John Parsons (died 1717)

Sir John Parsons (1639–1717) was MP for Reigate,[1] Surrey and a brewer and supplier to the Royal Navy.

Origins

John Parsons was born in 1639 and baptised on 28 August at St Botolph without Aldgate, London. He was the son of John Parsons, a brewer, of East Smithfield, London and his wife Jane[2].

He was knighted by James II on 15 August 1687 at Windsor Castle.[3]

Commercial career

He was the owner of the Red Lion Brewery in East Smithfield, a business he inherited from his father. This brewing business in London was popular for its strong stout, known as "Parson's Black Champagne". This was a brewery that exported beer as well as supplying it locally. The brewery had the principal export trade in beer to France. [4]

Parsons however diversified his interests. He was Commissioner for Victualling for the Royal Navy from 1677 to 1680.[5]

Reigate Place

He purchased the Priory estate in Reigate in 1681 as a home for his large family. He commissioned an impressive staircase with fine parquetry for the house.[6] On his death Humphrey Parsons, his son inherited the building and held the estate until 1741.[7]

In 1700, a gallery was erected in the south aisle of St Mary's church, Reigate especially for Sir John Parsons of Reigate Priory to house his wife, children and very large family. This remained for 150 years and was used by subsequent owners of the Priory until it was removed in about 1845.

Political career

John Parsons was an Alderman of London from 1687 and Lord mayor of London in 1703.[8]

He was returned as Tory MP, representing the borough of Reigate in every parliament, except the Convention Parliament of 1689 and that of 1698, from 1685 to 1717, the year of his death.[9]

He died on 25 January 1717 and was buried in Aldgate.

Family

He married twice. His first wife whom me married by 1667 was Elizabeth Beane, daughter of Humphrey Beane, a cordwainer of Epsom, Surrey.[10] She was born in 1645 (Baptised 18 December 1645 in St Olave, Southwark. She died before 1677, the year that John married his second wife, Jane Milward on 7 February.[11]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1660-1690/member/parsons-john-1639-1717
  2. ↑ http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1690-1715/member/parsons-sir-john-1639-1717
  3. ↑ Guildhall RO, St. Botolph Aldgate par. reg.; PCC 131 Rivers, 112 Penn, 42 Whitfield; Le Neve's Knights (Harl. Soc. viii), 413; Soc. of Genealogists, Boyd's London Units, 5150, 15796; Mar. Lic. (Harl. Soc. xxiv), 170.
  4. ↑ Stephen, Sir Leslie, ed.; London, England: Oxford University Press; Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-20, 22; Volume: Vol 15; Page: 402
  5. ↑ The royal navy-men's advocate: by William Thompson (wine-cooper.) p.57 https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=qkssAQAAMAAJ&pg
  6. ↑ The Buildings of England Surrey by Pevsner Nikolaus 1971
  7. ↑ SURREY COATS OF ARMS https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/36439/Surrey-Coats-of-Arms-I-Z.pdf
  8. ↑ B. Lambert: The History and Survey of London and Its Environs: From the earliest period to the present time, Volume 3 p.363.
  9. ↑ Stephen, Sir Leslie, ed.; London, England: Oxford University Press; Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-20, 22; Volume: Vol 15; Page: 402)
  10. ↑ London Magazine, 1741, p.152
  11. ↑ London Metropolitan Archives, St Botolph Aldersgate, Composite register: baptisms 1638 - 1681, marriages 1640 - 1682, burials 1640 - 1681, P69/BOT1/A/001/MS03854, Item 001
Civic offices
Preceded by
Sir Samuel Dashwood
Lord Mayor of London
1703–1704		 Succeeded by
Sir Owen Buckingham
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