Sir Francis Gwyn

Forde Abbey Forde Abbey - coat of arms in the chapel - perhaps the Gwyn-Prideaux crest Francis Gwyn's Will - page 1 Francis Gwyn's Will - page 2 Francis Gwyn's Will - page 3 Book-plate-francis-gwyn

Sir Francis was born on June 2nd, 1648.  Sir Francis' father was Edward Gwyn and his mother was Eleanor Popham.  His maternal grandparents were Sir Francis Popham and <Unknown>.  He was an only child.  He died at the age of 86 on June 2nd, 1734 in Ford Abbey, Dorset.  He was buried in Buried at Ford Abbey.

• General Notes

  Possibly born about 1655 at Llanasanor, Glamorgan, Wales and possibly died in about 1756 (IGI).
  Francis Gwyn Esq. of Llansanor, Glamorgan married his cousin Margaret Prideaux in 1690.
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Gwyn states he was born at Combe Florey, Somerset, about 1648.
  He trained for the profession of law, but being of ample means he went into politics.
  
  Also known as Sir Francis Gwynne.
  Descended from the Herbert family, the Earls of Pembroke.
  Became Clerk of the Privy Council, and Under Secretary Of State to his cousin Edward, Earl of Conway, and Groom Of The Bedchamber to King Charles II.
  Under King James II was appointed Secretary Of The Treasury under Lawrence, Earl of Rochester, Lord Treasurer. 
  Sir Francis was appointed by King William and Queen Mary as Secretary and Privy Councillor in Ireland under the Earl of Rochester as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
  Under Queen Anne he was appointed as one of the commissioners of trade and plantations.  He was subsequently appointed Secretary At War.
  For many years was Member of Parliament for Wells.
  
  The famous tapestries that hang in the Grand Saloon of Forde Abbey are copies of the cartoons drawn by Raphael for the Sistine Chapel.  Queen Anne presented them to Sir Francis Gwyn, who married Prideaux’s granddaughter, in recognition of his services as Secretary of State for War.
  Queen Anne also made Francis a knight in honour of these same  services.  He became known as "Squire Gwyn".
  Sir Francis came to own Forde Abbey through his marriage to Margaret.
  

Details of Sir Francis' family with Margaret Prideaux of Forde Abbey