Sir John Lowther, 2nd Baronet, of Whitehaven facts for kids
Sir John Lowther, 2nd Baronet (born November 9, 1642 – died January 17, 1706) was an important English politician and landowner. He was born in Whitehaven, a town in Cumberland. His father was Sir Christopher Lowther, 1st Baronet. John Lowther studied at Balliol College, Oxford. He served as a Member of Parliament for Cumberland for many years, from 1665 to 1701. He also worked as a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty, helping manage the navy, from 1689 to 1696.
Building Whitehaven: A Town's Growth
Sir John Lowther owned large coal mines near Whitehaven. He worked hard to make these mines and the local port better. He spent a lot of money, over £11,000, to buy more land in the Whitehaven area. He focused on buying land that had coal. He also bought land that would give his mines easy access to Whitehaven harbour. This helped him improve the drainage in his mines.
He helped Whitehaven get permission to hold its own market and fair. He also made sure Whitehaven was recognized as a separate customs port. This meant it could handle its own trade along the Solway coast. He also secured his right to the land between low and high tide in the area. This land included houses, docks, and salt pans in Whitehaven.
Sir John Lowther saw Whitehaven grow from a small fishing village into a busy, planned town. When he was born, Whitehaven had only about 50 houses and 250 people. By the time he died, the 'port of Whitehaven' had 77 ships. These ships could carry about four thousand tons of goods. The port was also exporting over 35,000 tons of coal every year.
Lowther's Family Life
Sir John Lowther married Jane Leigh. They had three children together:
- Sir Christopher Lowther, 3rd Baronet (1666–1731)
- Jane Lowther (1667 – 1730), who did not marry
- Sir James Lowther, 4th Baronet (1673–1755)
Sir John Lowther died in Whitehaven and was buried at St Bees. He left his family's estates to his younger son, James.
