John Acland (died 1620)

[5] He was knighted by King James I on 15 March 1604 in the Tower of London, and at a by-election on 27 January 1607, in the first parliament of the reign, became MP for Devon.

[1] It was probably due to Elizabeth's wealth that Acland was able to purchase the manor of Columb John[4] in the parish of Broadclyst.

He purchased the manor of Columb John[4] in the parish of Broadclyst, about 32 miles south-east of Acland, where he re-built the old manor house and its domestic chapel,[4] which he endowed with the annual sum of £25 in eternity "for the encouragement of a chaplain, to preach and read prayers in it every Lord's day".

He gave money to buy bread for the poor in each of the 27 parishes in which he held land[22] and an inscription to Sir John was erected in Pilton Church, near Acland, which is transcribed in Dean Milles' Questionnaire thus:[23] Here Sr John Acland to the poor's a friend, In giving bread noe times to have an end, Sixpence a week by him to us is measured, A crown for him in Heaven's laid up and treasured Sir John Acland's monument in Broadclyst Church was described by Pevsner as "one of the most sumptuous Jacobean monuments in Devon and the most splendid of a related group".

[26] He lies recumbent, in full armour, propped up on his right elbow, with his two widows kneeling at prayer at his head and feet.

[24] The Renaissance style[18] comprises columns, strapwork, cartouches, obelisks, fruit and putti[24] It displays the following Latin inscriptions:[25] Anno Domini 1613; Mors janua vitae (Death is the gateway to life) and the well-known Mors mihi lucrum[27] (Death to me is reward); Post tenebras spero lucem (After darkness I hope for light); Caro mea requiescit in spe (May my flesh rest in hope); A Deo omnis victoria (All victory comes from God).

A rectangular space above his effigy which should have contained a marble tablet inscribed with his epitaph remains blank, as it was in 1697 when described by John Prince.