John Foster of Dunleer facts for kids
John Foster (born 1665 – died 16 May 1747) was an important person in Irish politics during the 17th and 18th centuries. He was elected to the Irish House of Commons, which was like a parliament for Ireland at that time. He represented the area of Dunleer in County Louth. Before that, he was also the Mayor of Dunleer.
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Who Was John Foster?
John Foster was born in 1665. His family had a history in Ireland, as his grandfather, Samuel, had moved there from Cumberland. John's father was Colonel Anthony Foster, who also lived in Dunleer.
His Family Life
In 1704, John Foster married Elizabeth Fortescue. She was the youngest daughter of William Fortescue and a cousin of William Henry Fortescue, 1st Earl of Clermont. John and Elizabeth had several children together.
John Foster's Children
- Anthony Foster: He became a very important judge, known as the Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer.
- Rev Thomas Foster DD: He was a clergyman.
- John William Foster: He was also a Member of Parliament (MP) for Dunleer. It's interesting to note that John William was actually the grandson of John Foster, not his direct son. John Foster had a son named William Foster, and William's son was John William Foster.
- Margaret Foster: She married Stephen Sibthorpe.
- Charlotte Foster: She married Nicholas Forster.
- Alice Foster: She married Thomas Bolton.
- Rhoda Foster: She married Roger Anketell.
What Was the Irish House of Commons?
The Irish House of Commons was a very old assembly, similar to a parliament, that made laws for Ireland. It was made up of elected members from different areas, called constituencies. John Foster was elected to represent the Dunleer constituency. Being a member of this House meant he helped make decisions for the country.
John Foster's Role as Mayor
Before becoming a Member of Parliament, John Foster served as the Mayor of Dunleer. A mayor is the leader of a town or city. This role meant he was responsible for the local government and well-being of the people in Dunleer.
