John Tracy, 1st Viscount Tracy facts for kids
John Tracy, 1st Viscount Tracy (died 1648) was an important English landowner and politician. He served in the English Parliament starting in 1597.
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Early Life and Family Background
John Tracy was the son of Sir John Tracy, who was a high-ranking official called the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1578. His mother was Anne, daughter of Thomas Throckmorton. John Tracy began his legal studies at the Inner Temple in London in November 1580. After his father passed away, John took over his family's estates in February 1592.
Political Career and Public Service
In 1597, John Tracy was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire. This meant he helped make laws for the country. It is believed that King James I made him a knight on July 23, 1603. Later, in 1609, John Tracy became the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, a very important local role.
Becoming a Viscount
On January 12, 1643, John Tracy was given a special title: Viscount Tracy. This title was part of the Peerage of Ireland, meaning it was an Irish noble title. At this time, he was 72 years old or even older. A Viscount is a rank of nobility, just below an Earl and above a Baron.
Family Life
Around 1590, John Tracy married Anne Shirley, who was the daughter of Sir Thomas Shirley from Wiston, Sussex. They had several children, including:
- Robert Tracy, who later became the 2nd Viscount Tracy after his father. Robert married Bridget Lyttleton and later Dorothy Cocks.
- John Tracy of Stanhow, Norfolk. He married Elizabeth Allington.
John Tracy passed away in or before 1648.
