Biography of Geoffrey Palmer 1st Baronet 1598-1670

In 1598 Geoffrey Palmer 1st Baronet was born to Thomas Palmer of Carlton (age 28). In 1616 he was awarded BA by Christ's College, Cambridge University [Map]. In 1619 an MA.

On 14th June 1616 Geoffrey Palmer 1st Baronet (age 18) was admitted to the Middle Temple and called to the bar on 23rd May 1623.

In 1630 [his son] Lewis Palmer 2nd Baronet  1630-1713 was born to Geoffrey Palmer 1st Baronet (age 32).

In 1647 [his father] Thomas Palmer of Carlton (age 77) died.

On 6th June 1655 Geoffrey Palmer 1st Baronet (age 57) was imprisoned in the Tower of London [Map] on suspicion of raising forces against Oliver Cromwell (age 56).

Before 12th June 1655 [his son] Lewis Palmer 2nd Baronet  1630-1713 (age 25) and [his daughter-in-law] Jane Palmer Lady Palmer were married.

On 31st May 1660 Geoffrey Palmer 1st Baronet (age 62) was appointed Attorney General.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 29th June 1660. This day or two my maid Jane [Jane Wayneman] has been lame, that we cannot tell what to do for want of her. Up and to White Hall, where I got my warrant from the Duke to be Clerk of the Acts. Also I got my Lord's warrant from the Secretary for his honour of Earle of Portsmouth, and Viscount Montagu of Hinchingbroke. So to my Lord, to give him an account of what I had done. Then to Sir Geffery Palmer (age 62), to give them to him to have bills drawn upon them, who told me that my Lord must have some good Latinist to make the preamble to his Patent, which must express his late service in the best terms that he can, and he told me in what high flaunting terms Sir J. Greenville (age 31) had caused his to be done, which he do not like; but that Sir Richard Fanshawe (age 52) had done General Monk's (age 51) very well. Back to Westminster, and meeting Mr. Townsend in the Palace, he and I and another or two went and dined at the Leg there. Then to White Hall, where I was told by Mr. Hutchinson at the Admiralty, that Mr. Barlow, my predecessor, Clerk of the Acts, is yet alive, and coming up to town to look after his place, which made my heart sad a little. At night told my Lord thereof, and he bade me get possession of my Patent; and he would do all that could be done to keep him out. This night my Lord and I looked over the list of the Captains,. and marked some that my Lord had a mind to have put out. Home and to bed. Our wench very lame, abed these two days.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 6th July 1660. In the morning with my Lord at Whitehall, got the order of the Council for us to act. From thence to Westminster Hall [Map], and there met with the Doctor that shewed us so much kindness at the Hague, and took him to the Sun tavern, and drank with him. So to my Lord's and dined with W. Howe and Sarah, thinking it might be the last time that I might dine with them together. In the afternoon my Lord and I, and Mr. Coventry (age 32) and Sir G. Carteret (age 50), went and took possession of the Navy Office, whereby my mind was a little cheered, but my hopes not great. From thence Sir G. Carteret and I to the Treasurer's Office, where he set some things in order. And so home, calling upon Sir Geoffry Palmer (age 62), who did give me advice about my patent, which put me to some doubt to know what to do, Barlow being alive. Afterwards called at Mr. Pim's, about getting me a coat of velvet, and he took me to the Half Moon [Map], and the house so full that we staid above half an hour before we could get anything. So to my Lord's, where in the dark W. Howe and I did sing extemporys, and I find by use that we are able to sing a bass and a treble pretty well. So home, and to bed.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 9th July 1660. All the morning at Sir G. Palmer's (age 62) advising about getting my bill drawn. From thence to the Navy office, where in the afternoon we met and sat, and there I begun to sign bills in the Office the first time. From thence Captain Holland and Mr. Browne of Harwich took me to a tavern and did give me a collation. From thence to the Temple [Map] to further my bills being done, and so home to my Lord, and thence to bed.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 10th July 1660. This day I put on first my new silk suit, the first that ever I wore in my life. This morning came Nan Pepys' husband Mr. Hall to see me being lately come to town. I had never seen him before. I took him to the Swan [Map] tavern with Mr. Eglin and there drank our morning draft. Home, and called my wife, and took her to Dr. Clodius's to a great wedding of Nan Hartlib to Mynheer Roder, which was kept at Goring House [Map] with very great state, cost, and noble company. But, among all the beauties there, my wife was thought the greatest. After dinner I left the company, and carried my wife to Mrs. Turner's (age 37). I went to the Attorney-General's (age 62), and had my bill which cost me seven pieces. I called my wife, and set her home. And finding my Lord in White Hall garden, I got him to go to the Secretary's, which he did, and desired the dispatch of his and my bills to be signed by the King. His bill is to be Earl of Sandwich¹, Viscount Hinchingbroke, and Baron of St. Neot's. Home, with my mind pretty quiet: not returning, as I said I would, to see the bride put to bed.

Note 1. The motive for Sir Edward Montagu's so suddenly altering his intended title is not explained; probably, the change was adopted as a compliment to the town of Sandwich, off which the Fleet was lying before it sailed to bring Charles from Scheveling. Montagu had also received marked attentions from Sir John Boys and other principal men at Sandwich; and it may be recollected, as an additional reason, that one or both of the seats for that borough have usually been placed at the disposal of the Admiralty. The title of Portsmouth was given, in 1673, for her life, to the celebrated Louise de Querouaille (age 10), and becoming extinct with her, was, in 1743, conferred upon John Wallop, Viscount Lymington, the ancestor of the present Earl of Portsmouth. B.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 13th May 1665. Home to dinner, and then I abroad to the Atturney Generall (age 67), about advice upon the Act for Land Carriage, which he desired not to give me before I had received the King's and Council's order therein; going home bespoke the King's works, will cost me 50s., I believe.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 1st September 1667. Lord's Day. Up, and betimes by water from the Tower, and called at the Old Swan [Map] for a glass of strong water, and sent word to have little Michell and his wife come and dine with us to-day; and so, taking in a gentleman and his lady that wanted a boat, I to Westminster. Setting them on shore at Charing Cross [Map], I to Mrs. Martin's, where I had two pair of cuffs which I bespoke, and there did sit and talk with her.... [Missing text: "and no mas, ella having aquellos [ those ] upon her"] and here I did see her little girle my goddaughter, which will be pretty, and there having staid a little I away to Creed's chamber, and when he was ready away to White Hall, where I met with several people and had my fill of talk. Our new Lord-keeper, Bridgeman (age 61), did this day, the first time, attend the King (age 37) to chapel with his Seal. Sir H. Cholmly (age 35) tells me there are hopes that the women will also have a rout, and particularly that my Baroness Castlemayne (age 26) is coming to a composition with the King to be gone; but how true this is, I know not. Blancfort (age 26) is made Privy-purse to the Duke of York (age 33); the Attorney-general (age 69) is made Chief justice, in the room of my Lord Bridgeman; the Solicitor-general (age 45) is made Attorney-general; and Sir Edward Turner (age 50) made Solicitor-general.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 17th August 1668. Up, and by water to White Hall, and so to St. James's, and thence with Mr. Wren (age 39) by appointment in his coach to Hampstead, to speak with the Atturney-general (age 70), whom we met in the fields, by his old route and house; and after a little talk about our business of Ackeworth, went and saw the Lord Wotton's (age 25) house and garden, which is wonderfull fine: too good for the house the gardens are, being, indeed, the most noble that ever I saw, and brave orange and lemon trees.

On 5th May 1670 Geoffrey Palmer 1st Baronet (age 72) died. His son [his son] Lewis (age 40) succeeded 2nd Baronet Palmer of Carlton in Northampton. [his daughter-in-law] Jane Palmer Lady Palmer by marriage Lady Palmer of Carlton in Northampton.