Fownes was the eldest son and heir of John Fownes (1640–1670) of Whitleigh (anciently Whitley) in the parish of St Budeaux, near Plymouth, Devon, by his wife Mary Northleigh (1641–1669), a daughter of Henry Northleigh (1612–1675)[2][3] of Peamore, Exminster, Devon[4] and sister of Henry Northleigh (1643–1694)[5] of Peamore, thrice MP for Okehampton.
[10] Later he purchased the fire damaged Nethway House (and estate) in Kingswear, near Dartmouth from the Hody family and carried out the necessary restoration.
[11] Fownes was a high Tory and was returned as Member of Parliament for Dartmouth at a by-election on 20 March 1714.
He did not stand at the 1715 general election when his son was returned as MP for Dartmouth instead.
His eldest son was: Fownes presented to St Mary's Church, Brixham, a 44 ounce silver flagon dated 1704 with a Dublin hallmark.