John Parsons (died 1717)

Sir John Parsons (1639 – 25 January 1717) of The Priory, Reigate, Surrey, was an English brewer, Royal Navy victualler and Tory politician, who sat in the English and British House of Commons between 1685 and 1717. He was Lord Mayor of London in 1703.

Reigate Priory today

Origins

John Parsons was born in 1639 and baptised on 28 August at St Botolph without Aldgate, London. He was the son of John Parsons, a brewer, of East Smithfield, London and his wife, Jane.[1] He married, by 1667, Elizabeth Beane, daughter of Humphrey Beane, a cordwainer of Epsom, Surrey.[2] She was born in 1645 (baptised 18 December 1645 in St Olave, Southwark). Elizabeth died before 1677, when Parsons married as his second wife, Jane Milward, on 7 February.[3]

Commercial career

Parsons was the owner of the Red Lion Brewery in East Smithfield, a business he inherited from his father. This brewing business in London was popular for its strong stout, known as "Parson's Black Champagne". The brewery exported beer as well as supplying it locally and had the principal export trade in beer to France.[4] Parsons was joint farmer of excise for Cumberland, county Durham, Northumberland and Westmorland from 1671 to 1674. He was appointed victualler to the navy in 1677 and advanced to Commissioner for victualling the navy in 1683, holding the post until 1689.[1]

Reigate Place

Parsons purchased the Priory estate in Reigate in 1681 as a home for his large family. He commissioned an impressive staircase with fine parquetry for the house.[5] In 1700, a gallery was erected in the south aisle of St Mary's church, Reigate especially for Sir John Parsons of Reigate Priory to house his wife, children and very large family. This remained for 150 years and was used by subsequent owners of the Priory until it was removed in about 1845.

Political career

Parsons was returned as Tory Member of Parliament for Reigate at the 1685 English general election.[1] He was an Alderman of London for Castle Baynard ward in 1687. He was knighted by James II on 15 August 1687 at Windsor Castle [6] and served as Sheriff of London for the year 1687 to 1688. From 1687 to 1688 he was Alderman for Portsoken ward and from 1688 for Bassetshaw.[7] He was admitted to the Brewers Company on 16 October 1688 and was Master of the Brewers Company in 1689. He was elected to the Convention Parliament of 1689 but was unseated on petition on 1 March 1689.[1] At the 1690 English general election, he was returned as MP for Reigate and again at the 1695 English general election. He was defeated at the 1698 English general election but was returned unopposed at the first general election of 1701. At the second general election of 1701 he stood at Reigate and the City of London, and although he received hardly any votes at London, was returned again as MP for Reigate. He was re-elected for Reigate at the 1702 English general election.[8] He translated to the Fishmongers Company on 19 October 1703, and served as Lord Mayor of London for the year 1703 to 1704.[7] [9] He was notable for giving up his official fees for the payment of the City debts.[10]

Parsons stood again for Reigate and the City of London at the 1705 English general election, but was only returned for Reigate where he was unopposed. He was Prime Warden Fishmongers Company from 1706 to 1708.[7] At the 1708 British general election, he was again returned for Reigate. He was returned again at the 1710 British general election. From 1710 to 1714, he was Colonel of the Red regiment in the City militia.[7] He was returned again in 1713 and 1715.[8]

Death and legacy

Parsons died on 25 January 1717 and was buried in Aldgate. His sons Humphrey by his first wife and Henry by his second wife were both MPs. His son, Humphrey, inherited Reigate Priory, and held the estate until 1741.[11]

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References
  1. >"PARSONS, John (1639-1717), of Well Close Square, Ratcliffe, Mdx. and The Priory, Reigate, Surr". History of Parliament Online (1660-1690). Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  2. London Magazine, 1741, p.152
  3. London Metropolitan Archives, St Botolph Aldersgate, Composite register: baptisms 1638 - 1681, marriages 1640 - 1682, burials 1640 - 1681, P69/BOT1/A/001/MS03854, Item 001
  4. Stephen, Sir Leslie, ed.; London, England: Oxford University Press; Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-20, 22; Volume: Vol 15; Page: 402)
  5. The Buildings of England Surrey by Pevsner Nikolaus 1971
  6. Guildhall RO, St. Botolph Aldgate par. reg.; PCC 131 Rivers, 112 Penn, 42 Whitfield; Le Neve's Knights (Harl. Soc. viii), 413; Soc. of Genealogists, Boyd's London Units, 5150, 15796; Mar. Lic. (Harl. Soc. xxiv), 170.
  7. Alfred P Beaven. "'Chronological list of aldermen: 1651-1700', in The Aldermen of the City of London Temp. Henry III - 1912 (London, 1908), pp. 75-119". British History Online. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  8. "PARSONS, Sir John (1639-1717), of Well Close Square, Ratcliffe, Mdx. and the Priory, Reigate, Surr". History of Parliament Online (1690-1715). Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  9. B. Lambert: The History and Survey of London and Its Environs: From the earliest period to the present time, Volume 3 p.363.
  10. Walter Thornbury. "'The Lord Mayors of London', in Old and New London: Volume 1 (London, 1878), pp. 396-416". British History Online. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  11. SURREY COATS OF ARMS https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/36439/Surrey-Coats-of-Arms-I-Z.pdf
Parliament of England
Preceded by
Ralph Freeman
Deane Goodwin		 Member of Parliament for Reigate
1685–1689
With: Sir John Werden 1685-1689
Roger James 1689		 Succeeded by
Roger James
Thomas Vincent
Preceded by
Roger James
Thomas Vincent		 Member of Parliament for Reigate
1690–1698
With: John Parsons		 Succeeded by
Stephen Hervey
Edward Thurland
Preceded by
Stephen Hervey
Edward Thurland		 Member of Parliament for Reigate
1701–1707
With: Stephen Hervey		 Succeeded by
Parliament of Great Britain
Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by
Parliament of England		 Member of Parliament for Reigate
1707–1717
With: James Cocks 1707-1710, 1713-1717
John Ward 1710-1713		 Succeeded by
James Cocks
William Jordan
Civic offices
Preceded by
Sir Samuel Dashwood
Lord Mayor of London
1703–1704		 Succeeded by
Sir Owen Buckingham
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