John Whitwell aka Griffin 4th Baron Howard Walden 1st Baron Braybrooke 1719-1797

Before 13th March 1719 [his father] William Whitwell and [his mother] Anne Griffin were married.

On 13th March 1719 John Whitwell aka Griffin 4th Baron Howard Walden 1st Baron Braybrooke was born to William Whitwell and Anne Griffin.

In 1749 John Whitwell aka Griffin 4th Baron Howard Walden 1st Baron Braybrooke [aged 29] and Anna Maria Schutz were married.

In November 1749 John Whitwel [aged 30] changed his surname to Griffin by Act of Parliament [Whitwell's Name Act 1748, 22 Geo. 2. c. 2 Pr.)] in compliance with his aunt

On 13th August 1762 [his aunt] Elizabeth Griffin Countess Portsmouth [aged 70] died. Her nephew John Whitwell aka Griffin 4th Baron Howard Walden 1st Baron Braybrooke [aged 43] inherited Audley End House, Saffron Walden [Map].

In 1765 John Whitwell aka Griffin 4th Baron Howard Walden 1st Baron Braybrooke [aged 45] and Catherine Clayton Baroness Howard de Walden [aged 17] were married. The difference in their ages was 28 years.

1772. Benjamin West [aged 33]. Portrait of John Whitwell aka Griffin 4th Baron Howard Walden 1st Baron Braybrooke [aged 52].

On 3rd August 1784 John Whitwell aka Griffin 4th Baron Howard Walden 1st Baron Braybrooke [aged 65] abeyance terminated 4th Baron Howard de Walden through the actions of William "The Younger" Pitt [aged 25].

The London Gazette 13020. Whitehall, August 30 [1788]. THE King has been pleased to grant the Dignity of a Baron of the Kingdom of Great Britain to the Right Honourable John Griffin [aged 69], Lord Howard of Walden, Knight of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, and General of His Majesty's Forces, and to the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten, by the Name, Stile and Title of Lord Braybrooke, Baron of Braybrooke, in the County of Northampton; with Remainder to Richard Aldworth Neville [aged 70], of Billingbear, in the County of Berks, Esq; and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten.

The King has also been pleased to grant the like Dignity of a Baron of the Kingdom of Great Britain to the Right Honourable Jeffery Lord Amherst [aged 71], Knight of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, and General of His Majesty's Forces, and to the Heirs Male of His Body lawfully begotten, by the Name, Stile and Title of 1st Baron Amherst, of Montreal in the County of Kent; with Remainder to his Nephew William Pitt Amherst [aged 15], Esq; and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten. [Note. This was the second time Jeffrey Amherst had been created Baron Amherst. The first creation had no special remainder and would become extinct on his death since he had no children. This second creation had a special remainder to his nephew William Pitt Amherst to ensure the Barony would continue; William Pitt Amherst would subsequently be created Earl Amherst. Mary Cary Baroness Amherst by marriage Baroness Amherst of Montreal in Kent.]

On 25th May 1797 John Whitwell aka Griffin 4th Baron Howard Walden 1st Baron Braybrooke [aged 78] died without issue at his home Audley End House [Map]. Baron Howard de Walden abeyant. His tenth cousin Richard [aged 46] succeeded 2nd Baron Braybrooke of Braybrooke in Northamptonshire; John Whitwell aka Griffin 4th Baron Howard Walden 1st Baron Braybrooke was his father's maternal-uncle.

On 15th August 1807 [his former wife] Catherine Clayton Baroness Howard de Walden [aged 59] died.