John Seymour, born about 1633, was the fifth son of William Seymour, 2nd Duke of Somerset and Lady Frances Devereux. His father was a supporter of Charles I and had to pay an enormous fine to Parliament which did not prevent John from receiving an allowance of £600 when he reached his majority and he took himself abroad from 1653-1655. [1]
The restoration of the monarchy revived the fortunes of the family; the forfeited Dukedom of Somerset was granted to his father who did not live to enjoy it, dying on 24 Oct 1660. The title devolved on William Seymour, son of John's deceased brother, Henry. Heir presumptive to a Dukedom John was returned to Parliament as Member for Marlborough in 1661 and, on the 5th of December that year he married Sarah Grimston, daughter and co-heiress of Sir Edward Alston and wealthy widow of George Grimston. [2]NOTE Wikipedia says the marriage occurred in 1656. [3] The marriage was acrimonious perhaps because of John's extravagance and his quarrelsome nature and in 1666 he took lodgings in Gray's Inn to avoid his creditors. [4]
Predecessor William Seymour, 3rd Duke of Somerset |
Duke of Somerset 1671–1675 |
Successor Francis Seymour, 5th Duke of Somerset |
John succeeded his nephew, William Seymour, as the 4th Duke of Somerset in 1671.
He died childless in 1675, and was buried in Salisbury Cathedral. He was succeeded by his cousin, Francis Seymour.[5][6]
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