John Snell (MP for Devizes) facts for kids
John Snell (born around 1537 – died November 17, 1587) was an important English landowner. He lived in a place called Kington St Michael in Wiltshire, England. John Snell was also a Member (MP) for the town of Devizes in the Parliament of England. He served as an MP from 1580 to 1584.
Early Life and Family
John Snell was the oldest son of Nicholas Snell, who was also a Member of Parliament. His mother was Alice, daughter of John Pye. The Snell family owned a lot of land near the border of Wiltshire and Somerset. This included a large estate called the manor of Kington St Michael.
In 1575, John Snell bought another estate, Eaton Piercy manor. After this purchase, his family owned almost the entire area of Kington parish. This shows they were a very wealthy and influential family in the region.
Public Service Roles
Just like his father, John Snell took on important jobs in his community. Around 1579, he became a Justice of the Peace (JP). A Justice of the Peace was a local official who helped keep law and order. They also handled minor legal cases.
In 1584, John Snell was chosen to be the High Sheriff of Wiltshire. The High Sheriff was a very important official in a county. They were responsible for enforcing laws and managing elections.
Time in Parliament
John Snell became a Member of Parliament for Devizes in January 1580. He was elected during a special election called a by-election. This by-election happened because the previous MP, George Reynolds, had passed away.
John Snell served in Parliament for about four years. However, he did not run for re-election in the general election of 1584. This meant he did not return to Parliament after that year.
Later Life and Legacy
John Snell passed away on November 17, 1587. He was buried in Kington St Michael, the same place where his family owned so much land.
He was married twice. His first wife was Katherine, who died in 1566. They had two sons and three daughters together. His second wife was Susanna, who died in 1570.
His oldest son, Thomas, also became an important figure. Thomas married Anne, the daughter of Robert Long. In 1598, Thomas Snell followed in his father's footsteps and became the High Sheriff for Wiltshire.
