John Backhouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir John Backhouse
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| Born | 1584 |
| Died | 1649 (aged 64–65) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Known for | New River Company |
Sir John Backhouse (born 1584 – died 9 October 1649) was an important English landowner and politician. He was a member of the English Parliament from 1625 to 1629. He also supported King Charles I during the English Civil War.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Sir John Backhouse was born in 1584. His father was Samuel Backhouse from Swallowfield Park in Berkshire, England. His mother was Elizabeth, the daughter of Sir John Borlase.
Bringing Water to London
In the early 1600s, London was growing fast and needed more fresh water. Sir John Backhouse helped start the New River Company. This company built a special waterway called the New River. It brought clean water from Hertfordshire all the way to the City of London. This was a very big and important project for the time!
A Life in Politics
In 1625, Sir John Backhouse became a Member of Parliament (MP) for a place called Great Marlow. An MP is someone chosen to represent their town or area in the English Parliament, where laws were made.
He was re-elected as an MP for Great Marlow in 1626. That same year, King Charles I made him a Knight of the Order of the Bath. This was a special honor given by the King. Also in 1626, he inherited Swallowfield Park, his family's estate.
Sir John was elected MP for Great Marlow again in 1628. He served until 1629. At that time, King Charles I decided to rule England without Parliament for eleven years.
Supporting the King
During the English Civil War, Sir John Backhouse strongly supported King Charles I. Because of this, he was put in prison. His lands and property were also taken away for a time. This was a difficult period for him and his family.
Later Life and Legacy
Sir John Backhouse passed away on 9 October 1649. His wife, Flower (also known as Flora), built a monument in his memory. You can find this monument in Swallowfield Church.
Sir John married Flower Henshawe on 11 July 1615. They did not have any children.
