John Povey facts for kids

Sir John Povey (born 1621, died 1679) was an important judge from England. He had a very successful career in Ireland. He served as a Baron of the Court of Exchequer (Ireland). Later, he became the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland from 1673 to 1679. This was a very high position in the Irish legal system.

Early Life and Education

John Povey was born in a place called Woodseaves, near Market Drayton in Shropshire, England. He was the oldest son of a man also named John Povey. He had a famous cousin, Thomas Povey. Thomas was a friend of well-known diarists Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn. Thomas Povey is often mentioned in Pepys' famous diary. Another cousin, Anne Blathwayt, helped connect the Povey family to the powerful Blathwayt family. This connection was very helpful for their careers. John Povey went to Trinity College, Oxford in 1636 to study. He then joined Gray's Inn in 1638. This was a place where lawyers were trained. He became a lawyer in 1645.

A Judge's Career in Ireland

John Povey first arrived in Ireland around 1658. He worked as a legal advisor for Sir John Barrington, 3rd Baronet. Sir John was a politician and landowner. Povey traveled around Ireland, working on legal cases. He became a successful lawyer in Ireland. He decided to move his family to live there. They lived in Dublin and later bought a house called Powerstown House.

Rising in the Legal System

After King Charles II returned to the throne, Povey continued to do well. James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde, who was the King's representative in Ireland, thought highly of him. Also, Povey's cousin Thomas was now working for the future King James II. Povey became a member of the Irish House of Commons. He represented the area of Swords from 1661 to 1666. He also helped with tax appeals. In 1663, he was made the third Baron of the Exchequer. This was a judge in a court that handled money matters for the King. He also joined the King's Inns, a legal society.

Becoming Chief Justice

In 1673, the important job of Lord Chief Justice became available. John Povey and Sir Robert Booth were the top choices. The King's representative in Ireland, Arthur Capell, 1st Earl of Essex, supported Booth. However, King Charles II wanted someone who was more open to different religions, especially Roman Catholics. Booth was seen as too strong a Protestant. Povey was a good choice because of his connection to the future King James II. He was a good compromise. He was given the title of Knight, becoming Sir John Povey. He also received the Freedom of the City of Dublin, which was a special honor. People praised his work as Chief Justice. There was even talk of him moving to a judge's job in England in 1675. But after his wife passed away in 1677, his health started to get worse. He went to France hoping to get better. However, he died in Bordeaux in early 1679. His body was brought back to Ireland. He was buried in St. Michan's Church in Dublin.

Family Life

In 1648, John Povey married Elizabeth Folliott (who died in 1677). She was the oldest daughter of Guthlake Folliott. Her father worked at Worcester Cathedral. Elizabeth's sister, Isabella Folliott Tomkins, was married to the famous Welsh composer Thomas Tomkins. He even wrote a piece of music called Gaillard- the Lady Folliott's for her.

John and Elizabeth Povey had four children:

• John Povey (around 1649–1715) became a Member of Parliament for Mitchell. He married his cousin, Mary Vivian. Mary was the half-sister of William Blathwayt, who held an important government job.
• Charles Povey (around 1651–1743) might have been the writer and businessman of the same name.
• Richard Povey.
• Mary Povey married Dr. William Smyth (1638-1699). He was a Bishop of Raphoe and later a Bishop of Kilmore. Their family became the well-known Smyth family of Barbavilla Manor in County Westmeath.

Images for kids

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  Market Drayton, Shropshire, Povey's birthplace, modern day