Biography of John Evelyn 1st Baronet 1682-1731

Paternal Family Tree: Evelyn

On 24th February 1680 [his father] John The Younger Evelyn [aged 25] and [his mother] Martha Spencer [aged 21] were married. He the son of [his grandfather] John Evelyn [aged 59] and [his grandmother] Mary Browne [aged 45].

On 1st March 1682 John Evelyn 1st Baronet was born to [his father] John The Younger Evelyn [aged 27] and [his mother] Martha Spencer [aged 23] at Sayes Court, Deptford [Map]. He was baptised on 2nd March 1682.

John Evelyn's Diary. 9th June 1692. I went to Windsor to carry my grandson [aged 10] to Eton School [Map], where I met my Lady Stonehouse and other of my daughter-in-law's relations, who came on purpose to see her before her journey into Ireland. We went to see the castle [Map], which we found furnished and very neatly kept, as formerly, only that the arms in the guard chamber and keep were removed and carried away. An exceeding great storm of wind and rain, in some places stripping the trees of their fruit and leaves as if it had been winter; and an extraordinary wet season, with great floods.

John Evelyn's Diary. 23rd July 1692. I went with my [his grandmother] wife [aged 57], [his father] son [aged 37], and [his aunt] daughter [aged 23], to Eton [Map], to see my grandson [aged 10], and thence to my Lord Godolphin's [aged 47], at Cranburn, where we lay, and were most honourably entertained. The next day to St. George's Chapel [Map], and returned to London late in the evening.

John Evelyn's Diary. 23rd April 1696. I went to Eton [Map], and dined with Dr. Godolphin, the provost. The schoolmaster assured me there had not been for twenty years a more pregnant youth in that place than my grandson [aged 14]. I went to see the King's House at Kensington. It is very noble, though not great. The gallery furnished with the best pictures [from] all the houses, of Titian, Raphael, Correggio, Holbein, Julio Romano, Bassan, Vandyke, Tintoretto, and others; a great collection of porcelain; and a pretty private library. The gardens about it very delicious.

In 1699 [his father] John The Younger Evelyn [aged 43] died.

John Evelyn's Diary. 17th February 1699. My grandson [aged 16] went to Oxford with Dr. Mander, the Master of Baliol College, where he was entered a fellow-commoner.

On 25th February 1699 John Evelyn 1st Baronet [aged 16] matriculated at Balliol College, Oxford University.

John Evelyn's Diary. 24th March 1699. My only remaining [his father] son died after a tedious languishing sickness, contracted in Ireland, and increased here, to my exceeding grief and affliction; leaving me one grandson [aged 17], now at Oxford, whom I pray God to prosper and be the support of the Wotton family. He was aged forty-four years and about three months. He had been six years one of the Commissioners of the Revenue in Ireland, with great ability and reputation.

John Evelyn's Diary. 5th November 1700. Came the news of my dear grandson [aged 18] (the only male of my family now remaining) being fallen ill of the smallpox at Oxford, which after the dire effects of it in my family exceedingly afflicted me; but so it pleased my most merciful God that being let blood at his first complaint, and by the extraordinary care of Dr. Mander (Head of the college and now Vice Chancellor), who caused him to be brought and lodged in his own bed and bedchamber, with the advice of his physician and care of his tutor, there were all fair hopes of his recovery, to our infinite comfort. We had a letter every day either from the Vice Chancellor himself, or his tutor.

Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans

Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

John Evelyn's Diary. 1st July 1701. My Lord Treasurer [aged 56] made my grandson [aged 19] one of the Commissioners of the prizes, salary £500 per annum.

John Evelyn's Diary. 8th July 1701. My grandson [aged 19] went to Sir Simon Harcourt [aged 39], the Solicitor General, to Windsor, Berkshire [Map], to wait on my Lord Treasurer. There had been for some time a proposal of marrying my grandson to a [his future wife] daughter [aged 26] of Mrs. Boscawen [aged 58], sister of my Lord Treasurer [aged 56], which was now far advanced.

John Evelyn's Diary. 27th December 1701. My grandson [aged 19] quitted Oxford.

In 1703 John Evelyn 1st Baronet [aged 20] was appointed Receiver of Stamp Duties.

John Evelyn's Diary. 16th January 1704. The Lord Treasurer [aged 58] gave my grandson [aged 21] the office of Treasurer of the Stamp Duties, with a salary of £300 a year.

In 1705 John Evelyn 1st Baronet [aged 22] was appointed Commissioner for Prizes.

On 18th September 1705 John Evelyn 1st Baronet [aged 23] and Anne Boscawen Lady Evelyn [aged 30] were married. They had six sons and three daughters.

On 27th February 1706 [his grandfather] John Evelyn [aged 85] died. His grandson John Evelyn 1st Baronet [aged 23] succeeded to his Wotton, Surrey [Map] estates.

On 24th August 1706 [his son] John Evelyn 2nd Baronet was born to John Evelyn 1st Baronet [aged 24] and [his wife] Anne Boscawen Lady Evelyn [aged 31] at Wotton House. He married 17th August 1732 his first cousin Mary Boscawen, daughter of Hugh Boscawen 1st Viscount Falmouth and Charlotte Godfrey Viscountess Falmouth, and had issue.

Around 1708 [his son] Charles Evelyn was born to John Evelyn 1st Baronet [aged 25] and [his wife] Anne Boscawen Lady Evelyn [aged 33].

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

In August 1708 John Evelyn 1st Baronet [aged 26] was appointed joint Postmaster General which he held until 1715 when the Whigs came to power.

On 15th December 1708 John Evelyn 1st Baronet [aged 26] was elected MP Helston at a by-election. He didn't stand for election in 1710.

On 6th August 1713 John Evelyn 1st Baronet [aged 31] was created 1st Baronet Evelyn of Wotton in Surrey. [his wife] Anne Boscawen Lady Evelyn [aged 38] by marriage Lady Evelyn of Wotton in Surrey.

In 1721 John Evelyn 1st Baronet [aged 38] was appointed Commissioner of Customs which he held until 1763.

In January 1723 John Evelyn 1st Baronet [aged 40] was elected Fellow of the Royal Society.

In 1726 [his mother] Martha Spencer [aged 67] died.

On 17th August 1732 [his son] John Evelyn 2nd Baronet [aged 25] and [his daughter-in-law] Mary Boscawen [aged 26] were married. They were first cousins.

In January 1748 [his son] Charles Evelyn [aged 40] died.

On 20th January 1752 [his wife] Anne Boscawen Lady Evelyn [aged 77] died. She was buried at St John's Church, Wotton on 24th January 1752.

On 15 or 18th July 1763 John Evelyn 1st Baronet [aged 81] died. He was buried at St John's Church, Wotton on 22nd July 1763. His son John [aged 56] succeeded 2nd Baronet Evelyn of Wotton in Surrey.