Complex sentence: John Rogers (1778--1856), divine, born at Plymouth on 17 July 1778, was eldest son of John Rogers, M.P. for Penryn and Helston, by his wife Margaret, daughter of Frances Basset.
Split into simpler sentences: John Rogers (1778--1856), was born at Plymouth on 17 July 1778. He was the eldest son of John Rogers, the M.P. for Penryn and Helston and Margaret, daughter of Frances Basset.