John Comyns

[1] He was born the eldest surviving son of William Comyns, barrister, of Lincoln's Inn and his wife Elizabeth, the daughter and coheiress of Matthew Rudd of Little Baddow, Essex.

On the three separate occasions on which he was returned for Maldon, his opponents petitioned against his election, alleging bribery or improper conduct by the bailiff (who was the returning officer for the borough); but their only success was in 1715 when they also accused him of having refused to take the Qualification Oath, and his election, in that case, was declared void on those grounds.

Comyns is the author of Reports of Cases adjudged in the Courts of King's Bench, Common Pleas, and Exchequer.

[3] Around 1726, Sir John Comyns purchased the manor of Shaxstones in Writtle, and commissioned the construction of a new family home on the estate, suitable for a man of his standing.

Completed in 1730, Hylands House was an elegant two-storey red brick building in Queen Anne style architecture.