Biography of Oliver St John 1598-1673

Paternal Family Tree: St John

Oliver St John and Elizabeth Oxenbridge were married.

Oliver St John and Johanna Altham were married.

On 25 Jun 1598 Oliver St John was born to Oliver St John (age 23) and Sarah Bulkeley.

Around Apr 1616 Oliver St John (age 17) was educated at Queen's College, Cambridge University [Map].

On 22 Apr 1619 Oliver St John (age 20) admitted at Lincoln's Inn.

In 1626 Oliver St John (age 27) called to the bar.

On 23 Mar 1626 [his father] Oliver St John (age 51) died at Keysoe Bedford.

Before 27 Jan 1631 [his daughter] Johanna St John Baroness St John Lydiard Tregoze was born to Oliver St John (age 32).

In 1634 [his son] Francis St John was born to Oliver St John (age 35) and Johanna Altham.

In 1634 [his daughter] Catherine St John was born to Oliver St John (age 35) and Johanna Altham.

In 1638 Oliver St John (age 39) and Elizabeth Cromwell (age 21) were married.

In 1651 [his son-in-law] Walter St John 3rd Baronet (age 28) and [his daughter] Johanna St John Baroness St John Lydiard Tregoze (age 19) were married.

Pepy's Diary. 07 Feb 1660. So after drinking with Mr. Spicer, who had received £600 for me this morning, I went to Capt. Stone and with him by coach to the Temple Gardens (all the way talking of the disease of the stone), where we met Mr. Squib, but would do nothing till to-morrow morning. Thence back on foot home, where I found a letter from my Lord in character [Note. Private cryptic code. Ed.], which I construed, and after my wife had shewn me some ribbon and shoes that she had taken out of a box of Mr. Montagu's which formerly Mr. Kipps had left here when his master was at sea, I went to Mr. Crew (age 62) and advised with him about it, it being concerning my Lord's (age 34) coming up to Town, which he desires upon my advice the last week in my letter. Thence calling upon Mrs. Ann I went home, and wrote in character to my Lord in answer to his letter. This day Mr. Crew's (age 62) told me that my Lord St. John (age 61) is for a free Parliament, and that he is very great with Monk (age 51), who hath now the absolute command and power to do any thing that he hath a mind to do. Mr. Moore told me of a picture hung up at the Exchange of a great pair of buttocks shooting of a turd into Lawson's mouth, and over it was wrote "The thanks of the house". Boys do now cry "Kiss my Parliament, instead of Kiss my [rump]", so great and general a contempt is the Rump come to among all the good and bad.

Pepy's Diary. 02 Mar 1660. This morning I went early to my Lord at Mr. Crew's (age 62), where I spoke to him. Here were a great many come to see him, as Secretary Thurlow (age 43) who is now by this Parliament chosen again Secretary of State. There were also General Monk's (age 51) trumpeters to give my Lord a sound of their trumpets this morning. Thence I went to my office, and wrote a letter to Mr Downing (age 35) about the business of his house. Then going home, I met with Mr. Eglin, Chetwind, and Thomas, who took me to the Leg in King's street, where we had two brave dishes of meat, one of fish, a carp and some other fishes, as well done as ever I ate any. After that to the Swan [Map] tavern, where we drank a quart or two of wine, and so parted. So I to Mrs. Jem and took Mr. Moore with me (who I met in the street), and there I met W. Howe and Sheply. After that to Westminster Hall [Map], where I saw Sir G. Booth (age 37) at liberty. This day I hear the City militia is put into good posture, and it is thought that Monk (age 51) will not be able to do any great matter against them now, if he have a mind. I understand that my Lord Lambert (age 40) did yesterday send a letter to the Council, and that to-night he is to come and appear to the Council in person. Sir Arthur Haselrigge (age 59) do not yet appear in the House. Great is the talk of a single person, and that it would now be Charles (age 29), George (age 51), or Richard (age 33)-For the last of which, my Lord St. John (age 61) is said to speak high. Great also is the dispute now in the House, in whose name the writs shall run for the next Parliament; and it is said that Mr. Prin (age 60), in open House, said, "In King Charles's". From Westminster Hall [Map] home. Spent the evening in my study, and so after some talk with my wife, then to bed.

Charles II Proclaimed

Pepy's Diary. 08 May 1660. All the morning busy. After dinner come several persons of honour, as my Lord St. John (age 61) and others, for convoy to Flushing [Map], and great giving of them salutes. My Lord and we at nine-pins: I lost 9s. While we were at play Mr. Cook brings me word of my wife. He went to Huntsmore to see her, and brought her and my father Bowyer to London, where he left her at my father's (age 59), very well, and speaks very well of her love to me. My letters to-day tell me how it was intended that the King should be proclaimed to-day in London, with a great deal of pomp. I had also news who they are that are chosen of the Lords and Commons to attend the King. And also the whole story of what we did the other day in the fleet, at reading of the King's (age 29) declaration, and my name at the bottom of it. After supper some musique and to bed. I resolving to rise betimes to-morrow to write letters to London.

Pepy's Diary. 09 May 1660. Up very early, writing a letter to the King, as from the two Generals of the fleet, in answer to his letter to them, wherein my Lord do give most humble thanks for his gracious letter and declaration; and promises all duty and obedience to him. This letter was carried this morning to Sir Peter Killigrew (age 67)1, who came hither this morning early to bring an order from the Lords' House to my Lord, giving him power to write an answer to the King. This morning my Lord St. John (age 61) and other persons of honour were here to see my Lord, and so away to Flushing [Map]. After they were gone my Lord and I to write letters to London, which we sent by Mr. Cook, who was very desirous to go because of seeing my wife before she went out of town. As we were sitting down to dinner, in comes Noble with a letter from the House of Lords to my Lord, to desire him to provide ships to transport the Commissioners to the King, which are expected here this week. He brought us certain news that the King was proclaimed yesterday with great pomp, and brought down one of the Proclamations, with great joy to us all; for which God be praised. After dinner to ninepins and lost 5s. This morning came Mr. Saunderson (age 74)2, that writ the story of the King, hither, who is going over to the King. He calls me cozen and seems a very knowing man. After supper to bed betimes, leaving my Lord talking in the Coach with the Captain.

Note 1. Sir Peter Killigrew (age 67), Knight, of Arwenack, Cornwall, was known as "Peter the Post", from the alacrity with which he despatched "like wild fire" all the messages and other commissions entrusted to him in the King's (age 29) cause. His son Peter (age 26), who succeeded his uncle as second baronet in 1665, was M.P. for Camelford in 1660.

Note 2. Afterwards Sir William Sanderson, gentleman of the chamber, author of the "History of Mary Queen of Scots, James I., and Charles I". His wife, Dame Bridget (age 56), was mother of the maids.

Pepy's Diary. 12 Oct 1662. Lord's Day. Made myself fine with Captain Ferrers's lace band, being lothe to wear my own new scallop, it is so fine; and, after the barber had done with us, to church, where I saw most of the gentry of the parish; among others, Mrs. Hanbury, a proper lady, and Mr. Bernard and his Lady, with her father, my late Lord St. John (age 64), who looks now like a very plain grave man. Mr. Wells preached a pretty good sermon, and they say he is pretty well in his witts again.

Pepy's Diary. 29 Nov 1666. Having writ my letter, I home to supper and to bed, the world being mightily troubled at the ill news from Barbadoes, and the consequence of the Scotch business, as little as we do make of it. And to shew how mad we are at home, here, and unfit for any troubles: my Lord St. John (age 68) did, a day or two since, openly pull a gentleman in Westminster Hall [Map] by the nose, one Sir Andrew Henly (age 44), while the judges were upon their benches, and the other gentleman did give him a rap over the pate with his cane, of which fray the judges, they say, will make a great matter: men are only sorry the gentle man did proceed to return a blow; for, otherwise, my Lord would have been soundly fined for the affront, and may be yet for his affront to the judges.

Pepy's Diary. 06 May 1668. Up, and to the office, and thence to White Hall, but come too late to see the Duke of York (age 34), with whom my business was, and so to Westminster Hall [Map], where met with several people and talked with them, and among other things understand that my Lord St. John (age 69) is meant by Mr. Woodcocke, in "The Impertinents"1. Here met with Mrs. Washington, my old acquaintance of the Hall, whose husband has a place in the Excise at Windsor, and it seems lives well. I have not seen her these 8 or 9 years, and she begins to grow old, I perceive, visibly. So time do alter, and do doubtless the like in myself. This morning the House is upon the City Bill, and they say hath passed it, though I am sorry that I did not think to put somebody in mind of moving for the churches to be allotted according to the convenience of the people, and not to gratify this Bishop, or that College.

Note 1. "Whilst Positive walks, like Woodcock in the park, Contriving projects with a brewer's clerk". Andrew Marvell's "Instructions to a Painter", part iii., to which is subjoined the following note: "Sir Robert Howard, and Sir William Bucknell, the brewer".-Works, ed. by Capt. E. Thompson, vol. iii., p. 405. B.

Before 1670 [his son-in-law] John Bernard 2nd Baronet (age 39) and [his daughter] Elizabeth St John were married. They had one son and eight daughters.

On 31 Dec 1673 Oliver St John (age 75) died.

[his father] Oliver St John and [his mother] Sarah Bulkeley were married.

[his daughter] Elizabeth St John was born to Oliver St John.

Royal Ancestors of Oliver St John 1598-1673

Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 19 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 19 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd

Kings England: Great x 12 Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Son of Malcolm III King Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 24 Grand Son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King Franks

Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King France

Ancestors of Oliver St John 1598-1673

Great x 4 Grandfather: Oliver St John

Great x 3 Grandfather: John St John 7 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John St John 8 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Bradshaigh

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Bradshaigh

Great x 1 Grandfather: Alexander St John 9 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Jenkyn ap Philip

Great x 3 Grandfather: Morgan ap Jenkin Lord of Langstone

Great x 2 Grandmother: Sybil of Lansgtone Manor

GrandFather: Henry Alexander St John 10 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Father: Oliver St John 11 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Oliver St John 12 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

GrandFather: Edward Bulkeley

Mother: Sarah Bulkeley