John Fownes

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.