Sir John Brownlow, 1st Baronet (c. 1594–24 November 1679) of Belton, near Grantham in Lincolnshire, was twice Sheriff of Lincolnshire[1] and on 26 July 1641 was created a baronet "of Belton in the County of Lincoln". He died without progeny when his baronetcy became extinct. His monument survives in St Peter and St Paul's Church, Belton, showing half statues of himself and his wife finely sculpted in white marble.
He inherited the manor of Belton, Lincolnshire which his father had purchased, and was selected High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1640 and 1665.[3][4]
Marriage
He married Alice Poultney (1606 – 27 June 1676), second daughter and co-heiress[5] of Sir John Poulteney (1585–1617) (or Pulteney) of Misterton in Leicestershire, a Member of Parliament for Wigan in Lancashire in 1601 and 1604, by his wife Margery Fortescue (d.1613), a daughter of Sir John Fortescue (c.1531–1607) of Salden, near Mursley, Buckinghamshire, Chancellor of the Exchequer.[6] The marriage was without progeny. Alice, Lady Brownlow, had almshouses for six women built in 1659.[7][8]
Death and succession
He died on 24 November 1679, aged 89, as is recorded on his monument in Belton Church. As he died without progeny his baronetcy became extinct. His heir to his property was his eldest great-nephew Sir John Brownlow, 3rd Baronet (1659–1697) of Humby, Lincolnshire, who having inherited from him the manor of Belton, built the surviving grand mansion Belton House.
Monument in Belton Church
His monument in St Peter and St Paul's Church, Belton, comprising half statues of himself and his wife finely carved in white marble, is inscribed as follows:
He dyed 24th Nov 1679 aet(atis) 89. Shee dyed 27th Jun 1676 aet(atis) 70. M(emoriae) S(acrum) Neer the dust of his deare Father Richard Brownlow Esquire: his Eldest Son Sir John Brownlow Baronet doth deposit his own. Who for his Sincere Piety towards God; Diffusive Charity to the Poor, Conjugall affection to his Lady; Love and Liberality to his neer Relations; With his Prudent Improvement of his Paternall Patrimony; May be a fair pattern to this and After Ages to follow. And with Him sleepeth in the Lord his beloved Lady Dame Alicia Brownlow Eldest Daughter and Coheir of Sir John Poultney of Misterton in the County of Leicester, Knight, whose Christian Graces and Noble Qualifications joyned to the Beautifull embellishments of both Minde and body, renderd Her the Delight of those who knew Her in this world, and fitly capacitated to the future inheritance of a Better, which she with her deare Husband most fiducially here expecteth Upon the re appearance of Our blessed Lord and Saviour.[9]