John Proby (died 1710) facts for kids
John Proby was an important English lawyer and politician. He lived from about 1639 to 1710. His family home was Elton Hall in Huntingdonshire, which is now part of Cambridgeshire. John Proby served in the English Parliament and later the British Parliament at different times between 1693 and 1710.
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John Proby's Early Life
John Proby was born around 1639. He was the second son of Sir Heneage Proby and his wife, Ellen Allen.
He went to Jesus College, Cambridge to study. He also studied law at a place called Middle Temple starting in 1657. By 1664, he became a lawyer.
John Proby was the grandson of Sir Peter Proby, who was the Lord Mayor of London in 1622. John inherited Elton Hall from his older brother, Sir Thomas Proby, in 1689. Around 1691, John Proby married Jane Cust.
His Time in Parliament
John Proby became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Huntingdonshire in 1693. He was chosen during a special election. At first, he was supported by a powerful politician named the Earl of Manchester.
He wasn't very active in Parliament at first. In the 1695 election, someone else took his place.
However, John Proby was elected again without anyone running against him in 1698. He was also re-elected in 1701. He supported some important decisions in Parliament during these years.
An Independent Politician
After six years away from Parliament, John Proby was elected again in 1708. This time, he ran on his own. He wanted to be an independent politician. This meant he didn't want to be tied to any specific political group.
In 1710, he voted against the impeachment of Dr. Sacheverell. An impeachment is when a public official is accused of wrongdoing. Even with this vote, he was re-elected again in 1710.
Death and What He Left Behind
John Proby passed away on November 14, 1710, when he was 71 years old. He died before the new Parliament could meet. He was buried at Elton.
He left a lot of money and property to his unmarried daughter. Elton Hall, which he had added a new part to, eventually went to his cousin, William Proby. William was a governor in India. Later, Elton Hall was passed down to William's grandson, John Proby, 1st Baron Carysfort.