Sir John Molyneux, 1st Baronet facts for kids

Sir John Molyneux of Teversal was an important person in England during the early 1600s. He was known for being the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and for becoming the first of the Molyneux baronets of Teversal. He lived from around 1611 to 1640.

John Molyneux was the son of Thomas Molyneux and Alice Cranmer. His mother, Alice, was related to Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, a very famous religious leader. After John's father passed away, his mother married Sir John Thorold.

John Molyneux might have studied at Christ's College, Cambridge, which is a well-known university. He was listed there in 1598.

Public Service and Titles

Sir John Molyneux held important positions in his community.

What is a High Sheriff?

A High Sheriff was a very important official in a county. They were chosen by the King or Queen to help keep law and order. They also collected taxes and helped with elections. Sir John Molyneux was the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire twice, in 1609 and 1611.

Becoming a Baronet

On June 29, 1611, Sir John Molyneux became the very first of the Molyneux baronets of Teversal. A baronet is a special title given by the King, which is passed down through the family. It's like being a knight, but the title can be inherited.

Family Life

Sir John Molyneux was married twice and had several children.

His first wife was Isobel Markham. Together, they had five children:

• Francis (who later passed away in 1674)
• Thomas
• Mary
• Elizabeth (who passed away in 1638)
• Anne (who lived from 1605 to 1633)

His second wife was Anne Harington, who had been married before. Anne was the daughter of Sir James Harington. With Anne, Sir John had two more children:

• Colonel Roger Molyneux, who worked for Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia
• Frances

In 1609, Sir John Molyneux helped manage the will of Bridget Markham. She was his first wife's sister and also his second wife's sister. Bridget had worked for Anne of Denmark, who was the Queen.

Teversal Manor and Church

Sir John Molyneux made some changes to his home, Teversal Manor, and to the local church.

Changes at Teversal Manor

In 1612, Sir John Molyneux updated Teversal Manor. You could see the year "1612" carved above the entrance door. The dining room in the house had beautiful plaster decorations showing outdoor scenes, like hunting with birds (hawking) and stories from ancient myths. These decorations might have been added during Sir John's time. The house was partly rebuilt much later, in 1811.

Repairs at St Katherine's Church

Sir John also helped with repairs at St Katherine's Church, Teversal. A door in the church's chancel (the part near the altar) had "J. M. 1617" carved into it, showing his involvement.

A Mention in History

In 1617, a writer named Sir Antony Weldon wrote a letter about Scotland. In his letter, he sent good wishes to "noble Sir John Mollineux" and his brother. This shows that Sir John was a well-known person at the time.