John Fownes

John Fownes (1661–1731) of Kittery Court in the parish of Kingswear and of Nethway in the parish of Brixham, both in Devon, was a British landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1714 to 1715. Origin and early life Fownes was the eldest son and heir of John Fownes (1640–1670) of Whitleigh (anciently Whitley) in the parish of St Budeaux, near Plymouth, Devon, by his wife Mary Northleigh (1641–1669), a daughter of Henry Northleigh (1612–1675) of Peamore, Exminster, Devon and sister of Henry Northleigh (1643–1694) of Peamore, thrice MP for Okehampton. His great grandfather was Thomas Fones (died 1638) of Plymouth, Mayor of Plymouth in 1619, who was from Worcestershire and was the first of his family to settle in Devon. In 1681 Fownes married Anne Yard, a daughter of Edward Yarde (1638–1703) of Churston Court, Churston Ferrers, Devon, MP for Ashburton in 1685, and sister of Edward Yarde (1668/9–1735) of Churston Court, MP for Totnes in 1695. After his marriage, he moved to Kittery Court, a fine house near Dartmouth and became a Freeman of Dartmouth in 1701. Later he purchased the fire damaged Nethway House (and estate) in Kingswear, near Dartmouth from the Hody family and carried out the necessary restoration. Career Fownes was a high Tory and was returned as Member of Parliament for Dartmouth at a by-election on 20 March 1714. He did not stand at the 1715 general election when his son was returned as MP for Dartmouth instead.