Sir John Stonhouse, 3rd Baronet facts for kids
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Sir John Stonhouse, 3rd Baronet (born around 1672, died 1733), was an important English landowner and politician. He was a member of the Tory Party, which was one of the main political groups in England at the time. Sir John served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons from 1701 until he died in 1733.
Sir John's Early Life
Sir John Stonhouse was the oldest son of Sir John Stonhouse, 2nd Baronet. His family lived in a place called Radley. His mother was Martha Brigges.
When he was 17, in 1690, Sir John went to The Queen's College, Oxford University. He also studied law at a place called the Inner Temple. In 1700, when his father passed away, Sir John became the 3rd Baronet. A Baronet is a special title, like a knight, but it can be passed down through the family.
His Time in Politics
In December 1701, Sir John Stonhouse was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for the area of Berkshire. He kept this job for the rest of his life. As a Tory politician, he helped make decisions for the country in the House of Commons.
Building Radley Hall
Starting in 1721, Sir John Stonhouse began building a grand house called Radley Hall. The construction of this large home was finished in 1725. Local builders from Oxford, Bartholomew Peisley III and William Townesend, helped to create this impressive building.
Sir John's Family
Sir John Stonhouse was married two times.
- His first wife was Mary Mellish. They had two daughters.
* One daughter, Martha, married Arthur Vansittart. Their children included Robert Vansittart, Henry Vansittart, and Arthur Vansittart, who also became a Member of Parliament for Berkshire.
- His second wife was Penelope, who was the daughter of Sir Robert Dashwood, 1st Baronet. They had nine children together.
* Three of their sons—John, William, and James—all became Baronets after their father. * One of their daughters, Penelope, married John Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Gower. * Another daughter, Catherine, married Robert Lee, 4th Earl of Lichfield. * Their daughter Anne married Sir William Bowyer, 3rd Baronet. Their son was Sir George Bowyer, 5th Baronet.
Radley Hall eventually went to Sir John's granddaughter, Penelope, Lady Rivers. She was the daughter of his daughter Penelope (from his second marriage) and her first husband, Sir Henry Atkins. Lady Rivers married George Pitt, 1st Baron Rivers. When Sir James Stonhouse (Sir John's son) died in 1792 without marrying, he left Radley Hall to Lady Rivers. After she died in 1795, the house then passed to Sir George Bowyer, 5th Baronet, as per the will.
