Sir John BERNARD of Brampton Park, 2nd Bart.

   Research Notes:

eldest son

Offices Held

Commr. for assessment, Hunts. 1657, Aug. 1660-d., Huntingdon Aug. 1660-1, 1664-d., Mdx. 1673- d. , militia, Hunts. Mar. 1660; j.p. Hunts. Mar. 1660-70, 1673-d.; commr. for sewers, Lincs. Aug. 1660; conservator, Bedford level 1669-75.

Biography

Bernard was descended from a younger son of the Northamptonshire family. His father was recorder of Huntingdon and represented the borough in the Short Parliament. Bernard bought the Brampton estate, two miles from the town, in 1653. A domineering lord of the manor, he used his legal training to drive the smaller freeholders out. With his brother-in-law Nicholas Pedley he defeated the Montagu candidates for Huntingdon at the general election of 1660. But on no Apr. he obtained a pass for Holland, where he could hope to counteract the influence of Edward Montagu I at Court, and perhaps to solicit the baronetcy that was granted to his father in 1662. He was not an active Member of the Convention, serving only on the committee of elections and privileges and on two others of minor importance, and making no recorded speeches. He is likely to have voted with the Opposition.

It is not known whether Bernard stood again at Huntingdon, where his father continued as recorder till removed by the commissioners for corporations. He had the courage to shelter his first wife's father before the Cromwellian chief justice fled the country, and the longstanding conventicle at Brampton may have owed something to his protection, as well as the bishop of Lincoln's tolerance. He either resigned or was removed from the commission of the peace in July 1670, presumably because of his opposition to the Conventicles Act. He stood for the county in November 1673, adjuring the electors to 'come and bring all our friends to deliver us from bondage'. But he was defeated in a heavy poll. He died on 25 June 1679, and was buried at Brampton. His widow married Thomas Mariet.

The History of Parliament, British Political, Social & Local History
John Bernard of Brampton Park
http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1660-1690/member/bernard-john-1630-79

   Marriage Information:

John married Elizabeth ST. JOHN, daughter of Oliver ST. JOHN and Unknown, on 26 Feb 1655-1656 in St. Andrew, Enfield, London, England. (Elizabeth ST. JOHN died on an unknown date.)

   Marriage Information:

John also married Grace SHUCKBURGH, daughter of Sir Richard SHUCKBURGH of Shuckburgh and Unknown, on 30 Aug 1670. (Grace SHUCKBURGH was born in Shuckburgh, Warwickshire, England and died on an unknown date.)