Welch, List of Queen's Scholars, p. 208; authorities cited there; Notes and Queries, 3rd ser. iii. 150, 256, 316, 317; Coote's Cat. of English Civilians, p. 108; Political State of Great Britain, August 1739, p. 185; London Mag. 1739, p. 412; Gent. Mag. 1739, p. 439 and some references to Henchman and his wife in Musgrave's Obituary Notices; Sloane MS. 4847, No. 10, ff. 57 and 58.]