John Games (bef. 1579 - 1645)

Born before 1579 in Newton, Breconshire, Wales

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 1645 after age 66 in Newton, Breconshire, Wales

Problems/Questions Profile manager: John Gaines [send private message]

Biography

John Games was probably born before 1579. He was the son of Sir John Games and Elizabeth Gwyn. ^[1]

John Games' life was not well-documented; his birthdate is not known, but as his elder brother Edward was Sheriff of Brecknockshire in 1623, Edward was either a great deal older or John, too, must have been born well before 1600.

John Games married Elizabeth Hoo, daughter of RIchard Hoo of Scarning, Norfolk, by 1622, before their oldest son Edward Games was born at Scarning on 14 May 1623 and died the same day. ^[2] The memorial inscription for the child at St Peter and St Paul, Scarning, speaks of a loving husband: "Nearby, the memorial to Edward Games, an infant sonne of John Games of London Esq who died 14 Maii 1623, features the little fellow lying in death, his head on a skull. He was just twelve hours old. Beneath him is a funerall elegie on the death of Edward Games, a long and elaborate tribute to one so tiny. O cruell fate that robdst a doleful mother!" ^[3]

Second son Hoo Games, named for his mother's family, was born the next year and survived, but Elizabeth Games died in 1627/8 and was buried on 8 February in the chancel of the Scarning church of St Peter and St Paul. ^[4] There is no evidence that John Games ever remarried, or when he removed with his son from Scarning, but Hoo's grandfather, Richard Hoo, died in 1629 and was buried 19 June, ^[5] leaving young Hoo Games as heir to half of his considerable estate.

John Games was mentioned in the 1613 will of his father, Sir John Games, Knight, He is left various lands and also 40 pounds towards purchasing chambers at the Middle Temple, London.
The will also names John's brother, Edward Games as son and heir apparent, sole Executor of their father. ^[6]

It seems that John Games died in 1645, before he could take his turn as Sheriff, which seems to have been a sort of hereditary post in the family. ^[7] Poole's account is somewhat confused, as he seems to attribute this date to Hoo Games' son John, which is highly unlikely. John Games, son of Hoo, is otherwise and more reasonably said to have died in 1575.^[8]

Games of Newton Pedigree 01

Sources

1. ↑ Jones, Theophilus. The History of Brecknockshire. vol 2, p. 175. Brecknock: 1805. Games Pedigree
2. ↑ Blomefield, Francis. "Launditch Hundred: Scarning." An Essay Towards A Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: Volume 10. London: W Miller, 1809. 38-47. British History Online. Web. 18 August 2021. Scarning
3. ↑ Norfolk Churches: Scarning. Edward Games
4. ↑ Norfolk : Scarning : St Peter and St Paul : Register of unspecified type : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG : viewed 18 Aug 2021 burial Elizabeth Games 8 Feb 1627/8
5. ↑ Norfolk : Scarning : St Peter and St Paul : : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG : viewed 18 Aug 2021 burial Richard Hoo 19 Jun 1629
6. ↑ Will of Sir John Games, 1613. PROB 11/122/651 Will catalogue entry
7. ↑ Poole, Edwin. The Illustrated History and Biography of Brecknockshire pp. 92-93
8. ↑ Poole, p. 383.