John Machell facts for kids

John Machell (1637–1704) was an important person in English politics. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Horsham, Sussex, for twenty years. He served during the reigns of King Charles II, King James II, and King William III and Queen Mary II.

His daughter, Isabella Machell, married Arthur Ingram, 3rd Viscount of Irvine. This made John Machell the grandfather of several future Viscounts of Irvine. These important family members lived at Temple Newsam near Leeds. John Machell's family later inherited his valuable home, Hills house in Horsham. They also continued the family tradition of serving in Parliament.

John Machell's Family Story

Great Tangley, a historic home near Wonersh

John Machell's father was Mathew Machell (around 1605–1682). Mathew was a great-grandson of an earlier John Machell, who was the Sheriff of London in 1555–56.

Mathew's father, also named John, married Jane Woodroffe in 1599. He was involved in business in London and with the East India Company. Later, he remarried Lady Elizabeth Aungier in 1624. Lady Elizabeth lived at Great Tangley in Surrey. She had been married twice before and had children from those marriages.

In 1635, Mathew Machell married his step-sister, Elizabeth Carryll. They had three children. John Machell, born in 1637, was the only one who survived past infancy. His mother, Elizabeth, sadly died at age 23 from smallpox in 1639. This meant John became the only direct heir connecting the Machell family to the Carryll and Aungier families.

Early Life and Learning

John Machell likely grew up at Great Tangley with his grandmother. His father, Mathew, remarried in 1644 to Jane Smither. Mathew and his second family lived in West Horsley.

John Machell went to study law at the Inner Temple in 1649. He became a lawyer in 1658. In 1654, his father bought a large estate called Hills in Horsham for John. This estate was very important for John's future.

In 1661, John Machell planned to marry Prudence Butler, but it did not happen. A few years later, in 1663, he tried to marry the sister of Samuel Gott. However, Gott refused. John Machell and a relative met Gott and beat him up. For this, John Machell was fined £1000 and spent a month in prison. He also had to promise to behave for seven years.

John Machell's Path to Parliament

In December 1666, John Machell married Helena Warmestry. Her stepfather, Sir John Covert, was an MP for Horsham. Helena's sister was also married to an MP.

In 1667, John Machell became a Justice of the Peace, helping to keep law and order. He also became a Commissioner for Subsidies, dealing with taxes. He continued these roles for many years.

John and Helena had four children, but only two daughters, Isabella (born 1670) and Caecilia Maria, lived to adulthood.

In 1681, John Machell successfully ran for Parliament in Horsham. He had bought properties there that allowed him to vote and stand for election. He served alongside John Michell as the MP for Horsham.

During his first time in Parliament, John's father, Mathew, passed away. Mathew had changed his will because some of his properties were destroyed in the Great Fire of London. John's stepmother later sued him over some family properties.

In 1685, John Machell's elder daughter, Isabella, married Arthur Ingram, 3rd Viscount of Irvine. She was only 15, and he was 19. They had nine sons, who would become future Viscounts. In 1691, John's second daughter, Caecilia Maria, also married.

John Machell was re-elected as MP for Horsham in 1685 and 1689. He continued to hold his seat in Parliament through the 1690s. He was known for supporting the rights of Quakers to make solemn promises instead of taking an oath. He also spoke out against harsh laws.

Later Life and What He Left Behind

John Machell became less active in Parliament in the late 1690s, sometimes due to his health. He did not run for election in 1701.

In his will, written in 1702, John Machell left money to his half-brother Mathew. He also made sure his orphaned granddaughter, Helena Parsons, was cared for.

John Machell's son-in-law, Arthur Ingram, died in 1702. His grandson, Edward, became the 4th Viscount of Irvine while still a student. John Machell died in 1704 and was buried in Horsham.

Most of John Machell's wealth was left to his Ingram grandchildren. He wanted them to use the Machell surname, but they did not. Several of his grandsons later served as MPs for Horsham, continuing the family's political tradition. His daughter Isabella, the Dowager Viscountess Irvine, lived to be 94 years old. She outlived all her sons.

Images for kids

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  Temple Newsam House, where the Viscounts of Irvine lived.