Robert Rainbow Kenning (1728–1797)
Robert Rainbow Kenning or Kening was born at Banbury and baptised there on 30 December 1728. His parents were Richard Kenning (also a surgeon) and Elizabeth Rainbow, who both originated from at Banbury and had married there on 1 January that year. .
The Rugby School register (xiii and 48) indicates that Robert Rainbow Kenning was a pupil at that school, and later an assistant master there.
Robert’s father Richard Kenning died in 1755 and was buried at Banbury on 22 March. Less than a month later, on 18 April, Robert, who was aged about 26, was matriculated as a privileged surgeon (“chirurgus”) at the University of Oxford, presumably so that he could practise in the city; but by March 1762 he was back in Banbury.
On 8 March 1762 at St Peter and St Paul Church in Steeple Aston, Robert Rainbow Kenning married Mary Lamley or Lamlee of Steeple Aston. They had three children:
- Robert Lamley Kenning (baptised at Banbury in 1763)
- Judith Anna Maria Kenning (baptised at Steeple Aston on 7 July 1767)
- Charles Edward Kenning (baptised at Steeple Aston on 3 August 1769;
buried there on 12 February 1770)
Robert’s widowed mother Elizabeth Kenning was buried at Banbury in 1763.
On 2 July 1781 his son Robert Lamley Kening [sic] was matriculated at the University of Oxford from Merton College at the age of 17, obtaining his BA in 1785 and his MA (from St Mary Hall) in 1788.
Robert's wife Mary Kenning was buried at Steeple Aston on 17 December 1792.
Robert Rainbow Kenning died at the age of 68 and was buried at Steeple Aston on 2 February 1797. He was described in the burial register as a surgeon.
Kenning's two surviving children:
- Robert Lamlee Kenning was an assistant master at Rugby School in 1787. He was ordained, and served as Curate of Somerton. He died at Steeple Aston at the age of 59 on 13 July 1822
- Judith Anna Maria Kenning married John Heynes of Chipping Norton at Banbury on 13 May 1799.